HCCM REGIONAL CHALLENGES AMERICAS
17.11.2025
REGIONAL CHALLENGES AMERICAS
From 15th to 17th November 2025, four incredible teams – Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, and Canada – came together in Colombia’s lively capital for three days of creativity, learning, and celebration. This was the third stop on the road to the Global Finals in Havana, Cuba, and Bogotá delivered an experience full of flavor, learning, and connection.
Bogotá welcomed bartenders from across the region, blending in-person energy with virtual participation as the Cuban team joined online. Guiding the experience were three exceptional judges: Ángel Solórzano, cocktail educator and consultant from Lima with deep Havana Club expertise; Luna Orellano, bar manager at Cartagena’s El Barón and winner of Colombia’s Best Bartender 2023; and Noah Matthies, co-founder of El Barón and creator of Lopuna, a project that fuses ancestral traditions with modern craft. Their mentorship added depth and inspiration to every moment.
The first challenge, Liquid Harmony, invited teams to revisit their national stage-winning cocktails and elevate them with new dimensions. It was a celebration of growth and originality, without losing the soul of the original serve.
In a memorable twist, the Cuban team — competing online — took the win, proving that passion and creativity transcend distance. Their cocktail impressed both peers and judges, earning applause across screens and tables alike.
The second challenge, Cuban Mode, pushed bartenders to channel Havana’s resourceful spirit. With limited tokens and a “Cuban Market” pantry, teams had to craft cocktails that were authentic yet inventive — turning constraints into opportunities.
The energy was electric: strategies shifted in real time, garnishes became works of art, and bold flavors stole the spotlight. Judges praised the ingenuity and Cuban spirit behind every serve, highlighting how creativity thrives under pressure.
Discover all teams and their creations here.
Bogotá wasn’t just about competition — it was about connection. Between challenges, the event opened space for ideas to flow. Bartenders joined interactive sessions, listened to judges share their expertise, and stories that bridged cultures from Canada to Cuba. Conversations on technique, sustainability, and creativity sparked throughout the weekend, ideas that will travel far beyond Colombia.
The Americas Regional Challenge added a new chapter to the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros story. Next stop: Havana, where all regional teams will reunite for the Global Finals in April 2026. But what truly endures is the spirit of unity — proof that while cocktails are crafted by hand, unforgettable experiences are built together.
Here’s to the bartenders who brought Havana Club’s essence to life in Bogotá — and to the adventures still to come. ¡Salud!
