The industry from around the world came together in New York City to celebrate the very first-ever North America’s 50 Best Bars in June 2022. For the inaugural year, we teamed up with 50 Best Bars Disaronno and Tia Maria as they followed all the action for their global bar series – The Mixing Star. It was truly a magical event with pop-ups, guest shifts and takeovers from 50 Best Bars all around New York. Disaronno & Tia Maria kicked off with special guest shift at Mace (#35) with Patrick Pistolesi of Drink Kong in Rome to get the festivities started. However, the focus was the main event on June 7th, 2022 at Capitale in Manhattan where the Disaronno and Tia Maria cocktails were flowing as the who’s who of North America’s cocktail bar scene came together dressed in their red carpet best to celebrate this historic event.
The Disaronno and Tia Maria brands were not only a major supporter of the first North America’s 50 Best Bars ceremony, Disaronno also presented a very special award for the Best Bar in the Caribbean Region. The award went to the La Factoría, the iconic bar from San Juan, Puerto Rico, which was also named the #12 bar on the list and was presented on the big stage by Simona Bianco, Senior Global Marketing Manager for Disaronno, Tia Maria & The Busker brands, and was accepted by Roberto Berdecia, Carlos Izzarriy and Pablo Candela.
Simona has been a tremendously fierce advocate for the global bartending industry through her work with The Mixing Star. We spoke to her about the brand’s involvement in the first North America’s 50 Best Bars and giving the special award of Best Bar in the Caribbean to La Factoría.
Simona Bianco Talks North America’s 50 Best Bars
Disaronno / Tia Maria have a strong relationship with 50 Best Bars Awards around the world – why is this important to the brands?
Our Brands are an important part of consumers’ drinking repertoire both at home and when out. Being Official Italian Liqueur Partner and Official Coffee Liqueur Partner of 50 Best Bars means supporting the bartender community in their day-by-day effort and commitment to elevate the quality of bar scene all over the world.
What motivated Disaronno to sponsor this specific Award of Best Bar in the Caribbean Region?
Disaronno hands the “Highest New Entry” award at all the 50 Best Bars events – World, Asia and North America. Since North America’s 50 Best Bars 2022 took place for the first time in New York in June, the team 50 Best offered Disaronno a regional award – “The Best Bar in the Caribbean sponsored by Disaronno”. This association with a Caribbean bar has been a surprise to us because Brand Partners are not involved with the voting process nor aware of the bars’ position in the list until it is officially announced on the day of the awards ceremony. Nonetheless, I am so happy we could give our award to a Region with such a great potential!
How did it feel to be part of the very first ever North America’s 50 Best Bars in New York City?
It was simply magic! The vibes I felt in that room were so positive… and New York has been the perfect city to host the first edition. North America’s bars really deserved this attention!
La Factoria in Puerto Rico won the award – how does it feel to have such an iconic, important and FUN bar receive your award?
I had been following them before on their social media and had the feeling they were such a great team to work with. Disaronno is always ready when young generation of humble and professional people like Roberto (Berdecia) and his team commit to elevate the local bar scene. So proud we could give our little-big contribution. We are already working with Roberto to involve La Factoría in our Bar Tag project, the Masterclass and guest shift program dedicated to Bars and Bartenders from all over the world. Stay tuned and you’ll discover where La Factoría will hit soon.
What can we expect next from the Disaronno & Tia Maria partnership with the 50 Best awards organization?
In this very moment, we are very committed into the World’s 50 Best Bars organization for next October in Barcelona. We are working to an outstanding activation during the celebration week, new social media contents and delicious drinks to serve. Can’t wait to be there! Keep following our Instagram @themixingstar to discover more.
Velvet Colada Recipe
- 1oz Disaronno Velvet
- 1oz Rum
- 0.5oz Simple Syrup 1:1
- 1/2 Fresh Lime Juice
Combine all the ingredients, shake, and pour on crushed ice.
Garnish with pineapple.
Variation of the beloved pina colada with a nuttier side.
Check out the 50 Best Bars North America Teaser – HERE
Check out the 50 Best Bars North America action at the ceremony – HERE
For more on 50 Best Bars and the full list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, visit www.worlds50bestbars.com
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