Out of greater than 524 rivals, 9 nationwide espresso cocktail champions got here collectively in Spain to battle for the worldwide title.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Images courtesy of Licor 43
Hailing from Hamburg, Germany, Julia Engel has been topped world champion of the annual competitors Bartender & Barista Problem, through which skilled baristas and bartenders pair espresso and Licor 43 spirits.
After profitable their nationwide Licor 43 championships in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and america, 9 winners flew to Spain for the grand finale in late September. They spent two days with judges and educators in masterclasses and took part in inventive competitions main as much as the massive end.
“This yr, we returned to our roots in Cartagena, Licor 43’s homeland, and likewise elevated the competitors’s give attention to schooling,” says Zamora Firm’s chief advertising officer for spirits, Blanca de la Infiesta. The Bartender & Barista Problem has beforehand been held in Madrid and Gran Canaria. “For eight years now, we’ve been exploring the pure marriage of aromas and flavors between Licor 43 and low, however our mission for 2024 was additionally to take our group deeper into the science and data of cocktails.”
To realize this, Licor 43 introduced collectively consultants, authors, and champions from the spirits and low industries. On the espresso aspect of issues, former Dutch Barista Champion and licensed Specialty Espresso Affiliation (SCA) coach Merijn Gijsbers instructed the 9 mixologists and baristas in cupping and pairing espresso with the favored and versatile Licor 43, which is notable for its customized mixture of citrus, coriander, vanilla, and lemon blossom traits.
After their numerous seminars, the champions competed in three challenges: the Velocity Up Problem, through which they have been tasked with making ready 4 good Carajillo 43s within the quickest time doable; the Thriller Field Problem, which noticed finalists graded on their use of cocktail clarification methods by 2022 Bartender & Barista Problem winner Yefferson Avila; and the Switching Problem, the place they referred to as on expertise discovered from world-renowned mixologist Iain McPherson’s seminar on different taste creation.
Julia’s drink, A Day Within the Life, introduced collectively Licor 43 Authentic, Bokma Oude Friesche Genever, Hörner Pinot Noir Rosé 2021, and “Sweet Crush” filter-brewed espresso. As one among three finalists, Julia, a bartender at Koer Bar in Hamburg, ready her drink for the judges on the ultimate night of the competitors and was named the winner. Her prizes embody €3,000 value of coaching, supplies, and gear.
BARTENDER & BARISTA CHALLENGE FINALISTS
Ricardo Alexandre Leal Da Souza, Brazil
Andres Felipe Kisic, Colombia
Josué Chavarría, Costa Rica
Jirí Malis, Estonia
Julia Engel, Germany
Daniel Diaz, Guatemala
Daniel López Romero, Mexico
Jean Paul Poblet Clemente, Perú
Mike Vander Horn, USA
BARTENDER & BARISTA CHALLENGE JUDGES
Iain McPherson
Merijn Gijsbers
Keep tuned for data for the 2025 version of the Bartender & Barista Problem!
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