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Felipe Castro Brings Home the 2025 Lotus Cup
From December 8-11, 2025, Team USBG shook things up in Macau at the 2025 Lotus Prestige Cup!
The competition kicked off on Monday with a Welcome Reception. Tuesday started with the Opening Ceremony followed by the Macau Bartender of the Year Competition featuring the top bartenders in Classic and Flair from Macau. Once competition concluded, attendees were invited to participate in a Masterclass on the “World of Baijiu”, learning more about the production process and notable brands. The evening concluded with Dinner.
Wednesday featured the Lotus Prestige Cup (International Baijiu Cocktail Competition) where both Team USBG competitors, Felipe Castro in Classic and Kristof Vandenabeele in Flair showed off their skills and creativity. The day finished with the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, where Felipe was named the 2025 Lotus Prestige Classic Cup Champion!
Raise a glass to celebrate the remarkable achievements and honor the hard work and creativity of both competitors.
Some of Kristof’s most memorable moments include the “great atmosphere and friendship between all competitors from around the world.” Macau and The Grand Lisboa Palace Hotel was “something out of a fairy tale”, and “the gondola rides with the 40-foot dragon were so cool.”
He was impressed by every competitors’ garnishes and left inspired to push himself further in future competitions.
Interested in joining Team USBG in 2026?
Check with your chapter leaders to learn more about your local qualifying competition (Classic and Flair divisions). Local winners will advance to one of five Regional Finals in 2026. Winners from each Regional Final will advance to the National Final to determine who will represent the US at the 2026 Pan-American Cocktail Championship, 2026 World Cocktail Championship, and more.