The Regent Cocktail Club's Julio Cabrera has just advanced to the finals of the Bombay Sapphire Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, beating out some of the world's best bartenders for one of the coveted five finals spots.
See also: Julio Cabrera Wins Bombay Sapphire Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, Scores a GQ Cover
Cabrera will represent the United States in London tonight against the four of the world's top bartenders, including Remy Savage (France); Alexander Frezza (Italy); Rich Woods (UK & Ireland); and Ayumi Tokunaga (Japan). In September 2013, Cabrera won the U.S. title in Las Vegas, landing him a GQ cover and the opportunity to represent the U.S. in the global competition.
Last evening, Cabrera faced off against 13 of the world's top mixologists, each tasked with the challenge of creating a new gin-based cocktail that "combines individual influence and creativity, with the cultural experiences discovered during the VIP trip." The cultural experiences refer to a five-day whirlwind tour of the Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Hill in Hampshire, along with a a fine-drinking circuit of London.
Dressed as Robin Hood, Cabrera created his Foraging in the Fog, in which the talented bartender compared Bombay Sapphire to the folklore hero in that they both foraged -- however, while Robing Hood "foraged" from the rich to give to the poor, Bombay Sapphire foraged some of the finest botanicals for their spirit. The cocktail contains hibiscus syrup, Bombay Sapphire, and St. Germain.
Cabrera nailed the cocktail, securing one of the finalists spots.
If Cabrera wins tonight's competition, it will be the first win for the United States -- and Miami.
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