March 9 update: the Rhum Clement Ti' Punch Cup final which was to take place on March 11 has been postponed due to certain competitors being from countries with a coronavirus outbreak.
For this third edition unfolding March 9 to 13, 2020 it is welcoming nine contestants from six countries such as China, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States. Rhum Clément has always been eager to promote the riches of Martinique through its agricultural rum. The goal of the Ti'Punch Cup is no exception, focusing this time on the iconic cocktail of the island, the Ti'Punch.
27 countries competed in national and Continental finals from June through December 2019, and the nine finalists for the Ti’Punch World Cup were selected on January 1, 2020. They are :
• Nicolò Rossi | Bar Barrier |Bergamo, Italy
• Gabriel Barauskaite | Bar Alchemist/The Flying Dutchmen | Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Aurélie Marie | Le Cloud Rooftop Bar | Fort-de-France, Martinique
• Frederick Ma | The Cirque | Qujiang, China
• Ross Woodford | Life on Mars | Shenzhen ,China
• Paul Timon | Laki Kane | London, United Kingdom
• Adam Gonna | The Beachcomber |London, United Kingdom
• Brian Callahan | Tiger Mama | Boston, USA
• Mclain Hedges | Restaurant Morin/RiNo Yacht Club | Denver, USA
The bartenders showcased their creativity in bringing their personal "twist" to the highly traditional Ti'Punch recipe. They will do so again during the world final on March 11, 2020 when the winner will be selected and announced by an international jury from the world of spirits.
The candidates will be challenged on three successive rounds (including two secret ingredients) during which different local partners will be asked to interact with them. They will be judged at the same time on their signature cocktail and their knowledge of agricultural rum, local products of Martinique and the world of Rhum Clément.
Who will join Los Angelino Bethany Ham, winner of the Ti’ Punch Cup in 2018? The new winner will also become a brand ambassador and train bartenders on Rhum Clément, Rhum JM, Chairman’s Reserve Rum, Bounty Rum, and Admiral Rodney.
ABOUT RHUM CLÉMENT (rhum-clement)
Established in 1887, Rhum Clement is regarded as the benchmark for Martinique Rhum Agricole. Rhum Agricole is distilled from sugarcane juice instead of molasses, as is tradition in the French overseas departments, and Rhum Clement was one of the first available in the U.S. and is one of the most recognized in the emerging category. In 2019, Drinks International awarded Rhum Clement top 10 trending rums in the world – a major feat for a non-molasses brand rum. Ben Jones is the Great-Grandnephew of Clement founder Homère Clement.
ABOUT MARTINIQUE (us.martinique.org)
The French Caribbean Island of Martinique is also known as the Isle of Flowers, The Rum Capital of the World, the Birthplace of coffee in the New World, The Isle of the Famed Poet (Aimé Césaire) – Martinique ranks among the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world. As an overseas region of France, Martinique boasts modern and reliable infrastructure – roads, water and power utilities, hospitals, and telecommunications, services all on par with any other part of the European Union. At the same time, Martinique’s beautifully unspoiled beaches, volcanic peaks, rainforests, 80+ miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, streams, and other natural wonders are unparalleled in the Caribbean, so visitors here truly get the best of both worlds. The currency is the Euro, the flag and the official language are French, but Martinique’s character, cuisine, musical heritage, art, culture, common language, and identity are of a distinctly Afro-Caribbean inclination known as Creole. It is this special combination of modern world conveniences, pristine nature, and rich heritage that has earned for Martinique several notable distinctions in recent years. Hot off the press: In December 2019 and for the second year in a row, Martinique was named “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” by the Caribbean Journal. The island was also recognized in January 2019 by OprahMag.com and in first place in their list of “The 19 Best Winter Getaways.” Martinique was also featured in the Caribbean Journal’s Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2019. Martinique has also been featured in Travel + Leisure and the New York Time’s “52 Places to go in 2018.”