Belize Bartenders Make Debut at World Cocktail Championship in Colombia

Belize was on the global mixology stage this week as members of the Belize Bartenders Association competed at the 72nd World Cocktail Championship in Cartagena Province, Bolivar, Colombia. The five-day event ran from 23 to 27 November and featured competitions, trade shows, talks, tastings, and exhibitions.

A total of 65 nations participated in several categories, including Belize’s team from the Belize Bartenders Association (BBA). Belize competed in the long drink category.

President Ricael Moran served as a certified tasting and technical judge. Vice President Elvis Patt was supporting competitor Joseph Pate of San Pedro.

The top three competitors advanced to the semifinals, where they face a market challenge, a sensorial test, and a written exam of 100 questions in under 30 minutes.

Although Belize did not advance, Moran says the team made history for participating in this particularly well-recognised worldwide competition.

Belize finished seventh in its category. Official results regarding the final placements of the top competitors are expected in the coming days.

“We also not only competed against the best in the world to bring international standards to our industry but also high bartending certifications by IBA recognised in 65 countries worldwide,” he said. “This is a plus for our bartenders because they can go and work abroad with excellent knowledge of the international standards of what the bartending industry requires.”

Moran also cited recent results of a separate competition that included the highest placement at a female bartending competition in Cuba with ‘Tiburón 8 years’ and tenth place at the Pan American Cocktail Championships in Chile.

“Every year we can take part in over 6 prestigious worldwide competitions. If we had funds, we could be getting ready for the Taiwan Golden Cup from 14 to 19 December,” Moran said.

The association hopes to partner with a local mega-resort to host the 2026 Pan American Cocktail Championships. It is also preparing for the World Cocktail Championship in Macau next year.

The association is a full member of the International Bartenders Association.