Trois Rivières cocktail competition champion

Bartender Nicola Battafarano triumphed in the final of the inaugural Trois Rivières Rhumbellion cocktail competition, which took place in Martinique last week.

Nicola Battafarano has been named winner of the first Trois Rivières Rhumbellion cocktail competition

The six finalists were challenged to create a trilogy of cocktails comprising three drinks each made using a different expression of Trois Rivières agricole rhum and of different abv strength.

Held at Domaine des Fonds Blancs in Martinique, the finalists included Battafarano,former bartender at Chiltern Firehouse in London; Kelly Ballett of Lulu white, Paris; Thomas Girard of Hexagone, Paris; Cathy Mutis of Kjub, Luxembourg; Filip Stránsky of Anonymous Bar, Prague; and Ben Tyler of Little Red Door, Paris.

But it was bartender Battafarano who impressed the judges with his ‘True People’ trilogy – inspired by the sugarcane plantation workers of Martinique – which included creations, called Breakfast A.O.C., The Butterfly Effect and Dark Sip, which was a pre-bottled cocktail paired with a cigar, dried meal worms and capers.

As winner, Battafarano was awarded a rare aged expression of Trois Rivières agricole rhum and a four-day all expenses paid trip to a European city of his choice.

All finalists were awarded with a Trois Rivières barrel to take home and the entire collection of Trois Rivières rhum expressions.

“It feels amazing to have won this competition,” said Battafarano. “The competition was really intense because all the competitors were of a high level.

“I worked really hard to win this contest and it feels wonderful. I feel ready for the next competition now.

“The lead up to the competition was quite stressful because I spent so many months preparing and thinking of possible ideas, what glasses I want to serve my drinks in.

“But once I was behind the bar I felt relaxed and knew exactly what I wanted to say and show to the judges. I’m so happy.”

Sitting on the judging panel were Hannah Van Ongevalle, owner and bartender of The Pharmacy, Belgium; Nicolas De Soto, owner and bartender at Mace, New York; Laurence Marot, journalist at Spirit Hunters, Barmag and L’Express; Alexandre Vingtier, founder and writer of Rumporter; Nathalie Guillier-Tual, president Groupe BBS, owner of Trois Rivières; and Melita Kiely, senior staff writer at The Spirits Business.