World Class Bartender Ali Reynolds Creates The One&Only Ocean Club Cocktail – The First In The ‘#DestinationDistilled’ Series

How do you capture the essence of an iconic Caribbean destination in a cocktail? Just ask the UK’s World Class best bartender, Ali Reynolds, who spent time in The Bahamas recently – exploring the iconic One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island and visiting local landmarks in Nassau – to interpret the destination through the art of mixology.

Ali’s signature cocktail was the first in the “#DestinationsDistilled” series, where six of the world’s best bartenders will each travel to one of six luxurious One&Only Resorts on a mission to create bespoke cocktails that distill each destination.

Mango, lime, coconut, sugar and Ron Zacapa rum (not to mention a blue macaw feather) were the key ingredients used by Reynolds in his creation of the bespoke One&Only Ocean Club cocktail. A diary of his journey and a “how-to” cocktail video have been released online.

“The Bahamas is extraordinarily beautiful and One&Only Ocean Club is in a class of its own in terms of hospitality and location. The gardens have an abundance of coconuts, while Chef Lester from Dune helped me source fresh mangoes,  and at Potters Cay, an amazing market in Nassau, I found the limes,” says Reynolds, the UK’s best bartender and one of the top six bartenders chosen at the World Class Global Finals 2015. “I was fascinated by the 12th Century Cloisters which were shipped over brick by brick from France to the resort in the 1960s! As such, through the language of mixology, the cocktail speaks to both old world romance and new world exuberance.”

Bringing together the worlds of distinctive destination resorts and fine drinking experiences,

“#DestinationsDistilled” is a global collaboration between iconic luxury brands, One&Only Resorts and Diageo Reserve World Class, and will see the other five World Class bartenders each travelling to a distinctive One&Only resort from Mexico and Australia to the Maldives and South Africa.

Long recognised as one of the world’s most exclusive resorts,  One&Only Ocean Club  unveiled enhancements in November, raising the bar on ultra-luxury in The Bahamas, while World Class is the most prestigious and respected bartender competition and programme in the world.

Apart from raising the standard of refined drinking experiences, World Class also positions bartenders as true craftsmen and women who are celebrated for their work in the art of hospitality.

The “#DestinationsDistilled” series is the first time that sophisticated mixology has been used to interpret destinations, bringing to life authentic experiences for discerning travellers.

Signature ”#DestinationsDistilled” cocktails will be created using fine spirits from the Diageo Reserve portfolio, including Ron Zacapa rum, Tanqueray No TEN gin, Johnnie Walker Blue label, Ketel One vodka, Don Julio 1942 tequila and Mortlach single malt, reflecting the unique flavours and textures of each destination.