Havana Club debuts team-based bartending contest

Pernod Ricard-owned Havana Club rum has unveiled a new cocktail contest centred around teamwork, named Havana Club Cocktail Maestros.

The competition is designed to ‘set the stage for a new era in the cocktail world’. Putting a strong emphasis on teamwork, €10,000 (US$10,700) will be on the line, as well as a trip to Havana, Cuba.

For the concept, the brand is inviting applications from teams of two bartenders from across the globe, including the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, Cuba, Brazil and China.

Entrants will then embark on a series of team-building challenges leading to a final showdown in Havana.

Ludmilla Stephkov, international brand director at Havana Club, said: “Bartenders across the globe have always been at the heart of our story, which is exactly why we’re committed to supporting and collaborating with them.

‘‘This year, we are delighted to unveil Havana Club Cocktail Maestros, a competition rooted in a team mindset, brand education, cocktail expertise and cultural immersion.

‘‘This isn’t just about mixing the best drinks; it’s about celebrating a unique blend of cocktail mastery and hospitality skills within the bartending community.’’

The competition

The first challenge is titled Liquid Harmony with entries open from 20 November to 22 January.

Judged by industry representatives, teams are tasked with making a bespoke cocktail using Havana Club rum alongside two homemade ingredients, then taking a ‘stunning’ image of their cocktail alongside a team photo, and finally entering their submission through the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros landing page.

If successful, teams will move onto the national and regional finals, before the remaining eight teams advance to the global final – held from 15-18 April 2024 in Havana.

Over the course of a four-day trip, the finalists will tour the San José Distillery hosted by the brand’s rum makers and participate in team-building activities.

In the final itself, challenges will see teams take part in The Cocktail Mastery challenge and The Great Havana Hustle where they’ll host a bar shift to ‘highlight real-life hospitality mastery and celebrate the collective energy’.

The winning prize being €10,000 and a bottle of Havana Club Máximo Extra Añejo.

“We’re looking forward to reviewing entries and crowning the first ever Havana Club Cocktail Maestros champions whilst offering an unforgettable journey into the world of Cuban culture and craftsmanship’’, added Stephkov.

To ready entrants before the contest gets going, Maestro Sessions will be offered, which are a set of educational films presided over by industry leaders – covering topics of liquid, flavour, hustle and expression.

Fancy yourself as a bartending whiz? Entries for Havana Club Cocktail Maestros open on Monday 20 November, where you and a partner can apply on the the brand’s website.

Havana Club is one of the world’s biggest-selling rum brands, and earlier this year, it pledged to cut its carbon footprint through a variety of eco-friendly initiatives.

Last year, the brand crowned Collectif Nude as its inaugural Party Makers competition winner, which celebrates artists in the nightlife industry.