artLIVE – The Grand Finale of the artLIVE Mixology Championship 2023 unfolded in a thrilling and high-energy atmosphere as the competition sought to crown its most talented champion.
On October 7, the Grand Finale of the artLIVE Mixology Championship 2023 (AMC 2023) took place at the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City as part of the Taste of Saigon by artLIVE festival.
The Top 6 finalists were challenged to craft cocktails inspired by themes rooted in the culture, art, and history of both Saigon and the wider world.
A distinguished panel of judges, including Richie Fawcett, Alex Huy Trần, Elia Marchetti, and guest judge Steve Braun, were tasked with selecting the most deserving contestant to be crowned this year’s champion.
TOP 6 Round: ‘Secret Garden’
Kicking off the Grand Finale was the TOP 6 elimination round, themed “Secret Garden.” In this challenge, each contestant drew one of three flowers: rose, lavender, or hibiscus to serve as the central inspiration for their signature cocktail.
Trần Minh Hiếu – Hibiscus
As the first contestant to compete, bartender Trần Minh Hiếu from BARSON presented his creation: the Hibiscus Colada, a fresh reinterpretation of the classic Piña Colada. Drawing the hibiscus flower, he chose to blend Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum, Malibu coconut liqueur, pineapple juice, berry jam, and dried hibiscus petals.
Hiếu’s goal was to craft a cocktail where the cool aroma and subtle tartness of hibiscus would gently bloom on the palate—delivering a refreshing yet refined sensory experience.
Notably, the cocktail was garnished with a green pandan leaf, creating a striking contrast with the vibrant red hue of the hibiscus, a visual detail that impressed the judges. Minh Hiếu was also praised for his perfect balance of ingredients, demonstrating thoughtful precision in flavor composition.
Huỳnh Ngọc Huy – Hibiscus
Considered one of the standout contestants of the competition, Huỳnh Ngọc Huy brought to the Grand Finale a cocktail inspired by the hibiscus flower, crafted with gin, sugar, and lemon juice.
What truly set him apart was his blindfolded mixing technique, which added a bold performance element to his presentation and left a strong impression on the judging panel.
The young bartender aimed to deliver a truly unique experience to his audience, a symbolic gesture of growth reflecting his journey from a humble seed of passion to a confident and skilled mixologist. His inspiring story, paired with a remarkable performance, won the admiration and appreciation of the judging panel.
Đoàn Quốc Cường – Lavender
In the Grand Finale, Đoàn Quốc Cường, representing Kumihimo – JW Marriott Hanoi, drew lavender as the key ingredient for his cocktail. He crafted his creation using Dead Man’s Fingers Rum, Campari Milano Bitter, lemon juice, and Torani lavender syrup.
Cường initially planned to garnish his cocktail with lavender flowers delicately placed along the rim of the glass. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions, this artistic touch couldn’t be fully realized.
Judge Elia remarked that while the cocktail had a captivating aroma, it lacked a bit of flavor balance. Judge Alex Huy Trần praised the drink’s visual presentation, noting it resembled a piece of art despite some execution hiccups. The judging panel also encouraged Quốc Cường to embrace his passion more boldly and let his confidence shine through.
Lê Quang Trường – Lavender
The next contestant, Lê Quang Trường from Nê Boong-ke Cocktail & Wine, introduced a unique cocktail inspired by lavender. Built on a base of brandy, gin, and lemon juice, Quang Trường infused the drink with the fragrance of lavender buds, complemented by Torani rose syrup to enhance its floral flavor. His creation offered a refreshing harmony of fruit, herbs, and blossoms, resulting in a vibrant and aromatic cocktail that reflected both creativity and finesse.
Judge Elia praised Quang Trường for his precise control over ingredient proportions, which resulted in a cocktail with a well-balanced flavor profile. Meanwhile, judge Alex Huy Trần commended his ability to perform effectively under pressure, noting his strong composure and focus throughout the competition.
