Port of Spain, Trinidad. May 29, 2025: Angostura® is proud to announce its next Global Brand Ambassador, Kat Hood of Collage Cocktail Bar in Barcelona. Kat’s standout performance at the renowned Angostura® Global Cocktail Challenge (AGCC) saw her walking away with the first prize of US$10,000 and a two-year contract with the Company.
With bartending experience spanning nine countries, Kat brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to the craft. At Collage Cocktail Bar, she’s known for exploring new techniques, reimagining flavour profiles, and delivering an engaging guest experience that pushes the boundaries of modern mixology. As she embarks on this new journey, Kat will represent Angostura® on the global stage, sharing the brand’s rich heritage and commitment to excellence with audiences worldwide.
The second runner up of the AGCC was Australia’s Jay Cozma of Old Love’s Place and Alex Fahrenheim, from South Africa, placed third. Both Jay and Alex, have been rewarded with the role of Angostura’s Brand Ambassadors for their respective countries.
The 11th edition of the AGCC was held at the Brix Hotel in Port of Spain on May 23 with 15 top bartenders from around the world, each competing to showcase their mastery of flavour, technique and storytelling. This global competition is the culmination of 63 regional and international competitions. The finalists were from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Lithuania, Malaysia, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA and the Caribbean.
This year, the AGCC focused on Angostura’s classic cocktail, the Queen’s Park Swizzle.
All 15 global finalists and each of the entrants into the 63 local and regional heats were asked to create their unique twist on the Queen’s Park Swizzle and showcase the Caribbean’s technique of swizzling.
“It was beyond my expectations to see the competitiveness of the Angostura® Global Cocktail Challenge. It was amazing to view the interpretation of the Queen’s Park Swizzle and to hear 15 top global bartenders speak so passionately and knowledgeably about a serve and technique that is so important to Angostura®. Congratulations to all finalists for really bringing to life Angostura® and Trinidad and Tobago. Kat will be an incredible Global Ambassador for us.”
Rahim Mohammed, Angostura’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Kat’s swizzle cocktail was labelled the Galleon Sunset Swizzle and she connected with the judges, taking them on a journey with the ingredients as she told the story of the historic maritime voyages that connected east and west. The Galleon Sunset Swizzle combined Angostura® 7-Year-Old rum with apple-ginger-peppercorn cordial and miso-infused fino sherry. Kat’s market challenge cocktail was called The Butterfly’s Kiss and was a fresh contemporary rum twist.
“I’m absolutely buzzing and I couldn’t be happier to be the first woman to have won this competition and to represent not only Spain but also all the women bartenders out there. I’m looking forward to spreading the word, Angostura® rum rum rum, let’s have fun!”
Kat Hood, Winner of Angostura® Global Cocktail Challenge 2025
