London, UK – The much-anticipated final of the inaugural Desi Daru Culture Colliders Cocktail Competition will take place at the newly opened Samba Room, a cocktail bar and lounge on the 39th floor of London’s Heron Tower. The event is scheduled for Monday, July 22, and promises an unforgettable experience in the South America-inspired setting designed by Fabled Studio.
A Celebration of Cultural Fusion
Ekrem Muarem, Head of Bars at Sushisamba, expressed his excitement about hosting the competition. “At Sushisamba, we celebrate the culture and cuisine of multiple countries,” he said. “Hosting a cocktail competition like Desi Daru’s Culture Colliders, which celebrates the best of India and Britain, was a no-brainer for us.”
Muarem praised the Samba Room, describing it as the perfect backdrop for showcasing some of the industry’s best and most innovative bartending. “We can’t wait to see what the finalists will be presenting,” he added.
Showcasing Creativity and Skill
Bartenders from across the UK were invited to participate, tasked with creating unique cocktails that embody the rich culinary traditions of both India and Britain. Each cocktail entry had to include at least 40ml of Desi Daru Alphonso Mango Vodka, one Indian-inspired ingredient, and one British-inspired ingredient.
The Perfect Venue
Mohit Singh, founder of Desi Daru, shared his enthusiasm about the chosen venue. “As this is our first cocktail competition for Desi Daru, we wanted the stage for our finals to be spectacular. Walking into Samba Room for the first time, we knew that we’d found the perfect spot,” Singh said. He highlighted the bar’s striking design and its alignment with the high level of mixology expected from the finalists. “We cannot wait for the finals and to see who is crowned Desi Daru Culture Collider 2024 winner.”
Judging and Prizes
The final will be judged by an expert panel, who will select the winner of the competition. The winner will receive a £2,000 (US$2,530) cash prize, a trip to the Desi Daru distillery, a Michelin-starred meal for two, and the prestigious Culture Colliders trophy.
Strengthening On-Trade Presence
Earlier this month, Desi Daru announced a partnership with UK distributor Nightcap Brands to enhance the brand’s presence in the on-trade sector. This collaboration aims to further solidify Desi Daru’s position in the market and expand its reach among cocktail enthusiasts.
