MIXOLOGISTS battled it out at Tom at 101 in a bid to become the king of cocktails.

The northern heat of UK Bartenders' Guild National Cocktail Competition was held in Stockton Heath on Tuesday.

The overall winner was 26-year-old Plamen Pitropski from Tom at 101 with his cocktail, ‘Poppers’ which included lemongrass liqueur, cherry brandy and citron vodka with a popping candy glass rim and lime garnish.

He joins runners-up Les Fry and Steven Savill from Voodoo Café and Tom at 101 respectively in London for the National Cocktail Challenge Final in London on October 20.

Jake Beaverstock, from Voodoo Café, also went through after impressing judges with his 'technical ability'.

The winner of the national final will go on to represent the UK at the International Bar Association's World Cocktail Championships 2016 in Tokyo.

The competition is sponsored by De Kuyper.