Representing Lebanon, John Mansour has won the Africa and Middle East Regional leg of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge 2018. John competed against four others to claim the top prize and represent the Africa and Middle East region.

Making two cocktails in just seven minutes, his Amaro Cocktail was called “Blood and Sun” and his Rum Cocktail was called “Butterfly Effect”.  He believes that mixology is not just about the best ingredients and a well-balanced delicious cocktail, it’s also about an unforgettable customer experience.

With over 13 years mixology experience, John’s major achievements include managing a bar that was home to three different concept bars, reaching Top 3 in World Class Lebanon 2015 and consulting for various bars in Beirut.  According to Head Judge, Michael Tomasic, “Cape Town outdid themselves, a great competition in a great location held by even better people. The competition from the Africa and Middle East Regional Final was of a very high calibre, the winner, John from Lebanon, will represent the region well come Angostura Global Final in Trinidad & Tobago next year where he’ll take on the rest of the World”.

Andy Holmes, the representative of Angostura says, “For Angostura it marks the next stage of the Brands’ development in the region to hold our first Africa and Middle Eastern Regional Final here in Cape Town. We really value the support of our regional partners and all the passionate bartenders who’ve supported us in this journey to Cape Town. Real thanks go to DGB for helping co-ordinate the events and of course we’ll be excited to have John with us in Trinidad for the Global Final before Carnival. Irrespective we’ll want to continue the relationships we’ve built with all the finalists being part of the Angostura family.”

John will now move on to the Final of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge 2018 to be hosted in Trinidad during February 2018.  The winner of The Final Heat will win the title of the “Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge 2018 Champion”, US$10,000 and a two-year contract to serve as the Angostura Global Brand Ambassador, representing Angostura aromatic bitters, Angostura orange bitters, Angostura Rums and Amaro di Angostura.