HCCM KAZAKHSTAN FINALISTS
30.06.2025
Kazakhstan finalists
The spirit of Havana Club stirred the heart of Central Asia on June 9th, as Kazakhstan hosted its finals of the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros, celebrating bold ideas, local flair, and an emerging generation of talented bartenders.
Held in Almaty, the event brought together 110 attendees for a full day of creativity, storytelling, and celebration. After hours of impressive performances, one team stood out: Daria Bezhina and Irina Lyulko, the Sazon Sisters from CeCe Bar, whose cocktail Sodade captivated the judges with its emotional depth and elegant composition.
The decision was unanimous. Sodade wasn’t just a cocktail, it was a feeling. Daria and Irina delivered a powerful interpretation of longing and identity through their creation, blending inspiration and execution with poise. Their performance struck a chord, not just with the jury, but with everyone present.
The judging panel featured a trio of respected experts:
– Nikita Ivankin, acclaimed bartender and co-owner of Adept (Almaty), whose previous venue ranked 13th in the World’s 50 Best Bars.
– Roman Shcherbakov, Best Sommelier of Kazakhstan 2024 and a decorated wine professional.
- – Asem Tusupbayeva, Head of Marketing at KAS and a key figure in PR, gastro-journalism, and event curation.
Kazakhstan’s bar scene showed not only creativity, but heart. As Sodade moves forward to represent the country in the European regional finals, one thing is clear: the bartenders of Kazakhstan are crafting more than just cocktails, they’re crafting stories. ¡Salud!
– 40 ml Havana Club 3 Años
– 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
– 20 ml Jollof Tomato Cordial
Garnish
– Smoked Banana Foam
