Team USA Takes on The Reid Vodka Global Cocktail Competition in New Zealand

Team USA joined the Global Finalist Teams from the United Kingdom and New Zealand for an experience of a lifetime in the Cardrona Valley. Finalists enjoyed helicopter tours, bungee jumping, fellowship, and delicious The Reid Vodka cocktails during their trip before competing as both individuals and teams in The Reid Vodka Global Cocktail Competition Final on the last day.

Team USA member, Jennifer Yim says that the experience was, “nothing short of extraordinary. It was a life-changing journey that went beyond just showcasing cocktails – it was about connecting with incredible people from around the world who share the same passion for the craft. The level of talent and creativity I witnessed was inspiring, and it pushed me to challenge myself in ways I hadn’t before.”

Ultimately, Team New Zealand won The Reid Cup and the award for Best Bartender overall went to Harry Findlay, from Londo in Christchurch.

The caliber of cocktails presented throughout this global competition was incredibly high, demonstrating skill, passion, and a true love for The Reid Vodka. Congratulations to everyone who entered, and to this year’s winners!

Team USA

Nick Luna Long Island City, NY	Cesar G. Perez II Chicago, IL	Jacob Smith Colorado Springs, CO	Jennifer Yim Las Vegas, NV

Team USA offers some insights gained from their experience competing on a global stage. . .

Jacob Smith shares, “Something that I learned is that your cocktail doesn’t have to be complicated to be great. The ingredients need to be intentionally chosen, the flavors need to be balanced with care, and the final drink needs to leave the judge thinking, ‘I would love to have another one’. Most importantly, you need to be excited about your drink and that excitement needs to be felt by the judges!”

Jennifer shares the importance of connecting with your fellow competitors. “You’ll learn so much from them, and the friendships you make will be just as valuable as the competition itself.” She enjoyed geeking out with Paul Minea from the UK on unique ways to elevate simple cocktails and learning new techniques from Jason Trung Duong from New Zealand.