Nexus Resort Karambunai, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Azlan Amat and Roberto Leyva of Nexus Resort showed how to mix – and shake – a winning cocktail at the recent De Kuyper and 42 Below Cocktail World Cup 2008 Regional Competition in Kota Kinabalu.

Azlan Amat from the Sunset Bar & Grill outlet emerged the winner in the De Kuyper category. His creation, Aquastaria, blends flavoured liqueurs that De Kuyper is well-known for with exotic fruit juices. The impressed judges gave him top marks for his creativity and a chance to compete against the best in Malaysia at the Grand Finals later this month.

Roberto Leyva from Splashes Poolside Bar outlet competed in the 42 Below category which is to create a winning cocktail using the New Zealand brand of flavoured vodka, 42 Below. He emerged 1st runner up with Chonna, a combination of vodka, liqueur and fruit juice.

Forty eight professional and amateur bartenders from Sabah and Sarawak competed in the event which is the third in a series of 4 competitions nationwide. The winner and runner-up in each category will have a chance to compete in the Grand Finals to be held on 30 April in Kuala Lumpur. The winners at the Grand Finals will then represent Malaysia and compete with other bartenders around the world in the Netherlands for the De Kuyper Worldcup 2008 and in New Zealand for the 42 Below Cocktail Worldcup 2008.

Nexus Resort has eight restaurants and bars which offer all-day dining, Western and Asian cuisines, and an extensive beverage list for superb dining options.

Aquastaria is a blend of De Kuyper flavoured liqueurs, rum and tropical fruit juices

Chonna, 1st runner up in the 42 Below category, combines 42 Below flavoured vodka, De Kuyper liqueur and tropical fruit juices

Roberto Leyva and Azlan Amat pose with their certificates at Nexus Resort Karambunai

This is the first outing for Roberto Leyva and Azlan Amat (with Beverage Manager Nordin Abbas) in the 42 Below & De Kuyper Worldcup competition