Miami’s Julio Cabrera Wins Bombay Sapphire & USBG 2013 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition

The 2013 NATIONAL winner of Bombay Sapphire & USBG Most Imaginative Bartender competition is Miami’s Julio Cabrera (Regent Cocktail Club and Fifty Lounge at Viceroy Hotel). After earning the regional title in Miami last month, Julio advanced to the national finals this past weekend in Vegas – competing against 51 of the nation’s most talented mixologists.

During the Semi-finals on Sunday, September 8 at PURE Nightclub Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Julio made his way into the Top 10 finalists alongside: Tampa, Las Vegas, New York, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Austin, LA, Omaha and Seattle. On Monday, September 9, the national finals took place at LIGHT Nightclub in Mandalay Bay. After careful deliberation by an esteemed panel of judges including — Bombay Sapphire Global Brand Ambassador, Raj Nagra, master mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador, Gary Hayward and special guest judge for the evening, Celebrity Chef Tom Colicchio — Julio’s “Queen Victoria” was announced as this year’s “Most Imaginative” Bombay Sapphire cocktail. Julio’s winning cocktail has landed him a feature cover on GQ Magazine’s special December “Men of the Year” issue and will advance him to the global finals in London 2014 to vie for the ultimate title: Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender!

From left: Nathan Gerdes (2012 National Winner), Julio Cabrera, Raj Nagra (Bombay Sapphire Global Brand Ambassador)

Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio and Julio Cabrera

Queen Victoria

• 1.5 oz Bombay Sapphire
• 0.5 oz cucumber-mint syrup (with a pinch of salt and black pepper)
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
• Shake well and serve in a martini glass. Fresh grated black pepper on top.