My First Coffee in Good Spirits Championship – UAE 2024
When I found out that the first-ever Coffee in Good Spirits (CIGS) Championship was coming to the UAE, I knew right away, I wanted to compete. No hesitation. I messaged my manager at the time and said, “I want to go for it.” She said, “Go ahead.”
That was the beginning of a deep dive into a new world of coffee competition that combined two things I love, coffee and creativity.Starting from Zero
I began by doing what anyone should: I downloaded the rulebook and read it thoroughly. I also watched past championship routines on YouTube and even reached out to the previous year's CIGS champion on Instagram. He was humble and kind enough to reply and offer guidance on how to approach the competition. That conversation gave me more clarity about the overall structure and expectations.
From there, I started planning my strategy, beginning with understanding bar flow and table setup so I could design my routine and equipment placement effectively.The Sponsored Liquors As per the rules, here’s how the liquor and liqueur structure were laid out:
For Spirit Bar:
You blindly pick one of these:
* Baileys
* Ciroc Vodka
* Captain Morgan original Spiced Rum
* Don Julio Tequila Añejo
You have to create a surprise cocktail using that liquor or liqueur and your competition coffee.
For Stage Performance:
* 2 identical hot drinks
* 2 identical cold drinks
* All using Ron Zacapa 23 Year Rum
For Finals:
* 2 identical Irish Coffees (Singelton 12 year old whiskey)
* 2 identical signature drinks (hot or cold, using Ron Zacapa 23)Ingredient Hunting and Gear
After everything was announced, I went hunting for inspiration and ingredients. I visited one of the biggest organic grocery stores in the area, searching for unique elements that could complement both coffee and alcohol. I found ingredients like truffle honey, balsamic vinegar, chamomile tea, and more. I also gathered essential tools: vacuum sealer, heating plates, shakers, pourers, jiggers, stirrers, etc.Choosing the Right Coffee
One of the most important parts of CIGS is choosing the right coffee. Unlike regular brewing, coffee in cocktails can easily get lost due to dilution, acidity, or spirit strength. I needed something vibrant, expressive, and structured.
After tasting several coffees, I landed on a washed Colombia Geisha. It wasn’t overly viscous, but it offered a bright citrus profile, grape-like sweetness, floral aromatics, and a clean, lingering aftertaste. I paired it with a roast profile that leaned toward an omni roast, versatile enough for both espresso and filter-style presentations.My Big Mistake: Over-Focusing on Spirit Bar
Here’s where I slipped. I spent too much time preparing for the Spirit Bar round. I created four different signature drinks, one for each potential liquor, which drained a lot of energy and time.
In reality, Spirit Bar is only meant to test creativity in the moment. I should have kept it simple and flexible. Because I focused so much there, I didn’t spend enough time practicing my stage presentation.The Competition Days
In the Spirit Bar round, I went about a minute over time. It wasn’t ideal, but I made it through.
The next day, I went into the stage presentation round with almost no practice of my routine. I gave it my best, but I again went over time and was unfortunately disqualified from the finals.
Ironically, my sensory scores were actually quite good. But it wasn’t enough to move forward. And I had not yet prepared the drinks for the final round, especially the Irish Coffee.What I Would Do Differently
If I could start again, I would:
* Focus more intentionally on the stage performance
* Rehearse my movements and timing
* Avoid over-prepping drinks for Spirit Bar
* Practice with a clear structure, not in panic
One of the biggest lessons I learned was about coaching and guidance. I didn’t have a dedicated coach. Many people offered opinions, sometimes without me asking, and while I appreciated the support, it left me mentally scattered. It became hard to trust my own instinct.
Next time, I’ll keep things more private, and work with just one person, not necessarily a coach, but someone who knows the rules deeply, connects with the competition, and keeps the focus sharp.The Takeaway
Even though I didn’t make it to the finals, I gained something bigger: clarity. I now know the format, the pressure, and the value of focused practice. I understand the difference between creativity and chaos. And I know where I need to grow.
I’ll definitely be back. Stronger, smarter, and more prepared.
Until then, cheers to the journey!
