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Equiano reveals global cocktail competition
The world’s first African and Caribbean rum brand, Equiano, has launched its inaugural international cocktail competition.
Aaisha Dadral, Amanda Kakembo, Ian Burrell and Oli Bartlam founded the Equiano Rum Co and launched the company’s first namesake expression in 2019.
The cocktail competition encourages bartenders around the world to submit a unique recipe, inspired by Africa and the Caribbean, using Equiano’s award-winning portfolio.
The Equiano rum portfolio includes Equiano Original and Equiano Light.
Ian Burrell, Equiano co-founder and global rum ambassador, said: “Over the years, I’ve judged my fair share of cocktail competitions and we wanted to put our own spin on it, encouraging everyone to be inspired by the life of Olaudah Equiano, as we have, and to draw on the wide-ranging influences of Africa and the Caribbean to create something special with Equiano rums.”
Entries will be assessed by a panel of expert judges, led by co-founder and global rum ambassador Ian Burrell.
All finalists will receive prizes, including a £2,000 (US$2,700) cash prize for the winner and a year’s supply of Equiano Rum. Finalists will also have the opportunity to be featured in The Equiano Rum Co Cocktail Book, due to be launched globally in 2022.
The competition is open to both professional and enthusiast bartenders alike. Submissions must include the ingredients, method, story behind the drink’s creation, who or what inspired the cocktail, and an image of the cocktail along with details of its ‘interesting narrative’.
The competition was named after the story of the company’s namesake, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, which follows the life of the writer, entrepreneur, abolitionist and freedom fighter Olaudah Equiano. Born in south Nigeria in 1745, Equiano was kidnapped at 11 years old and enslaved. However, he paved his way to liberation through selling rum.
Burrell added: “We recognise that it’s been a challenging few years for the international on-trade, so we decided early on that we would be offering cash prizes to the top five bartenders, with a whopping cheque for the overall winner.”
The deadline to enter is 30 April 2022 at midnight GMT. ‘Hometender’ winners and bartender finalists will be announced in May.
The bartender final will be held in London on 13 June 2022, and will also be streamed online.
To enter, or for more information, visit equianorum.com/competition.