Ngô Thị Minh Hoàng – Rose
Ngô Thị Minh Hoàng (also known as Andy Đốm) was the only female finalist in the artLIVE Mixology Championship 2023. Using rose as her main ingredient, she crafted a refreshing cocktail blending gin, sparkling wine, lemon, and sugar, a delicate yet flavorful creation.
Andy sought to convey a meaningful message: each person carries a unique emotional hue, much like the characters in the animated film Inside Out. She encouraged us to see our emotions as a garden of flowers, which – if nurtured – can flourish beautifully day by day. Her cocktail was designed to offer more than just taste, it was meant to soothe the soul, bringing a sense of calm and happiness to those who sipped it.
Lưu Văn Tuấn – Rose
Representing Kumihimo – JW Marriott Hanoi, Lưu Văn Tuấn was considered one of the strongest contenders at AMC 2023.
Given the theme of rose, he crafted a romantic, sweet-toned cocktail using Whitley Neill Gin, rose water, Torani rose syrup, and French vanilla syrup—a drink reminiscent of the tenderness of love.
The judging panel praised Tuấn for his deep understanding of the ingredients and skillfully combining them to achieve a harmonious flavor profile. His meticulousness, care, and attention to detail were also recognized as standout qualities that left a lasting impression.
At the end of the first round, the four outstanding contestants who advanced to the next stage were Trần Minh Hiếu, Huỳnh Ngọc Huy, Lê Quang Trường, and Lưu Văn Tuấn.
TOP 4 Round: ‘Syphon Cocktail’
In the TOP 4 round, contestants faced the challenge of crafting a Syphon Cocktail, a technique that uses the principle of reverse infusion to create warm, aromatic cocktails. This innovative brewing method promised a captivating stage performance at the artLIVE Mixology Championship 2023.
Trần Minh Hiếu
For this challenge, Trần Minh Hiếu blended brandy with two types of tea: lotus tea and Jardine Bleu from France. The warmth of the cocktail was further enhanced by the inclusion of white pepper, honey, and citrus notes from orange and lemon zest.
Minh Hiếu envisioned a cocktail ideal for afternoon tea moments, offering a sense of comfort and gentle relaxation. However, his choice to use dry ice as part of the presentation drew some concern from the judges, as this ingredient requires extreme caution when used in food and beverages.
Huỳnh Ngọc Huy
For the second round, Huỳnh Ngọc Huy presented a cocktail inspired by “nước mót”—a traditional herbal drink from Hội An (Quảng Nam). His Mót Cocktail combined gin with aromatic herbs such as lemongrass, cinnamon, lime, and sugar, transporting guests to the nostalgic charm of the ancient town.
The fusion of modern technique and traditional flavor delighted judge Steve Braun, while Alex Huy Trần commended Ngọc Huy for his deep understanding of the ingredients, temperature control, and his attention to hygiene and safety throughout the process.
Lê Quang Trường
Lê Quang Trường mang đến phần thi Syphon Cocktail món thức uống được lấy cảm hứng từ hoa hoàng lan – một loài hoa chàng trai này rất yêu thích. Quang Trường kết hợp hoa hoàng lan khô cùng rượu brandy để tạo ra hỗn hợp syphon. Sau đó, anh kết hợp chúng cùng lá húng quế (basil), chanh, dứa, sirup Torani Cantaloupe và nước tonic Fentimans. Ly cocktail mang theo vị thanh thơm mát của trái cây kết hợp cùng chút đắng dễ chịu đến từ hoa hoàng lan khô đã tạo thành sự tương phản thú vị.
Judge Elia expressed great interest in Quang Trường’s creative twist, which brought out a diverse and layered flavor profile in his cocktail. Meanwhile, Judge Richie was particularly impressed by Quang Trường’s use of botanical leaves as garnish, adding a touch of artistic flair that perfectly aligned with the spirit of the competition.
