Andrea Marseglia of New Zealand’s Teresa Cocktail Bar in Hawke’s Bay has taken out the top spot at the ANZ regional final of the Flor de Caña Sustainable Cocktail Challenge.
Held at Sydney’s Door Knock, Marseglia crafted the winning cocktail creation which saw him crowned as ANZ’s Most Sustainable Bartender.
Marseglia’s cocktail was called the L.O.C.A.L meaning Land of Change, Adapt and Learn.
For the cocktail, Marseglia utilised Flor de Caña 12 Year Rum, alongside cocoa husk, syrah verjuice made from grapes given to him from a local winemaker, foraged local dandelion, and mallow root.
The tipple was then poured into a beeswax cup made by not-for-profit organisation Hohepa which supports people with disabilities.
As the winning bartender, Andrea will travel to Nicaragua in February to compete in the global final to win the title of World’s Most Sustainable Bartender.
The winner of the global competition will also win $10,000 USD and will take part in the Flor de Caña’s Sustainable Society Exchange Program.
“It’s crucial for our community to actively minimise waste and incorporate eco-friendly practices whenever feasible,” says Marseglia.
“Flor de Caña’s Sustainable Cocktail Challenge is such a fantastic initiative that spreads the word and encourages others to get creative when it comes to reducing food waste in bars.”