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Desi Daru crowns first Culture Colliders winner
British-Indian vodka brand Desi Daru has named Vitor Sousa the winner of its inaugural cocktail competition, Culture Colliders.
Sousa, assistant bar manager at The Churchill Bar & Terrace in London, beat seven other finalists at the Samba Room in London’s Heron Tower on 22 July with his cocktail ‘Duke of Goa’.
In second place was Anthony Orme from London’s The Royal Cocktail Exchange with his cocktail ‘Dabba Highball’, while Aniket Pawar from The Thin White Duke in London took third place, with ‘Desi Cuppa Tea’.
The winner was chosen by judges Aneet Kaur, co-founder of Desi Daru, Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, and Sukhinder Singh, co-founder of Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Exchange, and founder of Elixir Distillers.
“We were all very impressed with the finalists who presented today – everyone put in their best efforts, and every single cocktail was so unique and tasted fantastic, and it was a hard decision to choose our top three. In the end, the balance of mango vodka in the cocktails and the presentation gave our winners the edge,” commented Kaur.
“Overall, it was a really special event, especially against the perfect backdrop of the Samba Room. We really want to thank everyone who joined us for the finals and entered our first-ever Culture Colliders competition. And once again, congratulations to Vitor, Anthony and Aniket for truly outstanding cocktails.”
Sousa and the other finalists were challenged to create a cocktail using one traditionally British ingredient and one traditionally Indian ingredient. This represented the British-born Indian heritage of the brand’s owners, Mohit Singh and Kaur.
The winning cocktail, Duke of Goa, featured smoked paprika-infused Desi Daru Mango Vodka, a homemade English mustard cordial, fresh lemon juice, and a handful of coriander leaves, served in a glass rimmed with fine salt and smoked paprika powder.
As the Culture Colliders Champion 2024, Sousa received a £2,000 (US$2,580) cash prize, a meal for two at Michelin-starred Benares in London, a trip to the Desi Daru distillery in Oxfordshire, and the Culture Colliders trophy.
“Belonging to the exclusive group of people that made it to the final in the Desi Daru Culture Colliders, featuring what is likely the best mango-flavoured vodka in the world, was a significant achievement for me. Winning the competition was just the cherry on top of the cake,” said Sousa.
“I am thrilled that while celebrating and championing both Indian and British culture, along with their historical ties and cultural fusion, I could also honour and showcase my own culture and heritage. Additionally, I feel fortunate to have met amazing people who share a passion for cocktail culture, extended my industry connections and started new relationships.”
The Desi Daru Culture Colliders competition will return in 2025.
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