15/01/2025
GLOBAL LAUNCH
The time has come! Enter the competition by immortalizing your cocktail creation and team spirit.
HCCM#2 WINNERS
MEET THE WINNERS!
Havana Club Cocktail Maestros 2026 Global Champions : Blaise Bachelier and George Bryan, standing in for Ryan Smith, from the Fox and Chance bar in the United Kingdom.
CELEBRATE BARTENDERS, TEAM SPIRIT AND COCKTAIL SKILLS ONCE AGAIN
Rum is an essential part of Cuban culture, shaped by the country’s climate, geography, history and people. as its finest expression, the Havana Club.
As its finest expression, the Havana club range represents this riche heritage produced by the Maestro del ron Cubano following traditional Cuban rum-making methods. Havana Club rum embodies the spirit of Cuba enjoyed by Cantineros and rum drinkers around the world, to the rhythm of the best Cuban music.
HCCM#2 WINNERS
People’s Choice Awards
Awarded by the guests attending the Global Final event, to the teams with the best hospitality and cocktail experience.
– Camila Giraldi & Francisco Javier Rodríguez from Spain (Upper image)
– Modesto Lozada & Luis Miguel Cardona from Mexico (Lower image)
HCCM#2 WINNERS
Bartenders’ Choice Awards
This award, attributed by the bartenders, celebrates the camaraderie and union within the bartending community. This year, we dedicated it to the late Alexandra Constantinescu, known as Lexie, in honour of her passion for her profession, her talent and her hardworking spirit, which inspired many people in the community.
Teams have elected not one, not two, but three teams for this award:
– Alejandro Fleites Socarras & Mario Luis Acosta Batista from Cuba
– Davide Corazza & Raffaele Manetti from Italy
– Sara Leonor Sá de Sousa & Leandro José Alves de Sousa from France
HCCM#2 WINNERS
Cuban Mode Awards, from the Regional Finals
Recognizing the regional teams that best embodied the creativity, adaptability and collaborative spirit that defines Cuban hospitality during the regional stages of the competition:
– Americas: Samantha Fulmer & Linh Phan representing Canada (Upper Left)
– Europe: Casimir Snellman & Jami Kalliorinne representing Finland (Upper Right)
– Asia: Nikita Jein & Alain Kim representing respectively United Arab Emirates & Korea (Lower Image)
HAVANA CLUB COCKTAIL MAESTRO #2
GLOBAL FINAL WEEK RECAP
Last week, the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros journey culminated in Barcelona, where 40 finalists from 23 countries swapped their home bars for four unforgettable days of immersion in the Havana Club universe. One final opportunity to showcase their creativity and mixology expertise, while learning from some of the industry’s most respected figures.
Throughout the week, finalists stepped deeper into the art of Cuban rum under the guidance of Maestro del Ron Cubano, Asbel Morales. They took part in a hands-on blending session, creating their own bespoke rum blends, and enjoyed an exclusive cigar paring with premium Cuban cigars.
The spirit of Havana was brought to Barcelona through boxing sessions, salsa classes, Cuban rhythms, and the competition’s final challenges focused on our Cuban Icon, Havana Club Añejo 7 Años, and Cuba’s most iconic cocktails. Memorable shared experiences that culminated in the crowning of the 2026 Havana Club Cocktail Maestros Champions.
With this second edition of the competition, Havana Club Cocktail Maestros once again celebrated the creativity, camaraderie and passion that unite the global bartending community through a shared love of Cuban rum and unforgettable cocktails.
HCCM#2 judge panel
Sandrae
Lawrence
No. 35 – Bar World 100, Founder and Editor of The Cocktail Lovers and member of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Sandrae Lawrence is a prominent global advocate for the cocktail and spirits industry. A true spokesperson for diversity and equality she is a mentor for Equal Measures UK. Often featuring in the bar world’s most influential and ones to watch.
“I’m so excited and proud to be back judging Havana Club Cocktail Maestros 2026. At the inaugural Global Final I witnessed firsthand the deep connection, camaraderie and growth that each of the teams underwent during the process. For this second edition, I am looking forward to seeing the rhythms, warmth and magic of Havana will be brought to life in Barcelona.”
HCCM#2 judge panel
Priyanka Blah
No. 12 – Bar World 100, Founder of The Dram Attic and Education Director of BCB.
Priyanka Blah is a hospitality expert and world leading drinks writer. She is as the Director of Education for BCB and an academy chair for the 50 Best Bars.
“Competitions are a great way to sharpen skills, expand networks, and get exposed to new cultures – HCCM provides participants with all these plus the unique opportunity to be mentored by industry leaders from across the world. Platforms like this can provide invaluable learning.”
HCCM#2 judge panel
Simone Caporale
No. 7 – Bar World 100 and Co-owner of Boadas, SIPS and Montana.
Simone Caporale is famous for transforming global cocktail culture through immersive storytelling and playful drink presentation. Founder of some of the world’s most successful bars, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential people in modern mixology.
“I am thrilled to be back as jury of the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros 2026 Global Final. What I love about this competition, it how it encourages bartender teams to not only compete at the highest level, but to collaborate. It truly helps each bartender to understand the importance of professional empathy and community spirit.”
HCCM#2 judge panel
Jose Luis Leon
No. 69 – Bar World 100, Bar manager and Partner at Licorería Limantour, Mexico City.
José Luis is a globally celebrated and award-winning master mixologist. Widely considered a pioneering force behind Mexico City’s modern cocktail revolution, he himself is a Havana Club Grand Prix Finalist.
“Competitions can inspire great drinks, but what truly shapes a bartender is the opportunity to learn from others. That’s what makes Havana Club Cocktail Maestros so valuable – it creates conversations, challenges perspectives, and builds a stronger global community of hospitality professionals. I’m honoured to be part of that journey.”
WIN €10,000 AND MORE
Ready to be the next champions of the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros?
The Global Final will take place in September 2026 in Barcelona, with teams competing for the €10,000 grand prize.
KEY PRINCIPLES
ENROLL IN THE COMPETITION TO BECOME THE NEXT COCKTAIL MAESTRO
