Forget the ordinary gin and tonic. At the Marriott International APEC Rising Star 2025 competition in Bangkok, mixologists turned back the clock and turned up the creativity by reviving forgotten ingredients in cocktails that celebrate culture, sustainability, and pure artistry.

From Thai gardens to Indian spice racks and Singaporean coffee grounds, 14 of Marriott’s most talented bartenders from across Asia Pacific (excluding China) went head-to-head to shake, stir, and reinvent the meaning of modern mixology.

The night belonged to Jakkrit Promchaosit from W Bangkok’s Bar Sathorn, whose winning creation Sathorn Garden captured the spirit of Thailand in a glass.

This show-stopping cocktail blended Código Tequila with mint grown on-property, Japanese cucumber, coconut, and even a dash of grasshopper, all clarified in coconut cream for a silky finish. The result? A fresh, delicate, and deeply local twist that wowed the judges and earned Jakkrit the title of Marriott International APEC’s Rising Star 2025. “I wanted to bring Bangkok’s soul into the drink,” said Jakkrit. “It’s about rediscovering what’s around us — and transforming it into something extraordinary.”

Taking first runner-up was Jun Gyu from The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, who proved that sustainability can be seriously stylish. His cocktail, Caramboleh, was a tropical dream: Monkey 47 Gin paired with starfruit, sour plum, and a one-of-a-kind syrup made from recycled coffee grounds.

Second runner-up honors went to Akshay Kumar from JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity for The Imperfect Martini, a fiery remix of the classic dirty martini with jalapeño brine, olive brine, and a splash of orange juice. Bold, zesty, and unapologetically fun, just like Akshay himself.

The Grand Final at W Bangkok was the culmination of months of fierce creativity. Over 240 bartenders from Marriott hotels across APEC competed in local rounds, designing cocktails inspired by sustainability and local heritage. More than 19,000 cocktails were sold throughout the competition, each glass a story of forgotten ingredients and revived traditions.

At the finals, the top 14 contenders faced a mystery box challenge and were tasked with adding a personal twist to a classic cocktail. Creativity, showmanship, and flavor ruled the night.

“For us at Marriott International APEC, diversity is our strength,” said Petr Raba, Vice President of Food & Beverage. “The Rising Star competition brings together the best of our region’s flavors, talent, and imagination. Each cocktail is a reflection of our people and the places they come from.”

The competition shines a light on how local ingredients, sustainability, and storytelling can redefine the global cocktail scene. As the lights dimmed and the last glasses clinked, one thing was clear: the future of mixology in Asia Pacific is vibrant, responsible, and deeply rooted in local culture.

From Jakkrit’s Thai garden infusions to Jun Gyu’s zero-waste approach and Akshay’s fearless reinvention of classics, this year’s Rising Stars made history in the cocktail scene. So the next time you sip something extraordinary at a Marriott bar, know this: it might just be inspired by a forgotten ingredient waiting to be remembered.