In a tough grand final showdown, Andrew Bennett has taken out the final stage of the Bacardí Legacy Australia Cocktail Competition with his drink, The Seventh Art.
A nod to Cuba’s rich cinematic history, The Seventh Art was judged to be the best by the three judges on the night – consisting of previous winners Alissa Gabriel (2015) and Fred Siggins (2014), along with the Bacardí Global Brand Ambassador, Dickie Cullimore, who was fresh off the boat from supporting the reigning 2015 Global Winner, Franck Dedieu, on his world tour with his cocktail, Le Latin.
Cullimore announced the winner, stating that he could easily see any of the three drinks taking home the global crown in San Francisco.
“The quality of competition this year was exceptional in Australia – all three competitors did an astounding job,” he said. “After working with Franck for the last year, spreading the word of Le Latin around the world, I can see that The Seventh Art has the potential to be a Bacardi Legacy Global classic.”
From The Classroom in Perth, Bennett impressed the judges with his drink and his marketing strategy, negotiating brand partnerships with Cobs Popcorn, Village & Event Cinemas, and getting his cocktail made on television not once but twice with appearances on the Today Show and The Living Room.
Next up, Bennett will present his drink in San Francisco, against 46 other competing nations at the Bacardí Legacy Global Competition commencing on 20 April 2016. In the meantime, he has two more months of promotional work to convince the judges that his cocktail has the ability to stand up against the classics like the Daiquiri and the Cuba Libre.
THE WINNING RECIPE: THE SEVENTH ART
50ml Bacardí Carta Blanca
10ml Yellow Chartreuse
20ml Fresh Lemon Juice
15ml Sugar Syrup
1 handful of Popcorn
1 pinch of Salt
METHOD
Muddle popcorn in Boston shaker and combine all liquids with ice before shaking hard for 10 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a small ramekin of popcorn beside.
INSPIRATION
Cuba has a golden history of cinema dating back to 1897, when silent movies were first shown on the Island. Known as the ‘Seventh Art’, cinema has been influential in defining the changing Cuban identity and how they view their place in the world. Celebrating this legacy, this cocktail is refreshing, modern and will remind you of your favourite movie experience with that quintessential popcorn flavour, while keeping the classic taste of Bacardí Carta Blanca front and centre.