This year, the James Beard Foundation will host its 25th annual Awards gala in Chicago on May 4th, where winners will be bestowed with what is considered the highest honor for food and beverage professionals. A gathering of the country’s top chefs, mixologists and restaurateurs, tickets to attend this prestigious ceremony aren’t easy to acquire.
Food and cocktail enthusiasts unable to make it to the Lyric Opera in Chicago can still experience a piece of the event at home by creating the JBF Bramble. The cocktail, which was created specifically to be served at the gala and enjoyed by the nominees, is made with BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Maestro de Ron, a super-premium mixing rum, lemon juice and simple syrup, topped with blackberry purée.
Adding significance to this exquisite cocktail, Bacardi will be introducing BACARDÍ Maestro de Ron for the first time at the JBF Awards, making the JBF Bramble the hit of the show.
JBF Bramble
2 parts BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Maestro de Ron
¾ parts lemon juice
¾ parts simple syrup
¾ parts of blackberry purée
Method: Shake all ingredients vigorously with plenty ice, strain into a highball glass then pack it with crushed ice and drizzle blackberry purée on top. Garnish with a blackberry skewer and basil leaf.