Havana Club Global Grand Prix Cocktail Competition held in Toronto for BEST Cuban cocktail

This week Toronto’s top mixologists convened on Queen Street at Brooklynn http://brooklynnbar.com/ “rock- n- roll” bar to compete in the Global Grand Prix Cocktail Competition sponsored by Havana Club http://www.havana-club.com/ of Cuba.

This week Toronto’s top mixologists convened on Queen Street at Brooklynn http://brooklynnbar.com/ “rock- n- roll” bar to compete in the Global Grand Prix Cocktail Competition sponsored by Havana Club http://www.havana-club.com/ of Cuba.

The mandate, to create a trio of Cuban cocktails based on the popular Cuban signature drinks, such as the Mojito. It was an afternoon of excitement as the top 5 all vied for a chance to represent Canada at the global mix-off taking place in Cuba in May 2010. Each bartender wowed us with their creativity, knowledge, technical agility, speed and personality! The pressure was on as each contender had only 7 minutes to dazzle the judges, their taste buds and the thirsty spectators.

The contenders for the Toronto crown included Brad Gubbins from Toronto Institute of Bartending, Adrian Stein, Sopra Upper Lounge, Gavin MacMillan, BartenderOne Corp, Renata Clingen, Teatro Restaurant and Jordan Bushell from Brassaii. It wasn’t an easy task for the judges, Adam McDowell, National Post, Graham Duncan, NOW Magazine and Benjamin Leszcz editor www.DailyXY.com.

The spectacular array of Cuban inspired cocktails included of course the best rum Havana Club!, classic ingredients such as lime and mango juice in Renata’s “Playa Amore” to more unusual ingredients such Kumquats as in Adrian’s cocktail “7 Cubans in the Bronx”.

But the cocktails that won the judges over were courtesy of Jordan Buschell with “Breakfast Under The Sun” pass the orange marmalade, please and his “Autumn Shrub”, which evoked a Canadian spirit utilizing apples and cinnamon.

Check out all the excitement here.

September 2009- The Havana Cultura festival http://www.havana-cultura.com/canada is back for the second year in a row, infusing Cuban culture into

Toronto’s Queen Street West. From September 24 to 27, GTA residents have the opportunity to experience the colours and culture of Cuban life.

The festival is designed to celebrate Cuban culture and the insatiable Cuban love of life. The weekend features a series of events, including free concerts, Cuban food, Cuban cocktails, visual arts, and cigar rolling demonstrations. Those interested in participating in festival events should visit www.havana-cultura.com/canada for festival information.

“We are happy to bring the Havana Cultura festival to Toronto for the second year in a row,” says Andrea Bulionis, Brand

Manager for Havana Club