Laurens da Costa and Bryan Kuijer proudly represented the Netherlands in the competition, a groundbreaking event that paired bartenders with baristas. Their challenge was to combine their expertise and knowledge to create cocktails that seamlessly blended Licor 43 and coffee. This unique fusion drew inspiration from the huge success of the Carajillo in Mexico, where the sweet, subtly spiced vanilla flavors of Licor 43 perfectly complemented the bitterness of coffee.As a judge at this global final for the second consecutive year, I was once again fascinated by the convergence of skills between bartenders and baristas in their pursuit of flavor and balance. Elements such as dilution, fruitiness, bitterness, and sweetness played a crucial role in both professions, and this competition served as a platform to bring them together. Bartenders and baristas from 13 different countries formed teams and gathered in Gran Canaria, a rare European location with coffee plantations. There, they showcased their combined skills, personalities, and cultures to create Licor 43 coffee cocktails and participate in a series of challenges to earn points.
The Netherlands was represented by Bryan Kuijer, an experienced bartender,
, and Laurens De Costa, a professional barista, who joined forces:
Signature Cocktail:
* Glass: Nick & Nora
* Garnish: A splash of absinthe and grated coffee beans sprinkled over the surface.
* Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
* Ingredients:
* 25 ml Licor 43 Baristo
* 25 ml Pekoe Supreme Ceylon Tea Liqueur
* 25 ml Brazilian Iced Coffee Infusion
