Nathan Gittins "Mr Smooth", of Eichardt's Private Hotel, and Richard "The Colchester Geeza" Bisdee, of Bar Up, go head-to-head at Debajo, under the watchful eyes of Queenstown Resort College hospitality management tutor Paul Tudgay and Gibbston Valley Wines sales and export director Claudio Heye.
Either Mr Gittins or Mr Bisdee will be paired against another semifinalist and given their assignments to prepare their shows for the following two weeks.
Neal Otter, of Bar Up, Venetia Tiarks, of Skybar, and Connor Sainsbury Canham, of Debajo, have won their respective heats over the past three weeks to claim their place in the semifinals.
Debajo owner Jason Clark said cocktails will be judged on taste, balance and use of innovative techniques.
"Competitors are encouraged to wow the crowd with personalities, extensive knowledge and imaginative presentations, as they will be voted on this by the audience," he said.
"There are basically no rules, other than the classic cocktails must be done with a twist to make them modern and exciting."
Mr Clark said competitors have 10 minutes to produce their drinks.
Each week, one bartender is eliminated and the other will make it through to the semifinal and then the final.
"Each Thursday we will draw the cocktail and competitors to compete the following week.
"Each week prizes will be up for grabs, getting bigger and better, as the competition goes on until the final, to be played out on July 1.
"This is a great chance for bartenders to show off their skills to the public to entice them to drink with them in their respective bars over winter."
The competition runs at Debajo, on Thursdays, from 7pm to 10pm.
