Vallarta Bartenders Chosen to Compete in Karat Vodka Bartender Tournament MX2013 Semifinals Visit Puerto Vallarta
go to original June 9, 2013

The Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta held the first very successful semifinal of the Karat Vodka Bartender Tournament MX/2013, hosted by Madrileña, one of Mexico’s finest wine and liquor producers and distributors.

Close to 70 bartenders participated in this first of three eliminatory rounds in the tournament’s 6th edition, considered the only launching pad for bartenders in Mexico.

The bartenders are competing in two different techniques this year: Traditional Mixology and Molecular Mixology.

In the first technique, the contestants each create an original cocktail composition. The second technique involves creating a cocktail that shows an excellent presentation of style, flavor, aroma, textures, and visual effects.

What stood out this year was the coolness and use of fruit in the cocktail flavors and the gels that are used in molecular mixology.

Two winners from each category were chosen to move on to the finals. Three of the four winners from this first tournament were from the Puerto Vallarta area.

In the Traditional Mixology technique, Gustavo Limon (Raixes Restaurant) took first place with his Melon Palmer cocktail, and Luis Vicencio (Hotel Santuario Mayan Palace) took second with Mayan Sanctuary.

In Molecular Mixology, Diego Jovanni Mendoza (Bar Mezcalini) placed first with Catarina, and Violeta Cisneros (Stratosflair) took second with Satisfaction.

A second semifinal will be held on June 12 at the National Auditorium Lunario in Mexico City, and the third semifinal at the Hard Rock Hotel Cancún. The final will be held in Cancún on July 11, a festive evening of talent and new flavors.