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Havana Club Cocktail Maestros returns

The Cocktail Maestros team-based bartending competition from Havana Club will return for a second year.

Havana Club Maestros
Panos Minoudis and Andreas Giaprakas took home the prize at the inaugural Cocktail Maestros

Havana Club Cocktail Maestros debuted last year, bringing the global bartending community together through education, cocktail mastery, and cultural immersion.

Contestants worldwide will participate in national qualifications and regional challenges, with finalists invited on a four-day trip to Havana to discover Cuba’s ‘vibrant energy and the brand’s unique cultural legacy’.

The winning team will receive a €10,000 (US$10,290) cash prize.

Maxime Chevalier, senior brand advocacy manager at Havana Club, said: “Havana Club and mixology share an entwined history. It’s safe to say that the rum category and Havana Club would not be where it is today without the support and creative energy of the bartending community.

“This competition is a chance for us to give back and provide a platform to the incredibly talented bartenders around the world. Much more than a cocktail contest, Havana Club Cocktail Maestros brings the community together through shared cultural experiences, in-depth brand education and training. It’s an opportunity for us to take those at the heart of industry on a journey through Havana Club’s rich and diverse heritage and the artistry behind our exceptional rums.”

The brand’s website is now accepting applications from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

This year, contestants can partner with someone from a different venue within the same country.

The top 10 teams from each country will advance to the national finals, where they will create a Cuban Afro-Latin-inspired cocktail for a dedicated local jury.

The duo that impresses the most with creativity, flavour, and teamwork will qualify for both the regional challenges and the global finals in Havana in April 2026.

The finalists will also participate in the Great Havana Hustle challenge, testing their skills during a bar shift and showcasing their expertise, hospitality, and teamwork abilities.

The winners will be selected by a panel of industry icons, including drinks expert Sandrae Lawrence and brand associate Simone Caporale.

Competition details and dates within each territory are now available on the Havana Club website.

Last month, the US blocked the Cuban trademark for Havana Club under Joe Biden’s ‘No Stolen Trademarks Honoured in America Act of 2023’.

The brand is applying for a geographical indication for Cuban rum with the European Union.

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