Royal Caribbean bartender Shekhar Grover was awarded best cruise line bartender by Diageo Reserve World Class Final event in Miami. Shekhar impressed with his "incredible showmanship, inventive cocktail-making and unrivalled flair".
Shekhar, 27, competed against 5,500 bartenders from other cruise lines He and fellow competitors were tested on different aspects of their craft, creativity and bartending knowledge.
The winning drink for Shekhar was the 'French Royale' featuring CÎROC Vodka.
Shekhar will now advance to the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final taking place July 28th in London, where he will compete against 50 of the world's best bartenders to be named bartender of the year.
Shekhar works on Oasis of the Seas and was quite happy to win the award, "I'm thrilled to win the WORLD CLASS Global Travel Final and I'm very excited to be going forward to represent cruise-line bartenders at one of the industry's most prestigious and respected mixology competitions. I've been inspired and challenged by many talented bartenders over the last few weeks and I'm really looking forward to using the skills and knowledge that I've developed through the program to wow the judges."
Recipe for Shekhar's signature serve: the 'French Royale'
Ingredients
- CÎROC Vodka
- Sauternes Dessert Wine
- Fresh Grapes
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Crème De Cassis
Recipe:
- Muddle fresh grapes in a Shaker Glass, add fresh lime juice and sugar syrup
- Then add CÎROC Vodka and dessert wine. Add a splash of Crème de Cassis and cubed ice. Shake all the ingredients well and double strain in a chilled martini glass
Glassware: Martini glass
Garnish: Cassis infused skinned black grape (soak overnight)
