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Casa del Daiquiri crowns champion
Ron Santiago de Cuba has named Mr Fox in Croydon, UK, as the winner of its inaugural Casa Del Daiquiri competition.
The Cuban rum brand launched the Casa del Daiquiri competition to find the top Ron Santiago de Cuba Daiquiri creations around the world, and saw professional bartenders compete to demonstrate their knowledge of the brand by creating their own bespoke Daiquiri.
The top four cocktails were selected in a semi-final showdown by a judging panel comprising Ron Santiago de Cuba brand ambassador Tommy Cole; global rum ambassador Ian Burrell; and Time Out food and drink editor Leonie Cooper.
The brand partnered with Time Out to promote the top four cocktails across its channels. The serves were then entered into a final vote, which saw judges from Time Out visit the selected bars to sample the cocktails, where they were scored against a set criteria to determine the winner.
Inspired by Cuban sunset beach barbecues, the winning serve, Platáno de Fuego, was created by Mr Fox’s head bartender Yaw Asante using flavours of caramelised plantain and scotch bonnet chillies.
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Posting on the Mr Fox Instagram page, Asante said: “This cocktail pays homage to the vibrant ingredients and flavours that shaped a generation. Growing up in a Ghanaian household I was exposed to a lot of ingredients that are also native to Cuba and surrounding countries.
“The Ron Santiago de Cuba Casa del Daiquiri competition gave us the perfect opportunity to create a drink that truly celebrates both cultures. With just one whiff of this remarkable rum, we knew we had to pair it with some heat. Imagine a picturesque sunset beach BBQ, sizzling with beautifully seasoned spicy meats, accompanied by fried plantains and grilled pineapples. That’s the essence of ‘Platano de Fuego’.”
The serve was described by the judges as being “a really creative drink, with unusual ingredients. Spicy and sweet: perfectly balanced. The team is amazing; the head mixologist was so passionate, and I loved the use of plantain for the garnish.”
The Mr Fox team has won the opportunity to attend Bar Convent Berlin in October 2023, with flights and accommodation included, as well as a bespoke influencer case with Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 11-year-old.
In addition, the winning serve will be inducted into the Casa del Daiquiri Hall of Fame.
In second place was Bill Protheroe from Hawksmoor Air Street, who presented the Jennings-Whey Daiquiri, and received a bespoke influencer case with Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 11-year-old.
Third place went to Giuseppe Quartararo from Nightjar, Shoreditch, with the Habana Vieja, and fourth place went to Gabriele Staltari from London’s Trailer Happiness with the The Underdog. Both received a personalised bottle of Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 11-year-old.
Daiquiri Week
In addition to the brand’s Casa del Daiquiri competition, Ron Santiago de Cuba Daiquiri Week took place from 17-23 July around the world, which enabled consumers to enjoy the creations of the Casa Del Daiquiri bartenders in any of the 87 participating bars.
Over the course of the week, consumers enjoyed 5,700 Daiquiris, an increase of 128% from last year, which the brand said signifies the ‘growing appreciation’ of Ron Santiago de Cuba.
Ron Santiago de Cuba’s Extra Añejo 11 Years Old won a Gold medal at the The Rum & Cachaça Masters 2023.