A. S. BRYDEN AND SONS (ANTIGUA) LTD.

Mount Gay once again shook up the mixology industry with its second annual International Crafted Cocktail competition held in 9 countries throughout the Caribbean. It was one part intense, two parts ingenious, with an extended crafted spirits selection, as bartenders stirred up cocktails for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the Tales of the Cocktail event, New Orleans.

Mixologists in Antigua, Anguilla, The Bahamas, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, St Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands competed on their local stage first, creating drinks inspired by the classic cocktails, martini, or Old Fashioned.

The local leg of the competition was held at Maia|South Point, English Harbour on Saturday, October 28, 2023, with eight talented and well-known Mixologists from restaurants and resorts nationwide coming out to showcase their skills in the hope of winning the chance to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the finals in Barbados.

This year, artistry and passion were on full display with an enthusiastic crowd cheering on for their favorites.  Frances Ann Attong, Marketing and Communications Manager at Brydens Antigua explained that the competition provided the perfect platform for people to truly appreciate the craft and get a first-hand view of the hard work that goes into making these delicious inventions.    “For the competitors, it was especially interesting as this year the brands under spotlight were Cointreau Liqueur, The Botanist Gin, Bruiichladdich Single Malt Whisky and Mount Gay Rum – providing mixologists with an expansion into the crafted spirit ingredients”.

In the end, Ashley Henry copped the winning title with her creation called the “The Glam Dram” a modern spin on a classic cocktail, expertly made with locally sourced ingredients – dragon fruit, mango and coconut and perfectly paired with Bruichladdich Classic Laddie – an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The winner of last year’s competition, Kanto George captured second place with his creation  - “The Red Velvet” – a unique spin on a martini using The Botanist Gin and robust, flavourful ingredients of beetroot, lemon, ginger and egg white.   

Gavisha Philip won third place with her “Ancient Mist”, a blend of Mount Gay XO Rum, balanced with her homemade Dragon Fruit Jam, fresh lime juice, flower liqueur and blue curacao.

The cocktails were judged by a panel of three industry experts – Pascale Sold, Caribbean Regional Manager for Remy Cointreau, USA Senior Business Development Manager at the country’s Tourism Authority, Donyelle Bird and visiting Chef and Mixologist from Barbados Thaddeus Sealy.   Each competitor was judged on taste, presentability, technique, flavors, and ease of creation at a bar.

Ashley moves onto the next round which will be held in Barbados and will represent Antigua and compete against the Caribbean top mixologists for a chance to win the coveted prize and an all-inclusive, all-expense paid, week-long trip to the popular Tales of the Cocktail, hosted in New Orleans in the summer of 2024.

Cointreau Liqueur, The Botanist Gin, Bruiichladdich Single Malt Whisky and Mount Gay Rum are owned by Remy Cointreau and distributed locally by A.S. Bryden’s & Sons Limited.