The Bacardí Legacy cocktail competition is now open for entries, with changes to the way it is run this year.
Bartenders are again being challenged to come up with a cocktail that is worthy of becoming a new classic alongside other Bacardí drinks such as a Mojito and a Daiquiri.
They can not only use Bacardí Carta Blanca and Bacardí Carta Oro but, for the first time, their recipe can feature the rum’s eight-year-old expression, Bacardí Ocho.
Another change for this year is that, instead of selecting three “most promising” UK finalists to compete in promoting their cocktails to bars and consumers, there will be only one bartender chosen from five regional heats held around the country.
The five regional winners will compete for the UK top spot at an event in London on November 8 which will also feature finals for bartenders from other parts of Northern Europe.
The UK winner will automatically go through to the global final in Berlin in spring next year but will still embark on a five-month promotional campaign to promote their drink.
Ahead of the regional heats, recruitment inspiration seminars will take place across the UK throughout July and early August. These will provide a better understanding of what the judges will be looking for from the bartenders and their cocktail creations.
Entries in the UK are open until September 11. To enter, bartenders in the UK must register their interest and submit their cocktail recipe and its inspiration by email to UK brand ambassador Metinee Kongsrivilai at mkongsrivilai@Bacardi.com.
Metinee said: “Bacardí has been at the heart of cocktail culture since the very beginning; rum classics such as the Mojito and Daiquiri that grace bars all over the world today simply wouldn’t have been created if it wasn’t for Don Facundo Bacardí Masso creating his revolutionary rum, Bacardi Carta Blanca, back in 1862.
“Just as Don Facundo’s creation has inspired past generations of bartenders, we want to continue his legacy and inspire today’s bartenders to challenge themselves and create a legacy of their own.
“We’re thrilled with the changes we’ve made to the competition for 2017. Having just one ‘most promising’ from each country allows each brand ambassador to give their full support to their competitor in the run-up to the grand final, and, given the personal and supportive nature of the competition, this is incredibly important to us.”
Representing the UK at this year’s global final in San Francisco was Iain Griffiths (pictured) from Dandelyan at the Mondrian London hotel. The overall winner was Gn Chan from Angel’s Share in New York City.
Metinee added: “Iain Griffiths did an amazing job representing the UK in the 2016 competition and I can’t wait to find out what talent is out there this year. Let’s do it, UK!”
Now in its ninth year, the competition has not only inspired innovative drinks from talented bartenders from some of the top bars in the world but it has also created a network of bartenders who share a bond formed by taking part in this unique competition. Many have seen their careers go from strength to strength after taking part.
For further information about the Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition, visit www.bacardilegacy.com or check the Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BacardiLegacyGlobalCocktailCompetition.
Click here for our archive of stories about Bacardí Legacy.
Updated July 14, 2016 with extended deadline.
