PUBLISHED March 24th, 2017 03:39 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:26 pm
A cocktail competition that has challenged bartenders since 2009, the Bacardi Legacy is back in Singapore the third time, with the finals just around the corner on Tuesday, 28 March 2017, 7.30pm-11pm. Happening in the middle of entertainment enclave Clarke Quay, the pressure is on with the six finalists battling it out in public.
The largest part of BLCC for participants is perhaps creating their own Legacy cocktail, one that can stand the test of time and join the ranks of the classics, such as the Bacardi Daiquiri. At the finals, you’d be able to try the exclusively created cocktails of the six finalists and see the crowning of the ultimate Singapore winner, who will go on to the global finals in Berlin later this year!
As promised, six cocktails, six reasons:
Avante
Meaning “onward” in Portuguese and taken to mean moving forward in life, 28 Hong Kong Street’s Syafiq Rahim dedicated this cocktail to the people who influenced him. Unsurprisingly, his refreshing and well-balanced of Bacardi 8, DOM Benedictine, lime, and Martini prosecco was named by his wife. The homemade ginger honey syrup adds a subtle spiciness and a nice meeting of east and west.
Marshall
Head Bartender of The Other Room, Davide Boncimino pays tribute to another important bartender’s support group – the consumer. Regular cocktail barfly Chris Marshall is one of the most widely travelled and enthusiastic customers I’ve ever met, and I also really enjoyed what he inspired: a lovely sour of Bacardi 8, St Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, dry oloroso sherry, agave nectar, and black peppercorn
Regalo
Spanish for “gifts”, Cedric Allen Mendoza’s (Manhattan, Regent Singapore) Legacy cocktail was inspired by how he was first exposed to alcohol – a shot of rum with ice tea, beer, and nuts on the side – and receiving bottles of Bacardi when he was younger. A complex and well texture tipple of Bacardi 8, housemade earl grey tea syrup, lemon juice, walnut bitters, Knickerbocker lager, and orange peel.
Rising Wind
Wind might symbolize renewal and improvement in Chinese culture, but Rising Wind really alludes to “The Wind Rises”, a fictionalized biopic of Japanese fighter aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi by Hayao Miyazaki; Brendon Khoo’s (Crackerjack) nod to his favourite filmmaker is a julep-style concoction of Bacardi 8, Balsamic vinegar syrup, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and basil leaves.
Vida Rica
Tippling Club’s Jonathan Lee offers us his take on Cuban culture and values such as cherishing happiness, family, and music with Vida Rica. Think Bacardi 8, lemon juice, caramel syrup, egg yolks, and orange blossom water – definitely conjures up a sense of nostalgia and warmth. Sweet, smooth, and topped with honeycomb for an extra treat.
Yellow Ribbon
The only finalist that uses Bacardi Carta Blanca, Wonho Jang (also known as Uno) of Orgo Bar & Restaurant was inspired by the symbolism of the yellow ribbon in Korea, where people attach yellow ribbons to their clothing to show how small movements can create large impacts. The combination of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh lime juice, lemon-ginger honey, basil, and a dash of saline makes a homey, citrus ad basil nuanced cocktail.
The Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition Singapore finals are happening 28 March 2017, 7.30pm-11pm, at Clarke Quay. The global finals are slated for 23 May 2017 in Berlin, Germany.
Images courtesy of Sylvester Fedor.