Celebs Go Head-to-Head in an Epic Bartending Battle for a Cause

Where: The Refined, 2/F Fort Pointe II Building, The Fort Strip, BGC, Taguig CIty
When: November 19, Tuesday
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Entrance: Get 2 stubs for 2 cocktails for Php 600 to enter the event  

Join us for a night of fun and drinks at DrinkManila Bartender Throwdown 2019! DrinkManila Bartender Throwdown is a series of bar takeovers where DrinkManila mentors take two teams of drink enthusiasts, teach them bartending basics and guide them in making their signature cocktails. The teams will compete against each other in an epic bar shift, the group that sells the most drinks wins. The winning team not only gets bragging rights but also get to donate part of the proceeds to their non-profit organization of choice.

This year, two gorgeous teams will go head-to-head behind the bar for their chosen charities. 

TEAM 8ONE 

Musical act 8ONE is our first team on the roster. Made up of Brazilian bombshell TV host, singer, and actress Daiana Menezes and music producer Tommie King, they come into the Throwdown with their cool demeanor and easygoing style. But don’t be fooled, they are coming into the Throwdown to win. “I mean, no one likes to represent losers,” Tommie jokes.

8ONE has chosen The Red Whistle—a collaborative platform supporting People Living with HIV and AIDS through various media awareness campaigns—as their beneficiary if they win the competition. Daiana has been a long-time supporter of The Red Whistle and has participated in numerous campaigns over the years. “We’re joining the Bartender Throwdown because we want to help The Red Whistle to spread HIV awareness,” Daiana shares. “So support #SaveSexy by drinking a little bit with us, because the more we drink, the more we help.”

Daiana wanted a tart skinny drink that has little sugar. The result is a fresh, sour, straight-up cocktail that will make you salivate. She created her drink with SelvaRey White, guyabano juice, calamansi juice, lemon Juice, Giffard Pistachio syrup, aromatic bitters, garnished with lemon peel. The cocktail is named after their song Feels Like. “When you drink it, it just feels like…masarap (yummy),” she says.

Tommie decided on a tall, refreshing drink for his cocktail, Back to the Crib, also named after one of their songs. His drink contains SelvaRey Cacao, pomelo juice, lime juice, Giffard Rose liqueur, tonic water, garnished with basil leaves, and orange peel.  

TEAM XIDU 

DJs Christi McGarry and Eduardo Lara, combined their names (X for Christ plus i, and Du from Eduardo), to come up with their team name. Drink enthusiasts with a competitive streak, these two are ready to win. “We’re competitive by nature,” shares Christi, “So this is an awesome opportunity for us to be competitive and have fun at the same time.”

Their chosen non-profit is Project Cora, an organization that is all about empowering the youth and local communities to take climate action and beat plastic pollution. “We chose Planet Cora because although the Philippines maybe what we consider the most beautiful place on earth, we’re also fully aware that the Philippines is one of the largest contributors to plastic pollution in the world. We hope to find a way to save and preserve this place we call home,” Christi says. “We wanted a cause that focuses on these concerns, especially here on our local soil, to spread awareness into our communities and to take action and beat plastic pollution.”

Team Xidu took the ‘opposites attract’ adage into their drink concepts. They’re opposites of each other; Christi’s from tough, creative New York, while Eduardo’s from sunny, vibrant Brazil.

A riff off the old fashioned, Christi’s drink, is dark and bold. Made of SelvaRey Cacao, Giffard Cacao Liqueur (white), Angostura bitters, orange bitters, and garnished with orange peel, her straightforward, silky drink is aptly named Yin, the dark half that is associated with the feminine.

Eduardo wanted to pay homage to Brazil’s Caipirinha with his cocktail. His cocktail is a lush concoction that will take your taste buds on a tropical journey. Made with SelvaRey White, lime juice, calamansi juice, pineapple juice, mango juice, mint, Giffard Mint syrup, finished with lime peel, and garnished with mint sprigs, his cocktail is named Yang, the lighter half associated with the masculine.

Each of them has a unique cocktail that shows their personality and creativity in the flavors that they chose. For cocktail enthusiasts, it’s worth to try all, as they have diverse approaches in flavor profiles. There’s something for everyone. 

The second DrinkManila drink-for-a-cause event will be held at The Refined Lounge at BGC on November 19, Tuesday, from 9 pm to 11 pm. The event is plastic-free, so bring your reusable straws with you. Drink sales will determine the winner, so better come thirsty and show your support by buying your team’s cocktails. Each team will be presenting two (2) cocktails at Php 300 each. To gain access to the event, get two (2) cocktail stubs. To get a drink and cast your vote, drop your stub in your team’s jar in exchange for your chosen cocktail. You can buy as many stubs as you like at the reception area as support for your favorite teams.

It’s going to be a night of fun, music, and cocktails, so don’t miss it!

See what happened at last year’s DrinkManila Throwdown event 

DrinkManila Bartender Throwdown is brought to you by VASST Exchange International Inc., Giffard Syrups and Liqueurs, Savoroso Inc., The Refined Lounge, D1 Milano, World Class Concepts Corp., Ocean Glass, Wilmax England, Curious Textures, Benefit Cosmetics Philippines, Planet Cora, and The Red Whistle. 

For reservations, please contact +63 916 219 1129. For updates follow @DrinkManila and check out the hashtags: #DrinkManila #DMThrowdown