Lưu Văn Tuấn
Lưu Văn Tuấn presented a cocktail titled “I Want to See Your Smile”, crafted with Scallywag Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, cinnamon tea, star anise, Torani cinnamon syrup, and lemon zest—resulting in a warm, full-bodied drink with rich, comforting flavors. Having previous experience as a barista, Tuấn was no stranger to the siphon brewing method, which contributed to his meticulousness and precision throughout the preparation process.
Judges Steve and Alex Huy Trần were both impressed by Tuấn’s ability to control temperature and precisely measure ingredients according to his recipe. His professionalism and polished technique left a strong and lasting impression on the panel.
After the TOP 4 round, the judges selected three outstanding contestants to advance to the TOP 3 of the AMC 2023 Grand Finale: Huỳnh Ngọc Huy, Lê Quang Trường, and Lưu Văn Tuấn.
TOP 3 Round: ‘Saigon Spirit‘
In the final round, the three talented finalists were tasked with creating original cocktails inspired by the theme “Saigon Spirit.” Drawing inspiration from Vietnam’s most vibrant, fast-paced, and modern city, each bartender delivered unique creations that wowed both the judging panel and the audience alike.
Lê Quang Trường – “Canh Chua Cá Lóc” (Vietnamese Sour Snakehead Fish Soup)
A cherished childhood memory of his uncle, who lived in Saigon, cooking canh chua cá lóc left a lasting impression on Lê Quang Trường. Inspired by this dish, he transformed it into a cocktail brimming with flavor and nostalgia.
He combined rum with signature canh chua ingredients: Limnophila herb (ngò ôm), tomato juice, pineapple juice, and sugar. His goal was to highlight the umami essence of the dish, often considered the soul of a traditional Vietnamese meal.
The cocktail evoked memories of family meals and became a heartfelt tribute to home, motivating Trường on his future path. His story of love and connection resonated deeply with Judge Richie, who praised both the subtlety of flavors and the emotionally compelling presentation.
Lưu Văn Tuấn – Steamed Banana Cake
Steamed banana cake (bánh chuối hấp), a beloved dessert that left a lasting impression on Lưu Văn Tuấn during a visit to Saigon, became the inspiration behind his cocktail Taste of Saigon in this final round.
He crafted the drink using brandy, Torani French Vanilla syrup, and fresh bananas, a key ingredient essential to capturing the dessert’s rich, aromatic sweetness.
To enhance both the flavor and presentation, Văn Tuấn topped his cocktail with a creamy coconut foam made from coconut cream and vanilla syrup, then sprinkled toasted coconut flakes for added texture and visual appeal.
Judge Elia noted that Tuấn’s meticulous attention to detail contributed to his confident performance. Impressed by the perfectly balanced flavor, Elia awarded Văn Tuấn a perfect score.
Huỳnh Ngọc Huy – Broken Rice Cocktail
A beloved staple of Saigon cuisine, cơm tấm (broken rice) inspired Huỳnh Ngọc Huy to create one of the boldest cocktails of the competition. He blended Scallywag Blended Malt Scotch Whisky with lime, chili, and fish sauce, iconic ingredients of Vietnamese culinary culture.
Huy delivered a vibrant and entertaining performance, donning Judge Richie’s jacket and a traditional conical hat to embody a spirited young street vendor selling cơm tấm.
His theatrical presentation and enthusiastic energy won the admiration of all four judges. However, judges Alex Huy Trần and Steve Braun noted that extra care should be taken when using bold ingredients like chili and fish sauce to ensure a balanced and enjoyable flavor experience.
After an exciting and unexpected final round, Lưu Văn Tuấn was officially crowned Champion of the artLIVE Mixology Championship 2023. He also earned the Audience Choice Award, making him the most celebrated contestant of the competition.
The Second Prize and Third Prize were awarded to two talented young bartenders: Huỳnh Ngọc Huy and Lê Quang Trường, respectively.
The artLIVE Mixology Championship 2023 concluded in a joyful and celebratory atmosphere. The competition successfully fulfilled its mission of creating a vibrant platform for bartenders across Vietnam while also opening doors for their continued growth and professional development in the future.
Photos: artLIVE
