Each year, 100 applicants with experience in hospitality can participate in the training led by the Bacardí Mojito Mixer School. Over five weeks, they can attend twice-weekly sessions in groups of 25 to acquire practice-focused knowledge. The course, led by István Ludányi, follows a proven structure and covers all key areas – from equipment knowledge to exploring the possibilities of mixing and the essential facts behind alcohol brands – working together with Coca-Cola HBC brand ambassadors.
The closing event for the 2025 class was held on 5 June in Budapest at Mitico Bar, sponsored by Finlandia Vodka. Eight finalists competed with their own cocktail creations based on Finlandia Vodka before a professional jury. The jury included Pekka Pellinen, Global Brand Ambassador of Finlandia Vodka; Attila Bús, the brand’s local ambassador; and Réka Szalai, last year’s winner of the training programme, who currently works at Elysian Budapest. Four mentor bars – Mitico, Virtu Restaurant, Blue Fox The Bar, Schrödinger Macskája Bar – supported the preparation of the competitors.
