After an exciting showcase of talent and creativity during the global finals of the 4th edition of the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge, Jez Carreon of Employees Only Bar in Singapore was crowned „World’s Most Sustainable Bartender by Flor de Caña“ after competing against 18 top mixologists from around the world.
The competition took place on the tropical volcanic islands of Granada, Nicaragua, where the world’s most renowned bartenders showcased their skills in creating delicious and sustainable cocktails using Flor de Caña rum.
Jez emerged as the top contender in the competition, impressing the judges with his passion and skills in creating sustainable cocktails. The winning cocktail, named „Nicaragua is Calling,“ was made with local Singapore ingredients such as corn, coconut, and pineapple, along with Flor de Caña 12-Year Rum, and served in a sustainable jicara cup and on a biodegradable coaster made from the cocktail’s leftovers.
„I feel amazing. What once seemed like a distant dream, something I never imagined possible, has now become a reality. This is truly a career-defining moment. I’ve made my loved ones proud, and now I can finally say: I’m the best in the world at mixing sustainable drinks,“ said Jez after winning the competition.
Andrea Pagliarini from Paradiso Bar in Spain took second place in the competition, and Simone Sacco from Piano35 Ristorante Bar in Italy took third place. Tim Hobmaier competed for Germany but didn’t make it into the top three.
The jury consisted of industry experts Danil Nevsky (2nd in the Bar World 100), Patrick Pistolesi (Founder of Drink Kong Master), Gina Barbachano (Hanky Panky Manager – World’s 50 Best Bars), and Marcus Voglrieder (Corporate Beverage Director of the Nobu Restaurant Group), who evaluated the cocktails on taste, aroma, appearance, story, and presentation, as well as creativity and adherence to sustainable practices.
More than 30 countries are participating in the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge, with which Flor de Caña celebrates its long-standing commitment to sustainability and inspires and empowers the global bartending community. Flor de Caña Rum is the world’s first carbon-neutral and FairTrade-certified spirit. It is distilled using 100% renewable energy and collects and recycles all CO2 emissions during the fermentation process. The brand’s other sustainability efforts include planting one million trees since 2005.
