Charles Joly from The Aviary in Chicago beat 47 of the best mixologists from around the globe to be crowned the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2014. It’s the first time a contender from the U.S. has won the title.
During the week of intense competition in Great Britain, Charles consistently wowed the judging panel, which included such cocktail luminaries as Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Julie Reiner, Steve Olsen and Gaz Regan. His signature cocktail Above the Clouds, crafted for the final Punch and Glass challenge, sealed the deal (recipe below).
Joly becomes the sixth bartender to be awarded the World Class Bartender of the Year, following in the footsteps of mixology greats including David Rios, Tim Philips, Manabu Ohtake, Erik Lorincz and Aristotelis Papadopoulos. Joly will now become a global ambassador for Diageo Reserve World Class, which involves traveling the world, educating and inspiring new talent while developing his own skills and knowledge.
Above the Clouds
1 ½ oz. Ron Zacapa Centenaro rum
½ oz. Benedictine
1 ½ oz. Ver jus rouge
1 ½ oz. Gingerbread dream rooibos syrup
Aromatic vapor as a garnish
Combine all ingredients in beaker over a heat source. Pour the liquid into a glass globe and drop in a small amount of dry ice to chill, create the aroma and a beautiful visual effect. Serve in globe on a stand with a metal straw.