Dan Miles, from Eichardts Hotel, and Jason Clarke, from Debajo, are two of six New Zealand bartenders taking on 45 of the best from around the world, after topping the Christchurch regional competition earlier this week.
Two other regional competitions were held in Auckland and Wellington to find the four other New Zealand representatives.
More than 100 bartenders from around the country were invited to compete - to win, the bartenders needed to be passionate supporters of 42BELOW and have a unique and tasty cocktail to impress the judges.
The winners were selected on criteria including performance, drink appearance, taste and technique.
Mr Miles' cocktail, Sir Ed, in homage to Sir Edmund Hilary, included date-infused 42BELOW, Nepal Masala tea, Central Otago apricot, lemon and honey.
Mr Clarke also stuck to his New Zealand roots, with his cocktail named Carbonoir, comprising manuka honey-flavoured vodka, After Dark Central Otago pinot noir and raz cherries, accompanied by cherry and pinot noir spheres.
Judge Guy Randall said the cocktails stood out for their "great Kiwi themes".
"Dan created a unique taste with his blend of flavours and Jason impressed us with his new school stirification techniques; all in keeping with the 42BELOW brand."
Co-judge Jimmy Somerfield said the pair's performances, knowledge and interaction sealed the deal.
"Dan's expertise on Sir Edmund Hilary was superb and Jason was very creative.
"His molecular mixology and hand-made glasses - created from 42BELOW vodka bottles - was highly original."
Regarded in mixology circles as the Olympics of cocktail making, the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup is the only event of its kind in the world.
The 45 bartenders, representing 15 countries, will arrive in Queenstown to begin the competition on September 9.
The week-long event will see the bartenders' skills tested in various extreme activities, including bungy jumping, the Shotover Jet and being helicoptered into an adrenaline-fuelled combat.
Knock-out rounds will be held all week before the top teams battle it out with their cocktail concoctions at the final event, hoping to take home the title for their country.
On September 11 the public can taste cocktails in various Queenstown bars, where bartenders will be showing off their skills.
Competitors in the 2008 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup are expected from Australia, the United States, the British Isles, Europe, China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
