Trinidad triumphs at Angostura GCC

Trinidadian bartender Neal Ramdhan has won the 2016 Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge, securing a $10,000 prize and the Angostura global brand ambassador title.

Neal Ramhdan (centre) has won the 2016 Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge

Held on 7 February at the House of Angostura, Laventille, Trinidad, the eighth Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge (GCC) final saw 12 bartenders from across the world compete with a Freestyle cocktail, which had to feature Angostura Orange Bitters, and a Rum cocktail, created using one or more of Angostura’s rums, plus the brand’s bitters.

Both cocktails were created and presented to the judging panel within a strict seven-minute limit. For 2016, head judge and noted author and mixologist Jeff “Beachbum” Berry led chef Kathy Kasey, London-based renowned career bartender Esther Medina Cuesta, 2014 Angostura GCC winner Michael Tomasic, and Angostura senior manager quality assurance, Carol Homer, in their cocktail assessments.

Ramdhan’s Freestyle recipe, Bitter Mayan, was named best in its category and included 45ml Angostura 7 Year Old Rum, 15ml St Germain, 15ml Beetroot Nectar, 15ml Fresh Lime Juice, and a dash of Angostura Orange Bitters.

His Rum cocktail, Resurgence, comprised 45ml Angostura 5 Year Old Rum, 15ml Aperol, 10ml Oleo Saccharin, a pinch of salt, and five dashes of Angostura Aromatic Bitters.

“I can’t believe I’ve won such a prestigious competition – to be representing Trinidad was amazing,” said Ramdhan, pictured centre.

Looking forward to his brand ambassador role, he added: “I’m most excited about educating others on Trinidad’s culture, and increasing understanding of Angostura’s rums and bitters.”

South Africa’s Dino Jose Batista (left) took second place overall and best Rum Cocktail with his The Sanctuary serve, while Canada’s Jonathan Strokowski Ross (right) placed third.

The remaining nine finalists were Cameron Attfield of New Zealand, James Irvine of Australia, Daniel Vestman Erikkson of Sweden, Manachain Monaghan of the UK, Seo Yong Won of South Korea, Matheus de Freitas Cunha of Brazil, Nikita Khlopyanov of Russia, Paul Peterson of St. Maarten and Elizabeth Mickiewicz of the USA.

The preliminary Angostura GCC rounds saw 900 entrants whittled down to 287 participants from 36 countries. These competitors then competed in regional finals, where the 12 victorious bartenders emerged.

Angostura GCC takes place biannually in Trinidad over Carnival weekend. See the March edition of The Spirits Business for the full story.