After a first round at Miami’s Ice Palace Studios on June 12, Bartender Matias Grosso of Princess Cruises secured himself a place in the global final of Diageo’s Reserve World Class competition in Rio de Janeiro this July.

Four participants from Princess Cruises took part in a series of timed cocktail challenges set out to test their knowledge, innovation and creativity as well as presentation and technique. The four were: Matias Grosso – Star Princess, Deepakkumar Chauhan – Grand Princess, Jennifer Agbuya – Sapphire Princess and Eddie Pszemiarower – Ruby Princess.

Matias Grosso’s winning cocktail was ‘Spring Dew,’ made from Ciroc vodka, sweet Gewurtztraminer wine, seedless red grapes, orange flower water and a small rose petal.

Gregorio Gutierrez, managing director Diageo GTME Americas, commented how the competition has evolved to include the cruise sector for the first time in 2012.