Bacardi Legacy 2020 competition moves online

Bermuda-based Bacardi will host the global final of its 2020 Legacy cocktail competition in a virtual format this year and is offering all finalists the chance to secure a US$5,000 grant.

In March 2020, the global final of the Bacardi Legacy cocktail competition was postponed ‘until further notice’ due to the coronavirus pandemic. The competition was due to be held in Miami, Florida, from 1-7 May.

The 2020 global final will be held online in June this year and streamed live, with the winner revealed on 30 June.

Bacardi said it has now revised the competition format to allow all entrants the opportunity to receive US$5,000, which will help fund a project that seeks to support the industry’s recovery. Bars across the world have been closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The El Coco grants, named after the palm tree planted outside the first Bacardi distillery in Cuba, will be paid directly to each of the 2020 global finalists following receipt of their venture idea.

“We are happy to confirm that our amazing competitors from 2020 will finally have their opportunity to compete for the title, and I’m so proud that the Bacardi Legacy gran familia will be putting its arms around them and some real support behind them this year as they persist in an industry that has suffered great challenges,” said Dickie Cullimore, global brand ambassador, Bacardi rum.

“It really felt like we needed to do something that offers them a real and immediate boost and also a springboard towards the recovery our creative and resilient industry will surely achieve.”

In May 2019, Bacardi crowned Ronnaporn Kanivichaporn the victor in its Legacy Cocktail Competition, making him the first bartender representing an Asian country to win the contest.