After months of unwavering dedication, and endless passion, Liquor.com is excited to announce that Will Isaza & Melina Meza will go on to represent the U.S. and compete at the Global Legacy Competition sponsored by BACARDI in Amsterdam. Challenged to create more than just a great cocktail, the contestants had to craft a recipe that will stand the test of time and become a part of BACARDí history.
“In its 11th year, the 2019 Liquor.com Legacy Cocktail Competition, presented by BACARDí, has evolved both with quantity and quality of submissions,” says Juan Coronado, National Brand Ambassador for BACARDí Rums. “The Legacy cocktail competition is the type of event that bartenders win with their hearts, not just their cocktail shakers. The journey is something they will never forget, bringing with them the network of industry professionals they now call friends and forever linking them to La Gran Familia de BACARDI.”
Will Isaza of Massachusetts and Melina Meza of Los Angeles competed against 24 semifinalists before going head to head with the final eight at the February 7th U.S. Finals in Puerto Rico. Vying for the title of creating the next timeless classic rum cocktail, Will Isaza took his spot with his “Gloria” recipe, and Melina Meza with her “Nueva Sol” cocktail, both using BACARDí Añejo Cuatro Rum, one of BACARDI’s new premium variants. The two U.S. Finalists will make their way to Amsterdam in May 2019 to present their innovative creations on the global stage and face the challenge with competitors from around the world.
Presented by BACARDí, The Liquor.com Legacy Cocktail Competition showcases the best drink innovations in the cocktail industry, providing a platform for bartenders to share their original creations and stories to become a part of the Legacy heritage. Tasked with creating the next generation of classic rum cocktails that will stand the test of time, contestants are to use BACARDÍ Carta Blanca, BACARDÍ Carta Oro, BACARDÍ Añejo 4, or BACARDÍ Reserva 8 rums in their cocktails and should contain no more than six ingredients. Each cocktail is judged on the recipe concept, how easy it is to replicate; and the inspirational story behind it. Balance, flavor, quality of ingredients and aesthetic appeal, are also strongly considered.
The Winning Recipes are:
Gloria: Will Isaza of Brookline, Massachusetts
1.25 parts BACARDí Añejo Cuatro rum
.75 parts Passion Fruit Cinnamon Syrup
.75 parts Lime Juice
.25 parts coffee liqueur
1 barspoon Mascarpone Cheese
Garnish with a mint sprig
Preparation: Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker and shake for 12-15 seconds. Strain into zombie glass and fill with crushed/pebble ice. Garnish and serve.
Nuevo Sol: Melina Meza of Los Angeles, California
1.5 parts BACARDí Anejo Cuatro rum
.25 parts Amontillado Sherry
.25 parts French Dry Curacao
.75 parts Grapefruit Oleo Saccharum
.75 parts Fresh Lime Juice
Garnish with Nutmeg Dust
Preparation: Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice. Shake vigorously. Finestrain into a coupe. Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg and a small flower.
This year’s Liquor.com National Legacy Cocktail Competition was judged by an expert panel of industry professionals, bartenders, ambassadors and mentors including: AK Hada, Bar Manager in NYC, French Scotty Marshal, a 2018 U.S. Global Legacy Finalist, GN Chan, the Global Legacy Champion in 2016, and Joe Gomez, the BACARDí Master Blender. As Juan Coronado says, “when you’re able to put together the best bartenders in the U.S. with the best panel of judges and ambassadors, your outcome is a true legacy that lives beyond the glass and in the hearts of all involved.”
The 2019 Liquor.com Legacy Global Cocktail Competition presented by BACARDí will hold its Grand Finale in Amsterdam where a panel of modern-day hospitality and bartending legends in will decide who will be crowned with the coveted Global title. Melina and Will are honored to represent the U.S. in the Global competition and can’t wait to for either one of them to take home the ultimate trophy in cocktail competition and secure their place in cocktail history.
