Fred Siggins, from The Black Pearl in Melbourne, has been named Australia’s first ever Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition winner.
Siggins will be Australia’s inaugural representative, competing at the international final in Moscow during May. The winner of that competition will be nurtured and championed by Bacardi to develop as a bar professional and spread their drink across the top cocktail lists around the world.
Siggins presented The Empire of Dreams, his Bacardi Legacy drink, together with an original Bacardi Daiquiri to a panel of three judges on the night to claim his place in the international final and was scored on his technical ability, his drink’s taste and aroma balance and the inspiration behind it. He was also judged on the success of his marketing campaign for the drink, which has included media relations, innovative social media work and strong support from both the Australian and international bartending community.
Aside from the drink’s huge appeal, it also had to satisfy judges that it could become a true Bacardi Legacy cocktail along with classics such as The Original Mojito, Original Daiquiri and Original Cuba Libre.
His award-winning drink, The Empire of Dreams, was inspired by the art of storytelling and is a refreshing blend of fresh ingredients and Bacardi Rum, shaken over fair trade coffee beans. Throughout the competition, The Empire of Dreams has been lauded for its creativity, originality and potential to emulate Bacardi’s legacy of great drinks.
Simon Difford, who flew in from the UK to judge on the night, said of the winning cocktail: “A true Legacy cocktail is one that tastes great and is easily replicated by both bartenders and consumers around the world. It must be simple but great. That’s what it takes to be a future classic and a true Legacy cocktail. We felt that The Empire of Dreams had the right mixture of balance, great flavours and originality to earn a place amongst the greats.”
An overwhelmed Siggins said: “I’m so proud of The Empire of Dreams and the epic efforts made by the other competitors. This has been a whirlwind adventure of new and great experiences. I want to thank Bacardi for this fantastic opportunity and I hope to do Melbourne and Australia proud by winning the global finals in Moscow.”
Since July 2013, Australia’s Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition has been one of the industry’s most hotly contested and talked about cocktail competitions. The competition has attracted over 130 of Australia’s finest bartenders, all vying for their cocktail creation to be heir to Bacardi’s legacy of original cocktails.
The Empire of Dreams (pictured) recipe:
50ml BACARDÍ Superior rum
30ml Fresh pineapple juice
10ml Apricot Brandy (Joseph Catron used)
10ml Fresh lime juice
5ml Orgeat Syrup (Crawley's used)
15 Espresso beans
"A light tropical style drink shaken with fresh espresso beans for depth and earthiness. Well balanced with a frothy finish, strained and garnished with a rustic lime twist."