Bacardi Global Travel Retail has announced the three finalists for the 2017 Bacardi Legacy Cruise competition.
Each entrant was required to create their own cocktail using Bacardi Superior, Bacardi Gold or Bacardi Ocho (8) Años. Entries were judged on the inspiration and story behind the recipe as well as the technical and taste aspects of the creation.
“There’s so much talent out there in the cruise and ferry bartender community and every year we see more of it coming through at higher levels than before.” – Bacardi Global Travel Retail International Account Manager (Cruise) Zachary Sulkes
The three finalists and their creations are:
Miroslav Kliajic (Carnival Cruises) – last year’s competition winner returns with the ‘Artista Mundano’. The cocktail, a twist on the Bacardi Old Fashioned, features Bacardi Ocho (8) Años, Bacardi Coconut, Acacia honey water, fresh lemon juice and almond oil served with lemon zest. Kliajic’s recipe conjures up the magic of travelling and the flavours and experiences that have made a mark on his journey from home in Croatia to cruising in the Caribbean.
Pedro Pascual Rosario (Celebrity Cruises) – Rosario’s inspiration for his creation ‘La Romana No. 8’ is based on the umami that comes from pairing coffee and rum. It features Bacardi Ocho (8) Años, velvet falernum, sweet vermouth, fresh brewed coffee and angostura bitters. La Romana No. 8 is also the name of Pedro’s family home in Dominican Republic.
Wade Cleophas (Norwegian Cruise Line) – started his bartending career 12 years ago in his hometown of Cape Town. His creation ‘Legend Reviver’ is inspired by classic cocktails with spices reminiscent of travelling to exotic places. It features Bacardi Ocho (8) Años mixed with star anise infused sweet vermouth, caramel/cinnamon syrup with drops of whisky barrel aged bitters and finished with a mist of Absinthe.
The next stage of the competition invites finalists to embark on a three-month promotional campaign to publicise and build support for their drink ahead of the cruise finals in Miami in February 2017. The winner will then go on to compete in the global finals in Berlin in May 2017.
Each of the three finalists receives US$1000 and a trip to Miami for the cruise finals. The winner will receive a further US$4000 and a trip to Berlin for the global finals.
Bacardi Global Travel Retail International Account Manager (Cruise) Zachary Sulkes commented: “There’s so much talent out there in the cruise and ferry bartender community and every year we see more of it coming through at higher levels than before. The quality of the bar experience for cruise guests goes from strength to strength driven by the passion for professional development amongst the crew themselves and the commitment from cruise lines to invest in their teams.
“Our ambition is for the Bacardi Legacy Cruise competition to continue its role as a platform for professional growth in the cruise industry.”
