Through Jamming Sessions, Casa Dragones inspires the confluence of ideas in the bar world, continuing to unite an international community of bartenders while fostering connections over a mutual love for tequila and Mexico.
During Barra Mexico’s Cocktail Week, eight Jamming Session finalists competed for the 2022 title while surrounded by stunning panoramic views of the city on Rosewood San Miguel’s rooftop before a live audience and a panel of international acclaimed judges including BEKAB founder Fabiola Padilla, Ritual H bar director José Luis León and Casa Mata beverage director Yana Volfson as well as co-founder and CEO of Tequila Casa Dragones, Bertha González Nieves, who presided over the festivities as host.
London-based Daniel Kaizen, the assistant bar manager of 34 Mayfair in the United Kingdom, was ultimately crowned the winner of the 2022 Casa Dragones Jamming Sessions after crafting his original Dragon Punch cocktail. The winning recipe was a variation on a refreshing punch with tropical flavors such as pineapple and kiwi and based on his selected theme of “Innovation” for the final round.
Besides the trophy, the prize included an invitation for a Casa Dragones Bartender Residency in San Miguel, a set of Casa Dragones’ family of ultra-premium expressions including a personalized Casa Dragones Joven to enjoy with family and friends at home as well as a thousand-dollar grant in support of professional endeavors.
The 2022 edition of Casa Dragones Jamming Sessions received over 400 original cocktail video submissions from mixologists throughout Mexico, the United States, and Europe with entries inspired by the theme of “For the Love of San Miguel.” The finalists in San Miguel first faced an elimination round, followed by a final round featuring the top three bartenders with the highest scores. For the final round, the three finalists presented cocktails based on principles that guide Casa Dragones’ mission as a small-batch producer including “innovation,” “Mexican craftsmanship,” and “modern, sustainable production.” In addition to creating drinks for the judges, the contestants were required to prepare their cocktails in batch form so the viewing audience could vote on the fan favorite.
Casa Dragones Jamming Sessions, 2022 — Winning Cocktail
Dragon Punch
Created by bartender Daniel Kaizen
Inspiration: Offering a punch that incorporates all the flavors of Casa Dragones while being able to cater all different ranges of people who want to enjoy tequila, from connoisseurs to beginners.
Ingredients:
- Casa Dragones Blanco Rosemary syrup
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
- Lemon and Lime juice
- Kiwi, pineapple and lime pieces
- Rosemary
ABOUT JAMMING SESSIONS & THE BARTENDER EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Jamming Sessions originally debuted in 2015 in San Miguel de Allende as an event that paired chefs and bartenders together in order to “jam” and create collaborative cocktails. Transformed to focus primarily on the bar community, Jamming Sessions is the flagship cocktail competition of Casa Dragones’ Bartender Exchange Program, an initiative designed to foster an international community of industry professionals, bartenders and mixologists that share a passion for Mexico and tequila. Launched in 2020, the Bartender Exchange Program celebrates the interchange of knowledge, experience and expertise between bartenders from Mexico, the United States and the rest of the world.
The post Check Out Who Won Casa Dragones Jamming Sessions 2022 appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
