Flor de Caña Rum will run the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge again this year, challenging bartenders to create spectacular cocktails using sustainable ingredients and techniques.
This year, participants from more than 30 countries are expected to join the contest and a winner from each participating country will compete in Thailand in October. One regional winner will then be selected to travel to Nicaragua to compete in the global finale in February 2023 for the chance to win the title of Flor de Caña World’s Most Sustainable Bartender and take home USD$10,000 in prize money.
Last year, Manachain Monaghan, owner of Below Stairs Bar in Leeds UK won with his drink Steamship, which featured home-made cacao and lime bitters, coffee liquor made from reused Nicaraguan coffee beans and Fair Trade certified sugar, saline solution and Flor de Caña 12 Year Rum.
Flor de Caña’s new Australian brand ambassador, Mitch Townsend (formerly of Nick and Nora’s Melbourne and Cash Only Diner in Sydney) said, “This is one of many programs initiated by Flor de Caña encouraging bartending communities across the globe to find ways to integrate greener practices and a sustainable ethos. We’re excited to see the creativity the challenge stirs up, and look forward to seeing the innovations that the Australian bar scene brings to the table.”
Flor de Caña is the world’s first spirit to be carbon neutral and Fair Trade certified and is a leader in sustainable practices across the drinks industry. Its Nicaraguan rum is distilled using 100 per cent renewed energy and all CO2 emissions during fermentation are captured and recycled.
In 2021, Flor de Caña received the Distillery Sustainability Award and the Ethical Award from The Spirits Business and the ultimate vision of the contest is to reduce overall food waste and build a community of sustainable champions. All contestants will have access to courses and training sessions on sustainability and ethical practices.
Registrations are now open until 30 June. Locally the contest will be run by Flor de Caña’s Australian distributor, Vanguard Luxury Brands.
