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Caribbean Producers Jamaica's Sales Manager, Evrod Williams did a fine job as master of ceremonies during the 2010 Bacardi Mojito Competition at the Iberostar resort recently. .

Mojito Magic at Iberostar

Devon L. Reid, Contributor

Mojito comes from the African word 'Mojo', which means to cast a spell, and quite a spell was cast at the 2010 Bacardi Mojito competition held at Iberostar. Featuring 34 bartenders from all over the island, matching their mixology skills in making the perfect classic and creative Mojito, the day was full of exciting moments.

Today, the Bacardi Mojito, using Bacardi Superior, is one of the most popular cocktails worldwide.

Bacardi Superior's perfectly balanced taste made it the rum of choice for cocktail pioneers as the principal ingredient in the birth of the world's best-known rum cocktails, including the Mojito (1860s), later featured in the 1931 book called Cuban Cookery; it is also featured in the Daiquiri (1896), the Cuba Libre (1900) and the Bacardi Cocktail TM (1917).

Produced from molasses mixed with spring water and selected yeast, Bacardi Superior is charcoal filtered to remove the impurities and contaminants. The result is a light, surprisingly smooth and flavourful drink.

It is this superior rum that is the essence of Mojito, along with the following ingredients and directions;

Ingredients

12 fresh spearmint leaves

1/2 lime

4 teaspoons sugar

Ice

1 1/2 ounces Bacardi Superior

Club soda

Lime wedge and mint sprig, for

garnish

Directions

In a tall glass, muddle or mash together the mint leaves and lime. Add the simple syrup or sugar and fill the glass with ice. Add the rum and top with club soda, stir well. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

The Rules

The contestants worked in groups of four and were given 15 minutes to prepare all their ingredients behind the scenes before performing on-stage for the Judges and the audience.

The bartenders each had two seven-minute segments to make four classic/original Bacardi Mojito and four creative

Bacardi Mojito cocktails. For the creative Mojito, contestants were allowed to use myriad fruits and Bacardi flavours in preparing their own signature concoctions.

showmanship and mastery

Under the watchful eyes of Judges Jacqui Tyson, Sophia Max-Brown, Richard Hall and Scott Simpson, the day was full of showmanship and mastery of the highest level.

Then it came down to the final four top contestants, namely Phillip Lovejoy from Medusa, Denton Kent from Sandals Negril, Dean Robinson from Iberostar, and Oneil Higgins from Coyaba.

They performed a mix-off of the classic and creative Mojito, reminiscent of gladiators competing for a top prize.

The announcement of the winners was met with much anticipation, and in the end, Denton Kent of Sandals Negril copped the first prize of J$100,000 and a trip to Puerto Rico. The first runner-up was Dean Robinson from Iberostar and the second runner-up Oneil Higgins of Coyaba.

It was a day full of magical, spellbinding Mojito moments and a big win for Bacardi, the world's number-one premium rum.

For more information :Email dreid@caribbeanproducers.com.