Origin Bar mixologist wins the second edition of cocktail competition in Bangkok, Thailand
BANGKOK – Aki Nakata on Monday was crowned the regional champion of the Nikka Perfect Serve South-East Asia (SEA) 2024 cocktail competition. The bartender triumphed over nine other finalists from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, securing the title in the final held at The House of Sathorn in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jointly hosted by Nikka Whisky, their Thai partners Bootleggers Trading Co. and La Maison du Whisky Asia-Pacific, South-East Asia’s distributor of Nikka, Nikka Perfect Serve proudly crowned its second winner.
It was a moment of special significance for Aki, who is a mixologist at Origin Bar in Shangri-La Singapore. Inheriting the title from 2023’s winner Erika Danielle of Cat Bite Club, the Japanese-born bartender is the second from a Singapore establishment to win Nikka Perfect Serve SEA.
Aki made a lasting impression on the three judges representing Nikka, who celebrated their 90th Anniversary in 2024 as one of Japan’s most esteemed whisky distillers and the organisers of the tournament.
For Nikka’s ninth decade milestone, the 10 finalists – four from Singapore and Thailand, plus two from Malaysia – were tasked to create two cocktails for three role-playing judges, who evaluated them based on her hospitality, communication, bartending proficiency, product knowledge, and the selection and excellence of the beverages crafted.
Working expertly with a range of Nikka spirits, the 10 crafted their exceptional serves according to two themes. They imagined a Dual Harmony cocktail, imagined for Nikka Founder Masataka Taketsuru and his wife Rita Cowan were they to walk into their bar to celebrate the 90th Anniversary. Their second cocktail was for an Omakase round where the judges played indecisive guests, leading contestants to improvise a bespoke Nikka cocktail.
Over the course of both rounds, Aki impressed judges most. Giovanni Graziadei, Director of Beverage at The Singapore EDITION and Singapore’s representative judge, glowed: “Aki was exceptional. Her hospitality was genuine and authentic. The way she presented her special drink was particularly impressive.”
Malaysian judge, culinary director Jun Wong, added: “She handled it with remarkable composure, blending storytelling with tact to defuse the awkwardness. Her strong focus on fresh ingredients, like the apples, was evident. She effortlessly juggled the demands of the task with engaging conversation.”
It was fitting of the judges to champion Aki, who accepted her honour with typical humility and soft-spoken grace. “Collaboration is essential to my craft. Whether working alongside colleagues, team members, or friends, I believe in the power of shared creativity. This cocktail is a product of that spirit,” the Origin Bar mixologist explained.
“That’s why I incorporated universally-available ingredients like honey and apple into my standout cocktail made with Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, and complemented everything with the citrus notes of bergamot liqueur.
“I was brought up in Japan and now, being able to explore the world outside makes me equally passionate about learning about different cultures and flavours. It’s a fulfilling challenge to blend the best of both worlds.”
Aki will be able to do exactly that when she travels to Paris, France to compete for the Nikka Perfect Serve 2024 world title set for December 2 and 3 against the other 15 winners from various Nikka Perfect Serve tournaments globally.
Beyond the honour of potentially securing the grand prize, the global victor and runner-up will receive invitations for an enriching trip to Japan. There, they’ll delve into the Japanese bar scene and tour Nikka’s distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo.
Evan Flynn, hailing from Death and Company in New York City, currently holds the title of reigning world champion. He was crowned the global Nikka Perfect Serve winner in the tournament’s 12th edition in 2023.
Chanond Purananda, Thailand’s representative judge, was extremely complimentary of Nikka Perfect Serve, praising its real-world criteria. “This cocktail competition was incredibly fascinating,” he said.
“It’s all new to me. It’s a unique format that truly captures the essence of a bartender’s role. We spent a lot of time acting out different customer scenarios.”
“Overall, the performances were outstanding, and the drinks were fantastic. It was a truly great day,” Giovanni concluded.
