FLIBS17: Crew stir up winning cocktails

Nov 11, 2017 by Triton Staff

Seven megayachts competed in the Northrop & Johnson Chai Rum Cocktail Contest at the 2017 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in November. Each yacht was given a bottle of the botanical rum on the opening day of the show and were tasked with creating a unique concoction.

On the fourth day of the show, the drinks were assessed by a panel of four judges, including Kiran Akal and John Fleming of Chai Rum; award-winning Chef Michael Schwartz of Michael’s Genuine Food in Miami, and Yachts International Editor-at-Large Jill Bobrow. They considered taste, creativity and overall appearance.

Category winners were given a bottle of Chai Rum. The overall winner was presented with a trophy; a bottle of Chai Rum’s latest cocktail, the Chai Rum Sazerac; and a $1,000 gift certificate to Michael’s Genuine Food in Miami, with Northrop & Johnson providing limo service to the restaurant for the crew on the day of their choosing.

Winners were as follows:

Taste category: M/Y Heartbeat (with assistance from their neighbor M/Y Tumblehome) for its Chai Rum Bloody Mary, created with homemade bloody mary juice and dressed with grilled shrimp, olives stuffed with blue cheese and a sprig of celery.

Creativity category: S/Y MITseaAH for The Engagement, a drink inspired by Capt. Andrew’s proposal to Chief Stew Charlotte during their sail to Florida. It featured strawberries, strawberries frozen in ice, prosecco and Chai Rum.

Appearance category: M/Y Far Niente for its Roasty Toasty Thai Chai, which included homemade chili-infused syrup, Chai Rum and ginger beer with a toasted marshmallow rim, a garnish of candied ginger and a lit sparkler.

Overall winner: M/Y Far Niente took home top honors for the Thai Chai.

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