As BOMBAY SAPPHIRE moves closer to its goal of becoming the first major gin brand to be made with 100% sustainably sourced botanicals, it is proud to announce that master mixologist Leighton Rathbone has been selected as the first South African BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Sustainability Ambassador.
Rathbone, Beverage Manager for the award winning boutique hotel Gorgeous George in Cape Town, was selected following an extensive process in which the country’s leading cocktail masters participated in the inaugural BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Creators Hub.
Creator’s Hub is a platform to help bartenders across the country magnify their creative self-expression and hone their personal brands.
Bacardi Portfolio Brand Ambassador Cameron Hawkins, who led the distinguished panel, said the judges were impressed by Rathbone’s meticulous and imaginative pitch, in which he proposed that the by-products from cocktail making including citrus husks and mint stems and discarded leaves could be repurposed.
“Inspiring mixologists to stir their creativity while trying to drive sustainability within the hospitality industry is at the heart of the Creator’s Hub, and this was a notion which Leighton truly embraced through his presentation.
He displayed a very clear plan of what he wanted to do, and how he can implement it. His passion for sustainability was tangible – and, the fact that he has already driven sustainability culture within his bar prior to Creator’s Hub speaks volumes for his commitment in ushering positive change.”
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE will help provide R30 000 seed funding for Rathbone’s concept, which entails the creation of a useful waste creation service which will recycle and process by products from hospitality venues around Cape Town.
Products from the waste will be harnessed into a host of products including syrups and cordials which can provide the basis for new cocktails.
Rathbone’s concept complements BOMBAY SAPPHIRE’S 360-degree approach to sustainability, which, has seen the iconic premium gin from family-owned Bacardi Limited, announce last year that all 10 of its botanical ingredients are on track to be certified sustainable according to the For Life standard.
And Rathbone, who also proposes the creation of a sustainable pop up bar where hospitality staff can “trade their usable waste for drinks”, will soon also learn first-hand about the brand’s investments in new innovations to creative solutions to complex challenges. As part of his prize, the mixologist will visit the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE distillery in Laverstoke, England, which has set a new standard for sustainability. The distillery’s design, by esteemed architect Thomas Heatherwick, is rated ‘outstanding’ by BREEAM, the most recognised environmental assessment for buildings.
Rathbone, who describes himself as “a passionate creative artist in the medium of vision, taste and hearing” said the immersive and stimulating Creator’s Hub in which he and his peers heard from inspiring cross industry professionals including Why Cook duo Yolanda Dlamini and Mathapelo Montsho, celebrated illustrator Russell Abrahams and designer Craig Jacobs, recognised for founding Africa’s first ethical and eco-conscious brand Fundudzi, encouraged him to think differently and think bravely when crafting his concept.
“A key aspect of the Creator’s Hub which I particularly appreciated was the exposure to professionals from fields outside the hospitality industry from which we could draw inspiration. This really broke the mould compared to the usual spirit brand events, workshops and competitions and I feel all of us who participated are so much better as a result.
“When Cameron pointed out that our concept needn’t be based in our venues, it really got my mind going because it allowed me to find a way to uplift my fellow hospitality peers while reflecting my dedication to sustainability. I know that putting my concept into action is going to be a lot of work, but what far outweighs that is my excitement in knowing that I will be helping to bring noticeable change in my local.
