Team Italy Wins the Seventh Annual 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand, March 21, 2011 - In the most fiercely contested competition in its seven year history,
crowd favourites Team Italy tonight won the 2011 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup.

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(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110321/MM67371 )

Right from day one, Italy made up of Danielle Dalla Pola, Alexander
Frezzai and Luca Sai established itself as the contestants' favourite, each
challenge bringing with it a new outfit and a new concept. But despite their
sartorial style, they remained at the bottom of the points table- until
tonight's flawless performance. Their final drink 'Elisir d'Amore' was
described by the judge Jacob Briars as 'incredibly well balanced and totally
surprising.'

Italy took home the prestigious title and the trophy by less than half a
percentage point, with USA in second place and Scotland in third. USA were
classy as ever with their delivery of their 1920's inspired 'P.T. Pear Fizz'
and Scotland produced 'Let's Get Fizzical' in slightly disturbing black and
white lycra bodysuits.

But the judges were unanimous in their praise for Italy, a team which
judge Salvatore 'Maestro' Calabrese said perfectly illustrated the
'brotherhood of bartending.' Not only did they produce a drink that pushed
the boundaries of their craft, they delivered it as only an Italian can, with
pure flourish. "All week we had been behind in the competition, we never
thought we would win so we decided we would just have a great party. Our win
means so much to Italy and Kia Ora Queenstown, we may well move here," said
Alexander Frezzai.

New York based judge and best selling drinks writer David Wondrich said
the competition was the hardest he had ever judged, "the standard of the
competitors and the competition itself is like nothing I have ever
experienced before. I have been blown away by my week in Queenstown."

After a week of challenges in and around Queenstown the seven teams from
London, Europe, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Italy presented
their 'signature' drink to four judges including New Zealand bartending
legend and 42BELOW global vodka professor Jacob Briars, Australian Bartender
of the Year Jason Williams, cocktail author and historian David Wondrich and
the 'godfather' of the UK drinks scene, Salvatore Calabrese.

The grand final event was held under a spectacular big top marquee at the
Lake Hayes Showgrounds, just outside Queenstown, with hundreds of guests
delving into the magical, mystical world of the carnival with an extravaganza
of performers, sideshows and the best in mixology.

For more information, interviews and images contact Belinda@42below.com.

A selection of the event's best images are available for download at
www.photobucket.com/home/42BELOWCWC/index

For more information and press releases from the week go to
www.cocktailworldcup.com

    RECIPE OF THE DAY:
    ------------------
    2011 COCKTAIL WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS TEAM ITALY

    Elisir D'Amore
    45 ml pineapple and black pepper-infused 42BELOW
    5 ml lavender-infused 42BELOW
    20 ml limoncello
    15 ml orange, lemon and Ginger syrup
    5 ml Chambord
    50 ml fresh pineapple juice
    2 dashes Fernet Branca

    Shake with ice. Strain into a bottle, serves two.

Belinda Henley, +64-21-414-000, belinda at 42below.com