In a brief chat with Leo Ko, the first Hongkonger to win World Bartender of 2023. He shared the excitement of his victory at the World Cocktail Championship 2023. Facing unexpected challenges in Rome, Leo's journey highlights his passion and creativity. Balancing his role at Cordis, Hong Kong, Leo aspires to boost Hong Kong's standing in the global cocktail scene. His infectious charm and ambitious vision make him an inspiration for budding mixologists. Cheers to Leo Ko's historic win and his quest to shine a spotlight on Hong Kong in the world of cocktails!
HKclubbing: Leo, winning the World Cocktail Championship must have felt like a dream come true. Can you share a bit about the moment they announced you as the winner? How did it feel?
Leo: Winning the world championship is an incredible accomplishment for me. The happiness, pride, excitement, euphoria, and gratitude all blended together to create a memory that will forever be etched in my heart.
Upon hearing my name announced as the winner, a rush of mixed emotions flooded over me. Waves of happiness and pride surged through my veins, knowing that all my hard work and dedication had finally paid off. It was truly a dream come true, and an overwhelming feeling of excitement and euphoria washed over me.
In that unforgettable moment, I couldn't help but feel an immense sense of gratitude towards everyone who supported me throughout my journey. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my coaches, teammates, working partners, family, and friends who believed in me and cheered me on every step of the way. Their encouragement and guidance played a vital role in helping me reach this extraordinary achievement.
However, amidst the joy and gratitude, I also felt a sense of responsibility and a touch of stress. As the World Champion, I now carry the duty of spreading cocktail culture not only in Hong Kong but also to different parts of the world.
It is a responsibility I embrace wholeheartedly and I am committed to fulfilling it with passion and dedication. I am looking forward to the exciting challenges that lie ahead.
HKclubbing: We heard you had to tackle some tricky challenges during the competition. Can you tell us about the weirdest or most surprising thing you had to do while making cocktails in Rome?
Leo: It was an intense three-day competition, consisting of three rounds of rigorous challenges, including preliminaries on sparkling, after dinner, long drink, before dinner, low ABV, semi-final sensorial and knowledge, semi-final speed round, and the ultimate Super Final.
Among all the challenges, I found the sensorial round to be the most challenging, yet it was the one in which I felt the most confident. In this particular challenge, each contestant was presented with 12 glasses of flavored water and tasked with identifying specific flavors, such as sweet, sour, bitter, umami, and more, within a strict two-minute timeframe.
This challenge truly tested the mixologists' ability to possess a strong and discerning palate. Fortunately, my extensive training in taste and smell proved to be invaluable, and I was deeply honored to have been awarded the Best Sensory Skill.
HKclubbing: Being the first person from Hong Kong to win this big award is incredible! Did you celebrate with a special drink, and if so, what was it?
Leo: To maintain the sensitivity of my palate, I am not a frequent drinker now.
However, if I were to indulge in a celebratory beverage, I would choose Champagne from Krug. This particular choice holds a special significance for me, as it was the drink that my friends brought to commemorate my victory in the Hong Kong Cocktail Championship. It serves as a reminder of the milestones I have achieved and the friendships that have flourished along my journey as a mixologist.
HKclubbing: Your cocktail, "Came to Connect," sounds like a tasty adventure. How did you come up with the idea, and what's the secret ingredient that makes it so unique?
Leo: Came to Connect is created based on the competition theme of "Road to Rome." During my visit to Rome, I was captivated by the plethora of charming coffee shops. It sparked the idea of combining the essence of Hong Kong's iconic local drink, Yuen Yeung (a combination of local-style milk tea and coffee), with the rich coffee culture of Italy.
Yuen Yeung is a beloved and popular coffee-infused beverage cherished by the people of Hong Kong. Drawing inspiration from these two vibrant coffee cultures, I set out to reimagine Yuen Yeung's unique flavour elements in a way that would resonate with Italian coffee aficionados.
By infusing the flavors and elements of Yuen Yeung into a delightful blend, Came to Connect encapsulates the harmonious fusion of Hong Kong's cherished drink and the Italian coffee tradition. It's a tribute to the diverse and interconnected world of coffee, inviting people to experience the flavours of both cultures in a single sip.
HKclubbing: Balancing work at Cordis, Hong Kong and being a champion bartender sounds like a juggling act. How do you manage to keep everything in order, and do you have any super-secret time management tips?
Leo: My time management tips are universally applicable and can be implemented in various contexts – maintaining a clear mind-set and staying organised in different areas, ranging from event beverage ordering, controlling beverage revenue ratios, and managing store inventory.
I strongly believe in the effectiveness of coaching and training, too. By investing in these areas, I can ensure consistent beverage quality without the need for constant oversight. This allows me to allocate my time and attention to other aspects of my role while maintaining the quality of our beverages.
In addition to my regular work, I actively participate in guest shift events, which expose me to different bar environments. This invaluable experience enhances my adaptability to diverse settings, ultimately benefiting my performance in cocktail competitions.
HKclubbing: Hong Kong is known for its amazing food, but cocktails not so much. What's one local flavour or ingredient you think could make Hong Kong's cocktails stand out on the world stage?
Leo: I would choose the Butter pineapple bun. Hailing from Hong Kong's renowned Cha Chaan Tang, this cherished delight possesses the potential to be reimagined as a cocktail and make a remarkable impression on the global stage of food and drink enthusiasts.
With its distinctive blend of savory and sweet flavors, buttery and flaky textures, and rich cultural significance, it offers a taste experience that is both comforting and exhilarating.
HKclubbing: Imagine you're creating a special drink for someone who's never tried a cocktail before. What ingredients would you use, and what would you call it?
Leo: I will undoubtedly infuse vodka into the cocktail, as it is a versatile spirit that lacks color, taste, and smell. This quality makes it easier to blend with other juices, fruits, or soft drinks while adding a touch of personality to the cocktail, making it an excellent choice for beginners
HKclubbing: Winning this award opens up new opportunities. If you could collaborate with any celebrity or brand to make a signature cocktail, who or what would it be?
Leo: Rather than working with a celebrity or brand, I would prefer to collaborate with AI, as it offers a more out-of-the-box, trend-forward, and original approach.
HKclubbing: We all have our favourite drinks. What's your go-to drink when you're not working, and why do you love it so much?
Leo: My favourite drink is Cha Chaan Tang Iced Milk Tea. It serves as a refreshing pick-me-up beverage for me.
HKclubbing: For someone who's just starting to learn about cocktails, what's one easy recipe you'd recommend they try at home to impress their friends?
Leo: I would recommend trying the Cosmopolitan at home. It is a fruity and easy-to-drink cocktail that allows for adjustments in the alcoholic level. With its appealing colors, it is a drink that can be enjoyed by both men and women.
Recipe
45ml Ketel One Citrone Vodka / Roku Gin (adjust alcoholic level)
20ml Cointreau Liqueur
10ml Fresh Lime Juice
20ml Cranberry juice
Add the ingredients to shaker and shake to finish.
HKclubbing: Could you share a life quote that has motivated you to achieve more?
Leo: The competition in life is not about speed and status high or low , but about your awareness and endurance towards the goals you set.
Follow Leo's Instagram HERE.
(Image source: Provided by Cordis Hotel)
