The Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge (AGCC) first took place in April 2001 at the Robinson Crusoe Pub at the Hilton Tobago and today is one of the most celebrated events on the international mixology calendar.

For the Challenge, each candidate is asked to make two cocktails of their own creation using Angostura products. They have just seven minutes to make and describe their drinks, which are then judged by some of the best in the business. Over the years, the Judging Panel in South Africa has included renowned industry mixologists such as founding father Dale DeGroff, creator of the Cable Car Cocktail Tony Abou-Ganim, renowned drinks personality, author and leading mixologist Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, Japan’s famed bartender and carver of ice diamonds, Hidetsugu Ueno, as well as South African industry stalwart, Kurt Schlechter.

Applicants should be confident and engaging, and ardent enthusiasts of the Angostura portfolio of products. Qualifying contestants for the National heat will be announced at the end of August with the main event set to take place on Monday, 16 September. The winner of the National leg of the Challenge will move on to the Africa & Middle East Regional event to be held in Cyprus mid-October. The Grand Final is set for February 23rd, 2020 in Trinidad and Tobago during Carnival Tuesday.

At the Grand Final the winning Regional finalists will battle it out for the title of Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge Champion, USD$10,000 and a two-year contract as Angostura’s Global Brand Ambassador; providing an opportunity for the Champion to tour the world and influence bartenders to experiment and explore products in the Angostura portfolio. The AGCC Final is also an immersive experience into Angostura’s rich history and the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. While in Trinidad and Tobago finalists enjoy the experience of a lifetime as they are treated to all the riches the islands have to offer, including a tour of the Angostura Distillery and Museum, visits to local pan yards and the chance to “play mas” in full costume on Carnival Tuesday and much more.

In 2015, Dino Batista of Molecular Bars entered the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge (AGCC) 2016 and made it all the way to the Final, taking second place overall and the award for Best Rum Cocktail. Then, for the next edition of the challenge, George Hunter of Copper Monkey entered and won the AGCC 2018 National heat moving on to the Africa and Middle East Regional leg.

Of his win, Hunter says “Winning the AGCC 2018 National heat was one of my bigger achievements as the competition holds a certain prestige. Angostura is an international brand that is true to quality and consistency, and winning the Challenge and having the opportunity to represent the brand by doing numerous activations in our local market is truly a massive step in the right direction for anyone who is a career bartender! Competitions like the AGCC will always positively impact the local market as it pushes bartenders to be better, think more creatively and out the box while remembering quality. It also shows the local market where you could end up as bartender”.

For more information or to enter the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge visit www.AngosturaGlobalCocktailChallenge.com.