Miroslav Kljajic of Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) has followed up winning the 2016 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year and his semi-final placing in the 2017 event by reaching the Miami regional finals as the winner of the Cruise category of the United States Bartenders’ Guild Most Imaginative Bartender competition.

 

This competition is presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin with a prize which includes the opportunity to compete in the global grand final due to be held in London, UK.

 

Bacardi Global Travel Retail reports that he beat a highly competitive field comprising ‘Miami’s best bartenders’ after participants were given the task of crafting their own unique recipe for a contemporary and imaginative cocktail featuring Bombay Sapphire Gin.

 

For his entry, Miroslav presented his own creation known as ‘The Forgotten’, which Bacardi describes as ‘an intriguing twist on the multi-course cocktail concept, providing an experience with all 10 botanicals present in Bombay Sapphire Gin.

 

BACARDI ‘REALLY IMPRESSED…’

In addition, the company said that the final 10 contenders took to the stage in Wynwood’s Beaker & Grey, with the title won by Andrew Lue of Sugar at the East Hotel.

 

Commenting on Kljajic’s efforts, Zachary Sulkes International Account Manager (Cruise), Bacardi Global Travel Retail said: “Miroslov has really impressed us over the past two years with his dedication to continued professionalism and the sheer creativity and attention to detail he brings to his craft.

 

“He’s a fantastic ambassador for the on-board cruise bartender community and epitomises the ever-increasing professional standards driven by progressive companies like Carnival Cruise Lines.”

 

For those who are interested, the recipe for The Forgotten is as follows: 1.50oz Bombay Sapphire, 0.75 oz Blue Cheese Campari, 0.5oz Lemongrass syrup, 1.25ml (1/4 teaspoon ) Smoky Black Pepper Tincture, and 2oz Dry Cranberry lemonade. Advice is shake and strain in Collins glass over ice. Garnish with dried cranberries, zest of lemon with rosemary and rosemary water spray.