Campari, the iconic red aperitivo, is back with its prestigious bartending competition, Campari Red Hands Asia 2024, after a five-year break. This exciting event brings together top bartenders from 14 Asian markets in a thrilling race to find the next Campari Red Hands Asia Champion.
This year’s theme, “Cocktail & Senses,” challenges participants to incorporate one or more of the five senses—sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound—into their creations. A key change in 2024 is the shift from individual competitors to teams of two or three, allowing bartenders to showcase their collective talent and the magic that happens behind the bar.
The competition spans three stages, running from April to September. It kicked off with 45 teams submitting video presentations of their signature cocktails. The field was then narrowed down to 20 teams for a month-long showcase featuring exclusive consumer-engaged creations, culminating in a final showdown with 10 teams battling for the top spot.
Under the direction of Vandena Yanarta, Patasola from Club Soda Canggu in Bali came out on top. Their innovative approach earned them the honour of representing Indonesia at the grand finale in Milan this November, where they will compete for the title of Campari Red Hands Asia Champion. The ultimate prize is induction into the prestigious Negroni Family Tree, reserved for the finest names in cocktail history.
The Red Hands competition has its roots in the 2018 Campari Bartender Competition Asia, a programme that brought together masters of mixology for two years, challenging them to push the boundaries of creativity. Now revived as Campari Red Hands Asia, the competition not only celebrates Campari’s boldness but also champions the bartenders who elevate this iconic aperitivo in new and exciting ways.
Exquisite Taste Magazine Volume 45
Campari
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