It is one of the most well-known spirits in the world and earlier this week Bacardi united top mixologists for the USBG Legacy Cocktail Competition semi-finals in Washington, D.C.
The goal of the competition is to find a mixologist who can create a legendary Bacardi-based cocktail in the same vein as the piña colada and the Hemingway daiquiri.
D.C. hosted 10 of 120 preliminary finalists selected to compete regionally in various cities across the U.S. The line-up included three of the the Districts best:
- Eugene Barnett of Star & Shamrock
- Jake Kenny of Columbia Room
- Kapri Robinson of Dirty Habit DC
“This was a good opportunity to represent the bartenders who don’t really get that much light on them but make good cocktails. I’ve been mostly a dive bar bartender and no one every expects me to make good cocktails,” said Barnett. A second generation Washingtonian, he has been bartending for eight years.
Kenny is a newbie to the D.C. bar scene but brings more than a decade of experience from his previous work in some of New Orlean’s top watering holes. He’s excited to be in D.C. and believes the city’s cocktail scene is “is experiencing an amazing revitalization.”
The only female in the D.C. semi-finals, Robinson was excited to show some ‘girl’ power behind the bar “It is great to be one of those people that others look to and come to a bar to see.” D.C. regulars might recognize Robinson from her previous work at Farmers Fishers Bakers and Founding Farmers.
Despite each of the District’s contestants making outstanding drinks (see recipes bel0w), the winning cocktail for the D.C. semi-finals was created by Darnell Holguin of New York City.
“SOMETHING UNEXPECTED” by Eugene Barnett
- 1 oz Bacardi Superior
- 1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
- 1 oz Peach Syrup
- 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3 dashes Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters
- 3 Thai Basil Leaves
“THE DILEMMA OF RICK BLAINE” by Jake Kenny
- 2 oz Bacardi 8
- 1 barspoon Laphroaig 10 year
- 1 barspoon Tamari Simple Syrup
- 1 dropper Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters
“HARMONY” by Kapri Robinson
- 1.25 oz Bacardi 8
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Homemade Pecan Syrup
- 1/4 oz Crème de Cacao
- 2 dashes Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters
- 2 barspoons Apricot Jam
“IT WAS ALL A DREAM!” by Darnell Holguin
- 1.5 oz Bacardi 8
- 2 oz Orange Juice
- 1.5 oz House-made Passion Fruit Condensed Milk
- 1/3 oz Averna
- 1/4 oz Allspice Dram
