Havana Club selects Cocktail Maestros finalists
The global finalists of the second edition of Havana Club Cocktail Maestros have been revealed.
The team-based bartending competition debuted in 2024, with Greece’s Panos Minoudis and Andreas Giaprakas taking home the €10,000 (US$10,290) prize and a set of crystal decanters of Havana Club Icо́nica Máximo.
This year’s first rounds featured more than 550 teams from 25 countries, which have now been whittled down to a single pair from each country – a total of 22 teams.
The national finals were hosted at live trade events or through in-bar demos, with local industry leaders taking on the responsibility of judging.
To earn their spot, the duos had to create Cuban-inspired cocktails that ‘capture the flavour, energy, and artistry at the heart of Havana Club’. Teams were scored on taste, flair, and presentation, as well as their chemistry and ability to hero the quality and versatility of Havana Club’s portfolio.
“Havana Club Cocktail Maestros is an international celebration of culture, creativity and self-expression behind the bar,” said Alfredo Guerra, global brand ambassador for Pernod Ricard-owned Havana Club. “We’ve been very impressed by the passion, precision and the way each duo brings their creative spirit to life – and with the next stage on the horizon, the best is still to come.”
The next stage of the competition is the three regional finals, which will be held in Europe, Asia and the Americas in autumn.
These will be two-day experiences designed to enhance the teams’ skills and deepen their collaborative mindset.
Alongside cocktail challenges, the teams will receive mentorship from bar industry leaders and attend educational sessions based on Havana Club’s heritage, craft, and cultural significance.
Points earned during the regional finals will contribute to each team’s overall score for the global finals, which will take place in Havana in April 2026.
The finals in Havana will culminate in The Great Havana Hustle, where participants will take part in a one-night-only shift in the city.
“This is a rare opportunity for bartenders to elevate their craft on a global stage through mentorship, cultural exchange and hands-on experiences,” said senior brand manager Maxime Chevalier.
“Havana Club Cocktail Maestros aims to create a space for professional growth, meaningful industry connections and a deeper understanding of what Havana Club represents for Cuban rum – all while celebrating the talent and creativity that drive our industry forward.”
The global finalists are:
- Canada: Linh Phan and Samantha Fulmer
- Colombia: Andrés David Pineda Muñoz and Daniel Parra
- Cuba: Mario Luis Acosta Batista and Alejandro Fleites Socarras
- Mexico: Luis Miguel Cardona and Modesto Lozada
- Austria: Corina Tschallener and Claudia Tschallener
- Bulgaria: Anton Grigorov and Vasil Shopov
- Czech Republic: Ondřej Císař and Marek Šimůnek
- Finland: Jami Kalliorinne and Casimir Snellman
- France: Sara Leonor Sá de Sousa and Leandro José Alves de Sousa
- Greece: Fotis Gavalas and Christos Sgouromallis
- Germany: Csaba Schneider and Eric Bergmann
- Italy: Raffaele Manetti and Davide Corazza
- Kazakhstan: Daria Bezhina and Irina Lyulko
- Norway: Chris Poland and Chris Kellett
- Romania: Andrei Bertalan and Octavia Ripeanu
- Spain: Francisco Javier Rodríguez and Camila Giraldi
- Switzerland: Rafael Gloor and Dominik Fuchs
- UK: Blaise Bachelier and Ryan Smith
- Wild card: Afonso Fernandes and Francisco Serrador
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