BACARDÍ Legacy announces Australia's top three bartenders

Last night at the semi-final cocktail party held at The Beaufort in Melbourne, this year’s BACARDÍ Legacy Three Most Promising were announced, with the trio progressing to the National Final in the 2017/2018 BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition.

Now in its fifth chapter, the top three: James Irvine, Vini Wang and Zachary Mynott will challenge the best contemporary bartenders in the world to create their own legacy; a cocktail that will stand the test of time as the daiquiri and mojito have.

The three successful bartenders have triumphed through initial entries from a selection of the 30 contestants, and competed in the Top 8 Semi-Final judged by Sam Bygrave, Alissa Gabriel and Greg Sanderson.

Now only the National Final in February stands between them and their chance to represent Australia at the BACARDÍ Legacy Global Final in Mexico City.

“The next step for these aspiring bartenders is to promote their cocktail throughout Australia and the world, getting as many people to taste, hear about and list their drink, proving it could become the next cocktail to last the test of time,” says Loy Catada who, along with fellow BACARDÍ Brand Ambassadors, Peter Hollands and Andy Wren, will personally mentor these three competitors on their pursuit for a spot in Mexico City.

The Top 3 will be hosted in Sydney on November 27 at the Legacy Summit Day to prepare them for the road ahead. They will have exclusive access to BACARDÍ’s digital, PR and social media team as well as inside tips from previous Legacy finalists.

Then, at the National Final in February 2018, only one of the finalists will be selected based on the success of their Legacy cocktail and overall campaign to join the leagues of Dave Kerr, Fred Siggins, Alissa Gabriel and Andrew Bennett.

Three Most Promising Cocktail Recipes:

1. James Irvine: The Swillhouse Group, NSW 
Don Murcielago 
50ml BACARDÍ Ocho 
12.5ml De Kuyper Crème de Bananes 
10ml Noilly Prat 10ml Palo Cortado Sherry 
Garnish: 3 Drops Rosemary Oil

2. Vini Wang: Hains & Co, SA
Aja
60ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca
30ml Lime juice
15ml Orgeat syrup
5ml Fresh Ginger juice
2g Grated Wasabi
4 drops Saline
Garnish: Mint leaf

3. Zachary Mynott: Canvas Club, QLD
Escape
60ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca
30ml Pineapple Shrub
20ml Coco Lopez
20ml Fresh Lime Juice
10ml Thickened Cream
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Toasted Pineapple

Mentored by dedicated Brand Ambassadors, these three competitors will partner with BACARDÍ to promote their cocktail and help these aspiring bartenders forge their place in the Australian cocktail industry.