Liisi is Bacardi Cruise Bartender of the Year

The award-winning Gale Hotel on Miami’s South Beach was the setting for the spectacular grand finale on of the Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year 2014.

In a stunning line-up, the six finalists represented the best bartenders in the cruise industry and, for the first time, the title went to Europe, awarded to Liisi Kutt from TallinkSilja in Estonia who scooped the title and top prize of US$5000.

Liisi is a bartender with TallinkSilja on the Victoria I, usually sailing between Tallinn and Stockholm on two day cruises. Before moving into bartending, she started her career as a chef and then took to the high seas as a photographer.  “I have the best bar tending job in the world, I love blending and harmonising flavours to bring out the essential elements of the spirits and of course to engage with my guests, introducing them to new drinking experiences.”   

Liisi’s winning cocktail Summer Fairy is a blend of Bacardi Grand Melon, Martini Prosecco, apple juice, fresh lime juice and simple syrup.  The inspiration for the recipe came from Liisi’s position looking out on the calm summer seas of the Baltic with a perfect soundtrack in the background from the live band playing in the bar. She added: “Summer Fairy is all about being in that magical moment where summer meets nature and you find yourself lost in time.

The other finalists were: Carnival’s Ioana Luncean, Brian Bent and Vera Restarovic – People’s Choice from www.cruisecritic.com,  NCL’s Joeped Garrido and Allan Garcia. 

25 September 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor