United States Bartenders' Guild Announces U.S. Winners of the Cocktail World Cup 'Carnival of the Cocktail' Sponsored by 42BELOW® Vodka

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG) brought together 24 of the most talented cocktail creators in the United States on Sunday, Feb. 27 to take center stage at The ACE Hotel in New York City in a head-to-head cocktail competition to select three bartenders to represent the United States on the brightest stage in mixology: the 2011 42BELOW® Cocktail World Cup 'Carnival of the Cocktail' to be held March 14 to 20 in Queenstown, New Zealand.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110228/CG55646-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110228/CG55646-b)

When the USBG brought the shaking and stirring to a close, Michael Callahan of Azul, Jennifer Contraveos of The Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and Nate Wales of La Condesa, emerged victorious. Their next challenge: to put their cocktail prowess to the test against cocktail slingers from countries including Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.  The prize - global cocktail dominance and glory and the title of "Cocktail World Cup Champion."

"I'm really proud of all the competitors.  Each of them embody the creativity and good natured irreverence of 42BELOW and it came through in the imaginative and tasty cocktails they crafted," said Paul Franich, 42BELOW Brand Raconteur. "I think it's fair to say our judges picked the best three mixologists to represent the United States. I just hope they're prepared for what's to come in New Zealand."

Judging Criteria:

A panel of three cocktail connoisseurs left it to their versed pallets to determine the top three cocktails in the United States: Jim Meehan, celebrated bar operator, consultant and writer; Kevin Sintumuang, spirits, travel and lifestyle writer for The Wall Street Journal; and Darryl Robinson, host of Drink Up on the Cooking Channel. The judges selected the top three cocktails of the night, ultimately awarding their creators the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to be crowned world's best at the Cocktail World Cup in New Zealand.

The judges, along with a boisterous crowd, watched with a discerning eye as each "performer" took the stage to create their masterpieces. Each bartender had six minutes to prepare, shake and pour their libations before handing them off to the judging panel for the final taste test.

Final judgment was based on a 100 point system using the following criteria: performance, originality, taste, presentation and overall impression.

"The Cocktail World Cup is an amazing way to celebrate the superstars of the trade. The seventh time around it will be more extreme and exciting than ever before," says 42BELOW Marketing Director Dion Nash.

Winning Cocktail Recipes:

• Michael Callahan – Azul
  • "Fugutini"
    • .75oz 42BELOW Manuka Honey
    • .5 oz Ume-shu plum wine
    • .25oz Mathilde poire
    • .50oz lemon juice
    • Dehydrated and shaved pickled ginger mixed with black Hawaiian sea salt and fugu poison laced rim
    • Wakami salad crisp garnish
• Jennifer Contraveos – The Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
  • "A Passage to Manuka"
    • 1.5 oz 42BELOW Honey Vodka
    • 25 oz Orgeat
    • .25 oz Simple Syrup
    • .5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
    • 1 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
    • Dash Orange Bitters
    • Rooibos Red Tea Espuma
    • Grated Nutmeg.
    • Rooibos, coconut, citrus vapor.
• Nate Wales – La Condesa
  • "42 Boba Tea"
    • 1.5oz 42BELOW Pure vodka
    • 1oz Jackfruit juice (infused with aji chiles)
    • .5oz Black tea (steeped with vanilla, lychee honey, and coconut milk)
    • 1oz Balche

For more information on the Cocktail World Cup and 42BELOW vodka, visit http://42Below.com. Also, be sure to 'Like' 42Below on Facebook and Follow on Twitter.

About USBG

With 60 years of presence in the United States and International coverage in affiliation with the International Bartender's Association (IBA) in over 50 countries, the United States Bartenders' Guild is the largest network of Craft Bartenders & Beverage Professionals in the country and is setting the standard of which to achieve. The USBG is a non-profit organization that has expanded nationally to Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Dallas, Denver, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, St. Louis and continues to grow.  As an industry leader, the USBG is responsible for keeping its members in line with current trends in order to maintain a competitive edge. The USBG is an association of bartenders who come together to share their common interest: the craft of mixology and is made up of exceptional bartenders who take great pride in the cocktails they serve.

About 42BELOW

42BELOW Vodka was launched in 1998 in the premium vodka segment and has shown strong volume growth since its inception. The brand known for its innovative, bold and entrepreneurial style has earned a strong reputation for authentic New Zealand quality and exceptional taste, reflected in winning numerous prestigious international awards including gold medals (for the fourth year running) at the 45th World Selection of Spirits and Liqueurs 2007 Barcelona, the San Francisco Spirits Awards and the International Wines & Spirits competition UK. 42 BELOW vodka, acquired by Bacardi Ltd. In 2006, is currently distributed in more than 25 countries.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world's favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

42BELOW® Vodka and Flavored Vodkas

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SOURCE USBG