00:00Eight bartenders deemed by Angostura as some of the best of the best in the industry.
00:06Fifteen ml of pineapple juice.
00:11This drink is a modern spin-off to a sour cocktail.
00:18Stirring up two types of cocktails each in a showdown for first place
00:22in the local leg of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge competition.
00:26They got down to business before this three-member judging panel headed by Rakesh Madhu.
00:31Prior to the competition, Madhu told us that the level of the competition
00:35and the selection process have been rising annually.
00:38This year's competition promises a lot of excitement.
00:42Fresh ingredients, working within the concept of sustainability,
00:47very cost-effective cocktails, and I think it's all about displaying and showcasing skill.
00:52So we will be seeing a lot of that this time around.
00:57I think the judges may have their hands a bit full because going over the recipes,
01:03I see bartenders are being very creative this time period.
01:07As for the judging criteria?
01:09Definitely things like aroma, taste, presentation, sustainability is going to be a critical thing.
01:15But I think when you look at the rules, there's a lot of flexibility
01:19where the bartenders can display and showcase their ingredients.
01:23So yes, working fresh is going to be a critical part of it.
01:26Working with the product range is an important part of it also.
01:30But most importantly, it's about presentation, execution, sustainability,
01:35and I think this is where the judging criteria will take effect.
01:38In the mix was a range of Angostura products, including Anubitas.
01:43Six dashes of the 200-year anniversary limited edition bitters.
01:51Each competitor was required to make a spin-off of the Trinidad Swizzle or Swizzle cocktail.
01:57Now for the fun part, swizzling.
02:02And a signature drink.
02:04Executive Manager of Local Sales, Nigel Balcaran,
02:07noted that Angostura is in its 200th year of operations.
02:12This is a very important milestone for Angostura.
02:16200 years, a legacy, the gem of Trinidad and Tobago.
02:20We pride ourselves at Angostura for the brand that we represent.
02:25And I would like you all as Trinidadians, foreigners, wherever you are,
02:30to be our future ambassadors, current ambassadors as well,
02:34because our brand, as I said earlier, is the gem of Trinidad and Tobago.
02:39Madhu's closing words to the competitors.
02:42Don't let a competition be final, it's not the end or be all.
02:46Typically it's a starting point.
02:47I think for all of us, we didn't start off by being competition winners in office competition.
02:53It was a starting point, it should be a learning experience and it should be proofed with the things.
02:57In third place was Jamila Antwine.
03:00Second place went to Kester Beig.
03:03And the man of the moment in first place was Ronaldo August.
03:08August said topping the competition took him by surprise
03:11and he tells us what the event signifies for him.
03:15It's kind of miserable to me because growing up, everyone always had bettas in their home.
03:20Now to be able to represent Trinidad and Tobago at a global stage,
03:25like the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge,
03:28it's just amazing, an amazing feeling right now honestly.
03:32August's win will see him face off against winners from other countries
03:37in the final leg of the challenge, earmarked for 2025 in Trinidad.
03:41As for what he's looking forward to showcasing when that time comes?
03:45The true culture of Trinidad and Tobago, through our drinks
03:48and to show that we are more than what people hear about us.
03:52We are very hospitable.
03:55Safe to say the afternoon ended how it began, on a high, pun intended.
04:00Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
04:07For more UN videos visit www.un.org
Comments