Bacardi Cruise Competition winner announced

A Filipino bartender has fought off competiton from more than 2,500 other cruise line mixologists to be crowned winner of the Bacardi Cruise Competition 2015.

Firmalo’s floral gin Martini, Passion Blossom 13, will now be available on board cruise liner MS Oosterdam

Gerome Firmalo, of cruise line Holland America, impressed with his Passion Blossom 13 cocktail – a floral gin Martini.

His recipe of equal quantities Bombay Sapphire gin and St-Germain elderflower liqueur with passion-fruit syrup, lemon sour and cranberry juice will now be available on board the MS Oosterdam, on which he works.

In addition Firmalo was awarded US$5,000 and will receive further training and development opportunities from Bacardi to hone his skills during the next year.

Zachary Sulkes, regional manager of Bacardi Travel Retail Americas, said: “The Passion Blossom 13 embodies what we look for in a cocktail.

“It achieves the perfect mix of ingredients, a well balanced flavor and simplicity that will appeal to cruise vacationers. This was a close battle, and Gerome is a worthy winner.”

The competition began in 2005 to help develop the next generation of cruise bartenders and offers educational workshops to enhance entrants cocktail skills and industry knowledge within the cruise market.

Sulkes added: “Cruise is an important strategic channel for Bacardi Global Travel Retail and this competition helps drive category growth for our cruise and ferry line partners.

“It’s a fantastic showcase for our brands, especially given the increasing numbers of consumer groups from emerging markets who are new to cruise.”