Six bartenders have been chosen to move onto the finals in Miami on September 5th 2014. Five crew memebers were selected by the judges and the 6th finalist, Vera Restarovic from Carnival Conquest, Carnival Cruise Lines, was chosen by woters of the partner - Cruise Critic. The world renowned Bacardi Cruise Competition is an international platform for bartenders onboard cruise and ferry lines to represent their ship and showcase their exceptional skills and innovative cocktails.
This year’s competition is devoted to the inspired cocktail. Each onboard bartender has a unique perspective on what makes the perfect cocktail – inspired by the flavors, the people and the places you’ve experienced in your travels. You live life in the moment, where every day means a new adventure and perhaps even a new location. We want to see this come through in your submission, from your passion and bold spirit, to your creativity and innovation. Show us what inspires you.
This year, we’ve also decided to narrow the focus back to the roots of the competition, the expertly crafted cocktail. There will be four (4) rounds to narrow down all eligible bartenders onboard cruise or ferry lines around the world to just six (6) international finalists that will compete in Miami, Florida for the title of The Bacardi Bartender of the Year.
The six finalistst are:
LIISI KÜTT Representing TALLINK SILJA
With SUMMER FAIR COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS
• 2 parts Bacardi Grand Melon
• 2 parts Martini Prosecco
• 2 parts apple juice
• 0.5 parts simple syrup
• fresh lime juice (half lime)
METHOD
Shake all ingredients, besides Martini Prosecco. Strain in a wine tulip glass filled with ice and top it off with prosecco. Garnish with a slice of melon, apple and a few geranium flowers for that magic touch.
The main inspiration for this cocktail actually came from the product itself. Bacardi Grand Melon is one of my favorite spirits with its smoothness and mellow taste. Its versatile and has wonderful aroma. I wanted to create a light, magical drink to enjoy together with great music and wonderful weather on the sea.
IOANA LUNCEAN Representing CARNIVAL SUNSHINE
WITH BREATH OF FRESH AIR
INGREDIENTS
• 2 parts Bacardi Superior
• 1 part fresh lemon juice
• 1 part Monin Lemongrass syrup
• 3 cucumber slices
• 3-4 basil leaves
• St-Germain foam
• lemon zest
METHOD
In a mixing glass muddle the basil and cucumber. Add Bacardi, fresh lemon juic, lemongrass syrup and ice and shake vigorously. Double strain into a chilled martini glass and then top the cocktail with foam. Using a micro plane, grate a light amount of lemon zest over the cocktail and garnish with a sprig of basil. St Germain Foam: In a sauce pan combine 1 part boiling water 0.5 tablespoon of gelatin powder. Mix until the gelatin is dissolved and then let cool. Once room temperature, add 1.5 parts St-Germain and 1 part cold water. Allow the mixture to get down to at least 40ºF. Pour mixture into a cold 1 pint ISI thermo whip and charge with 2 NO2 canisters. Shake very well.
The freshness of the drink brings the sense of the morning breeze somewhere in a late afternoon! Inspired from all the exotic places where fresh air fills you up with life and the bubbly sea that spreads the playful foam tickling your toes!
BRIAN BENT REPRESENTIN CARNIVAL LIBERTY
WITH POSEIDON
INGREDIENTS
• 2 parts Bacardi Oakheart
• 0.75 parts fresh lemon juice
• .5 parts simple syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
• 5 basil leaves
• 1.5 parts Ginger Beer
METHOD
Lightly muddle the basil and then add all ingredients except Ginger Beer into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and then double strain into a highball glass with fresh ice. Top it off with ginger beer and garnish with a sprig of basil.
A guest was feeling seasick and asked me to come up with a cocktail for him. I combined basil and Angostura bitters, both known to settle stomach as well as ginger which has anti-nausea properties. The guest also wanted something that tasted light and fresh. When the guest sipped the cocktail, he named it on-the-spot, Poseidon, God of Seas.
ALLAN GARCIA REPRESENTING NCL STAR
WITH SUPERIOR BREEZE
INGREDIENTS
• 1.5 parts Bacardi Superior
• 0.5 parts St-Germain
• 1 part Ginger beer
• 1 part fresh orange juice
METHOD
Add all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime and lemon wheels.
Superior Breeze is a refreshing summer cocktail inspired by bartenders who started making citrus cocktails way back from 19th century hoax.
JOEPED GARRIDO REPRESENTIN NCL GETAWAY
WITH GREEN NATURE
INGREDIENTS
• 1.5 parts Grey Goose infused with lemon grass
• 0.5 parts Elderflower liqueur
• 2.5 parts white cranberry juice
• 7 ice cubes infused green tea
• fresh lemon juice
• fresh cucumber juice
• honey
METHOD
Infuse Grey Goose with lemon grass. Make 7 ice cubes with green tea, fresh lemon juice, fresh cucumber and honey. Pour Grey Goose into a shaker with 2 green tea infused ice cubes and white cranberry juice. Shake well and pour into a double rocks glass with 5 green tea infused ice cubes. Garnish with lemongrass stick and lemon twist.
I wanted to create a cocktail exploring the latest new cocktail trends.
VERA RESTAROVIC - PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER REPRESENTING CARNIVAL CONQUEST
WITH BLACK SUNRISE
INGREDIENTS
• 2 parts Bacardi Razz
• 1 part Monin Passion Fruit
• 1 part pineapple juice
• 0.25 parts lime juice
• 0.25 parts Sprite
• 3 blackberries
METHOD
Muddle blackberries, then combine all ingredients with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Top with Sprite and then garnish with a blackberry on a pick.
This cocktail was inspired by a wonderful day I spent in South Beach Miami with a friend last year. We had a great day on the beach and then at sunset, I remember a perfect sunset and then a dark sky full of stars. The dark sky looks the same as my cocktail.
