Praphakorn Konglee from Thailand has been crowned the winner of the 2021 Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition by a panel of judges in London.
Konglee, who works at Find the Locker Room bar in Bangkok, becomes the cocktail competition’s 12th winner with Thailand the first nation to take home the crown in consecutive years.
“Bringing this title to Thailand for a second year is just amazing,” said Konglee. “I’m celebrating here now with my family and am so excited for all the opportunities ahead of me with Bacardi, which will allow me to improve as a bartender and make my family proud. It has been such a difficult year, but I am so grateful that we have all been able to complete our legacy journey together - even though miles apart - tonight.”
The winning cocktail, Out of Sight, combined Bacardí Carta Blanca with fresh pineapple, basil, yoghurt, lemon and agave. It was deemed the winner by an expert panel of judges in London amongst the 39 competitors that took part in virtual Global Finals throughout the last week.
“What I loved most about the winning drink was that it was very surprising, and yet also very familiar,” said judge Monica Berg.
“I loved how Praphakorn connected the ingredients of the drink to his own personal journey, and that this journey was also something we could all relate to. This cocktail is not only a great expression of where he comes from but also a celebration of the new directions that he will take.”
After the Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition, which was scheduled to take place in Miami in May 2020, was unable to go ahead due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the decision was made to move the competition online.
Participants presented their cocktails via video to a panel of judges in London that included, Ago Perrone, Sandrae Lawrence, Ian Burrell, and Monica Berg.
In recognition of the recent challenges that the bar industry has faced, Bacardí also offered all competitors the opportunity to secure a $5000 grant, in addition to participating in the competition.
“Congratulations to Praphakorn for bringing such a beautiful, delicious, and balanced drink to the global stage,” said Dickie Cullimore, global brand ambassador, Bacardí rum.
“It’s actually very emotional tonight for us to be announcing him as our winner after the roller coaster of the last few months. This year, I think more than any other, we’ve been so privileged to collaborate with 39 exceptional bartenders who have worked so hard to develop and promote their unique Legacy cocktails in such challenging circumstances. “
The two runners up in tonight’s final were Adam Dow from Australia and Max Curzon-Price from Canada.