Pictured above: Final yr’s winners, Sons of Cuba from Athens
One letter involves thoughts after we take into consideration Havana Membership Cocktail Maestros: that’s ‘C’. As in connection, neighborhood, collaboration and tradition. Clearly, it takes in creativity, cocktails and the competitors itself, after which after all, there’s Cuba. Oh, and an enormous fats cheque for a really good €10,000 for the winners should you please.
As judges, we noticed how all of those components got here into play within the inaugural Havana Membership Cocktail Maestros competitors final yr, and slightly birdie tells us that they are going to be very a lot within the forefront within the second version which launches at present.
Learn on to search out out what’s what…
1. What’s the story?
As soon as once more, Havana Membership are making it their mission to deliver the worldwide bartending neighborhood collectively by the entire ‘Cs’ talked about above. However there’s extra. Unfold over an 16 month interval, operating from entry in January 2025 by to the worldwide finals in April 2026, a lot of that point will concentrate on a devoted schooling programme designed to help and encourage everybody participating.
And we’ve got to say, it’s value it. The participating we imply. The winners of their respective regional finals are assured a visit to Havana for the worldwide finals and 4 days of cultural immersion in one of the vital vibrant cities on the earth.
Final yr the itinerary took in a variety of tremendous cool experiences, together with an unique tour of the San José Distillery led by the Maestros del Ron Cuban; a tour of a really completely different variety, this time by the town within the enjoyable and fabulous yellow Bubble taxis; a boxing session with elite Cuban trainers; getting behind the bar at La Floridita, and it wouldn’t have been a go to to Havana with out driving in one of many vibrant, basic Nineteen Fifties vehicles.
If it appears like enjoyable, that’s as a result of it was and HCCM#2 seems to be prefer it’s going to be even larger and higher, with opponents from throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas within the combine.
2. What’s the entry course of?
We’ll get on to that bit in a minute. You might have observed that we talked about that the €10,000 cheque was for the winners – not win-ner. That’s as a result of the very first thing it’s a must to do is is buddy up with somebody. In contrast to most cocktail competitions, that is very a lot a crew affair. Final yr, Havana Membership Cocktail Maestros was all about partnering with somebody who labored in your bar, this time you possibly can cross pollinate, teaming up with a bartender from any bar within the nation – that could possibly be a good friend, somebody whose skills you admire or possibly you will have a sibling who works in one other venue? The selection is yours (and theirs, obvs), the final word purpose is to foster neighborhood throughout the trade and show that outdated adage of two heads being higher than one to be appropriate.
3. What’s subsequent?
You and your teammate have to plan a serve. Naturally, the bottom must be made up of Havana Membership rum – at the very least 30mls of Cuba’s best. Then that is the place your creativity is available in, it’s a must to create a scrumptious, fantastically balanced cocktail utilizing two selfmade components (excluding garnish): one in all which may be fully your alternative, the opposite have to be Afro-Latin impressed – assume components reflecting African, Spanish, Caribbean traditions, reminiscent of cumin, tamarind, cardamom, cocoa and limes.
When you’ve each blissful along with your drink, it’s time to get your entry in! Merely head to havana-club.com/en/havana-club-cocktail-maestros and submit your recipe, along with two pictures, one in all your cocktail with the Havan Membership bottle and one in all your crew, serve and Havana Membership bottle earlier than by the required date in your area (see havana-club.com/en/hccm2-applications) for particular dates. Then preserve every little thing crossed.
4. What are the varied competitors phases?
All entries will first be judged by paper and the highest 10 will get an opportunity to indicate off their abilities IRL at their nationwide finals. The successful crew will go on to the regionals for an additional new factor to the competitors – a sequence of coaching classes unfold over two days the place they’ll work collectively and accumulate factors earlier than heading off to Cuba in 2026.
5. What they’re saying
“This competitors is an opportunity for us to provide again and supply a platform to the extremely proficient bartenders all over the world,” says Maxime Chevalier, Senior Model Advocacy Supervisor, Havana Membership. “Far more than a cocktail contest, Havana Membership Cocktail Maestros brings the neighborhood collectively by shared cultural experiences, in-depth model schooling and coaching.
“It’s a chance for us to take the pioneers of the trade on a journey by Havana Membership’s wealthy and various heritage, its distinctive Cuban spirit, and the artistry behind our distinctive rums.”
6. What’s the timeline?
2025
15 January: World launch (see havana-club.com/en/hccm2-applications for entry dates in your particular area
Round March: Paper judging and Prime 10 groups from every nation introduced relying on native calendars
From March to June: Nationwide Last Judging and nationwide winners announcement
October/November: Two-day coaching classes and challenges for Regional Finalists
2026
April: Havana Membership Cocktail Maestros World Finals in Cuba
All through the method, there will probably be a devoted schooling programme designed to help and encourage everybody participating.
7. What that you must do
To search out out extra in regards to the competitors and how one can enter, go to havana-club.com/en/hccm2-applications
Good luck!
