United States Bartenders' Guild® Legacy Cocktail Showcase Sponsored by BACARDI® Rum Selects Two New York Finalists to Compete on National Stage

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG) crowned Milos Zica and Takeshi Uzuka as the USBG regional winners of the USBG Legacy Cocktail Showcase in New York. Zica and Uzuka will move on to the USBG National Legacy Cocktail Showcase sponsored by BACARDI® rum in Miami February 25^th. Zica and Uzuka emerged from a field of 12 New York mixologists, winning with their innovative "Star Superior" and "Room No.202" cocktails. Zica's "Star Superior" combines BACARDI® Superior rum, chamomile syrup, lemon juice, Peychauds Bitters, a ginger slice and one egg white, while Uzuka's "Room No.202" mixes BACARDI Superior rum, green tea, velvet Falernum liqueur, freshly squeezed lime juice, green Chartreuse and a fresh egg white to earn the chance to create the next BACARDI Classic Cocktail.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130124/DC47769-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130124/DC47769-b)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130124/DC47769-c)

Now in its third year in the U.S.A, the USBG Legacy Cocktail Showcase is a chance for the best contemporary mixologists to create a balanced, appealing and enduring drink that will become as celebrated as historic cocktails such as the Authentic BACARDI Mojito and Authentic BACARDI Daiquiri, all inspired by BACARDI rum, the world's most awarded spirit.

The USBG New York competition was judged by a panel of industry influencers including bartender and co-owner of Employees Only and Macao Trading Co. Dushan Zaric, Editor in Chief of Inside F&B Francine Cohen, and the Global Winner of 2012 USBG Legacy Cocktail Showcase Shingo Gokan. They were joined by BACARDI National Brand Master, David Cid.  This is the third showcase following a series that began in Boston, continued in Chicago, with Miami to conclude the regional showcase on January 29.

"Every year, the USBG Legacy Cocktail Showcase inspires many innovative recipes from exceptional bartenders across the country," said Kenny Moore, brand manager, BACARDI rums. "The nature of the showcase seems to be pushing mixologists to be more and more creative each year. This event was no different, as we found the honor of selecting two winners quite challenging as all the cocktails were fantastic."

The USBG competition has grown to become a world-renowned event, with regions from the United States, United Kingdom Africa, European Union and Asia participating in 2013. The top eight regional winners will advance to the USBG National Showcase in Miami, hosted by industry leaders and held in front of a specially invited audience of leading bartenders, bar professionals and media. At the USBG National Showcase, three cocktail presentations will be crowned the "New Rum Legacy Cocktails," and the USBG winners will win a VIP trip to the BACARDI Catedral de Ron (Cathedral of Rum) in Puerto Rico -- the largest premium rum distillery in the world -- where they will present their cocktails in the final national exposition. The final winner will move on to the global competition in April 2013 in Puerto Rico.

About United States Bartenders Guild

The USBG is a group of Beverage Specialists that enjoy networking and learning more about the industry. We currently have 34 Chapters throughout the U.S. and are growing rapidly.  Our initiative is to help our members advance in the profession by offering new spirit launches, bartending techniques seminars, networking lunches and cocktail parties.   Many of these events give members the opportunity to meet and interact with top industry professionals.  We also conduct many exclusive Cocktail Competitions where competitors are judged on both taste and technique. To learn more or become a member, go to www.usbg.org and click Join the USBG!

About BACARDI Rums

In 1862, BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo BACARDI Masso began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum – BACARDI, the world's favorite rum brand. The unique taste of BACARDI rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous drink recipes including the Mojito, the Daiquiri, the Cuba Libre, the Piña Colada, and the Presidente.  BACARDI rum has won more than 500 awards for quality and taste making it the world's most awarded rum, as well as the most awarded spirit of all time.  Today, BACARDI rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo – crafted in a five step distillation process, mellowed in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.  www.Bacardi.com

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BACARDI AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDI U.S.A., INC., CORAL GABLES, FL. RUM - 40% ALC. BY VOL.

For additional information:

Amanda Greenfield
Zeno Group
212-299-8957 / [email protected] 

SOURCE BACARDI