CUBA-BARTENDER COMPETITION Bartenders shake it up in Cuba for international Daiquiri King competition

Record ID: 149419

  • Title: CUBA-BARTENDER COMPETITION Bartenders shake it up in Cuba for international Daiquiri King competition
  • Date: 23rd July 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (JULY 23, 2015) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF BAR FLORIDITA SIGNAGE OF BAR FLORIDITA
  • Embargoed: 7th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4HMGDNGK535JP2ED5C0SI6PJI
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: International bartenders descended on Havana's iconic El Bar Floridita for the "King of Daiquiri" cocktail competition Thursday (July 23) in a bid to be crowned the world's best daiquiri maker.
    Floridita is one of Cuba's historic landmarks, made famous by American writer Ernest Hemingway and his penchant for the bar's most famous drink, the daiquiri.
    But this year's competition took on particular significance, with international bartenders from Argentina, Puerto Rico and the United States participating in the end for the first time.
    Earlier this week the former Cold War foes, Cuba and the United States, re-opened its embassies and restored 54 years of diplomatic relations.
    The move is expected to herald in a new era of closer ties between the two nations.
    Miami resident John Christian Lermayer is the first American bartender to participate in the Daiquiri King competition since the restoration of diplomatic ties.
    "All I can do is go back to America and tell other American bartenders how warm and receptive that the Cuban bartenders are to us. You know I like to stay out of politics but I really like what president Obama is doing and I think it's going to, the doors are going to open for more and more Americans. I can tell you that the first group of Americans that are going to come here are bartenders," he said.
    Bar Floridita has been a popular destination for American tourists in Cuba since before the Castro brothers took power on this island nation.
    It's association with Hemingway and fame as the birthplace of the daiquiri is expected to see a new throng of American tourists grace its historic doors.
    "(Bar) Floridita is the flagship home of North American tourism because our history is inextricably linked to Hemingway's daiquiri. It's (the bar) origin's have a lot to do with North Americans and I think it is an important time to strengthen which is important to tourism," said Floridita manager, Ariel Blanco.
    The international competitors were no match for the home talent. Cuban Pedro Ivan Rodriguez was crowned Daiquiri King, with the humble winner thankful for the international presence at the competition.
    "For us this is the first time this is happening. That's to say that is the edge that we have, to have bartenders from other countries, especially America. For us this will be a door to learning," said Rodriguez.
    The international competition is timed for the 198th anniverary celebration for Bar Floridita in historic Havana. Amongst the celebrations include master classes from the establishments famed bartenders.
    The daiquiri is one of Cuba's iconic drinks. Made with rum, lime, sugar and ice, it was created by former La Floridita owner Constantino Ribalaigua Vert in 1918.
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