Earlier this month, Jessica Mili from Canada was crowned Bols Around the World Champion 2017 and Bols Genever Pioneer in Amsterdam following an innovative sold-out finale event. Two thousand bartenders entered the competition from 75 countries.
Mili showcased her Bols Genever concept at Bar Broker, serving attendees who walked ‘Bols Geneverstreet’ (Amsterdam’s famous Reguliersdwarsstraat street) sampling the cocktails of all seven finalists at seven different bars. Mili presented her winning cocktail “Still life” with an interactive piece of art where guests could add colour to the artwork, making it their own. This creative approach coupled with her gracious hospitality allowed guests to discover Bols Genever in a new and surprising way.
Malika Saidi, Head of the Jury and Lucas Bols Global Brand Ambassador, said: “Jessica’s hospitality shone through. She was so natural; great under pressure. Her drink was delicious and accessible for everyone and she brought her concept to life throughout the entire evening.”
Saidi sat on the BATW judging panel with cocktail historian David Wondrich, journalist/author of the PDT Cocktail Book, Jim Meehan, journalist and bartender, Piet van Leijenhorst, Lucas Bols Master Distiller, Ivar de Lange, Lucas Bols Master Bartender, and master bartender and BATW 2014 winner Kate Gerwin who were equally impressed with Mili’s performance.
This year, the Bols Around the World Competition was ground-breaking with its Geneverstreet concept as it combined bartenders and consumers who had the opportunity to enjoy a taste of different cultures and personalities from around the world.
Huub van Doorne, CEO Lucas Bols, says: “This year marks many firsts for Bols Around the World, which has been running for nine years. This is the first time the competition has been dedicated to Bols Genever and the first time we have opened the competition to the public and taken over an entire street. This format allowed the finalists to not only demonstrate their cocktail creating skills, but also their hospitality in a real-life setting.”
Mili says: “I am thrilled to win. It's surreal. I already felt like a winner being in Amsterdam for the final the past few days. I think it’s important to know your guests in order to give them a good time. I love people and that's why I love bartending.”
Mili competed against finalists from Malta, Mexico, Canada, Poland, India, Russia and Japan who each worked in one of the seven participating bars Huf, Bar Paul, Lion Noir, Snappers, Rose’s Cantina, A l’Elephant du Congo and Bar Broker, on 'Bols Geneverstreet', which served as their stage for the evening. Each bar was decorated by each finalist to convey their Bols Genever concept and served their signature cocktail.
Winning Cocktail Recipe: Still life
Ingredients:
45ml Bols Genever Original
1 bar spoon infused cinnamon Bols Maraschino
15ml Tio Pepe fino sherry
25ml lemon juice
15ml sweetened/salted
fennel juice
crushed ice