The 2023 Licor 43 Bartenders & Baristas Challenge Crowns a Champion

Now in it’s seventh year, the Licor 43 Bartenders & Baristas Challenge has crowned a winner for 2023: Gabriela Wong Arias from La Esquina de Buenos Aires in San José, Costa Rica.

As in years past, Licor 43 called on coffee and cocktail pros around the world to showcase their creativity in pairing Licor 43 and coffee. This year’s finalists gathered in Madrid for a two-day immersion in the cocktails, coffee, and culture of Licor 43’s home country.  “Madrid is one of the, if not the, most important cities in Spain for mixology, plus gastronomy, art, and entertainment,” says Licor 43 Global Brand Director, Oliver Svatek. Wong’s winning cocktail, “Capital Vice,” was inspired by the seven sins and combined Licor 43, brandy, pineapple cordial, and nutmeg and cardamom cold brew.

This year’s runners up were Esau Jiménez from The Boss Speakeasy in Morelia Michoacán, México, and Joe Arakawa from Anima in Las Vegas. European bar educator Gavin Wrigley served as this year’s host, and the 2023 judging panel was led once again by international barista champion Merijn Gijsbers, who was joined by bartender Spaniard Benabeu and last year’s winner, Yefferson Avila. 

As the 2023 winner, Wong receives a bursary to put towards professional equipment and career development, a place on next year’s judging panel, and the title of Licor 43 Coffee Master for 2024, appearing with the brand at key international events.

Head to bbchallenge.licor43.com for more on this year’s competition.