Representing Oceania in the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge, Jay Cozma has taken out second place, in a packed field of some of the best bartenders in the world.
Competing in Trinidad, alongside 14 other bartenders from around the world, Jay wowed the judges with his twist on the Angostura Queens Park Swizzle: Las’ Lap. A vibrant and spice-forward cocktail inspired by the final hour before midnight at the end of Trinidad’s Carnival.
Competitors from over 60 markets globally were whittled down through two tough rounds of judging, including a live mystery box challenge in the regional finals, with the best 15 bartenders invited to compete in the Global Final in Trinidad. Swizzling her way to the top gong was Kat Hood, from Barcelona’s College Art & Social Cocktail bar, with her boundary pushing creativity propelling her to a well-deserved win.
The Global Final event was rounded out with plenty of brand immersion, with Jay and his fellow finalists spending time in the iconic House of Angostura, experiencing a guided tour of rum aging in oak casks, and the artisanal blending and bottling process behind the world’s most renowned Aromatic Bitters.
The AGCC 2025 final event itself was a vibrant celebration of Trinidad & Tobago’s culture, with Angostura’s community at the heart of it all.
Jay was an amazing representative for Oceania in Trinidad, keeping up the regional reputation for competing at a very high standard. Australia and New Zealand have won a combined four out of the nine global competitions that featured entrants from Oceania. Past winners are Marco Nunes, Andy Griffiths, Mike Tomasic and Ray Letoa, with 2019 competitor Rohan Massie also coming in a close second.