Last night 100’s of bartenders descend on London to see who was going to be representing the UK at this year’s Global Bacardi Legacy Final.
The format of the Legacy comp meant we also got to find out which three bartenders would be fighting it out over the next year to represent the UK in 2014.
The night isn’t, however, just about the competition, it has become one of the biggest nights in the bartenders calendar and a great opportunity to catch up with friends from across the country.
Last year’s event was going to take some topping, but a massive congratulations must go to Shervene Shahbazkhani and the rest of the Bacardi team for smashing it. The quirky building had been decked out superbly and the drinks, supplied by Paul Mant and Joe Stokoe’s company Heads, Hearts and Tails, were not only very tasty but extremely abundant.
In fact looking at the team the guys had put together for the night I felt distinctively sorry for anyone having a drink out in town, it seemed the cities bartenders were either making drinks or… well drinking them.
Sitting alongside Daiquiris and Pina Coladas were the cocktails created by the 2012 three most promising, Dan Bovey of Sahara Bar, Reading, Chris Moore of The Savoy, London and Gordon Purnell of Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh. This was the culmination of a year’s work marketing their drinks around the world (more about their exploits here) and they nervously milled around whilst 8 bartenders, picked from a host of regional heats, competed to be one of this year’s 3 Most Promising.
They quality of the presentations, to what must be one of the most intimidating rooms in competition history, were superb and the crowd were kept highly entertained. Shervene was on hosting duties and after a nerve wracking wait whilst the judges contemplated the top three were announced.
Huge respect to Sam Kershaw of Babington House, Nelson Bernardes of Good Godfrey’s at the Waldorf Hilton and Tom Walker of the American Bar at The Savoy. They will be following in some pretty big footsteps to promote their drinks (recipes below) over the next year.
The big announcement of the evening though was still to come. Who would be representing the UK at the Bacardi Legacy Global Finals?
That honour goes to Chris Moore. BarLifeUK wishes him best of luck at the Global Final and we look forward to the inevitable street party when he brings the trophy back with him.
You can see a video of him mixing up his winning drink the Encantador below.
Favourite Frost, Sam Kershaw
- 50ml Bacardi Superior
- 25ml Pineapple infused Kamm & Sons
- 15ml Martini Bianco
- 15ml Fresh lime juice
- 2 Barspoons caster sugar
- 2 Dashes The Bitter Truth Grapefruit Bitters
- Egg white
Dry shake, shake with ice and strain into a ‘dainty’ coupe. Add grapefruit zest and discard.
Perfect Host, Nelson Bernardes
- 50ml Bacardi Superior
- 25ml Fresh lime juice
- 20ml Apple juice
- 17.5ml Gomme syrup
- 15ml Egg white
- Celery
- Basil
Muddle the celery in the bottom of the shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients and dry shake. Shake with ice. Double strain into chilled coupette and garnish with ground black pepper.
Maid in Cuba, Tom Walker
- 60ml Bacardi Superior
- 30ml Lime juice
- 15ml Simple syrup
- Small handful of mint
- 3 Slices of cucumber
- Absinthe (for rinse)
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker, don’t muddle. Add ice, shake and double strain into a large coupette rinsed with adsinthe. Top with aplsh of soda and garnish with a slice of cucumber.