Prasenjit Nayek

Competing for Future Icon 2026

My name is Prasenjit Nayek, and today I'm proud to represent Bacardí Future Icons 2026 from Sky Point, ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata. Today, I'd like to present my reimagined Daiquiri, 'Bitter Harvest. People know bitter gourd for one thing—its bitterness. I chose to see its potential. Growing up in a farming family, I learned that every ingredient has a purpose. As a bartender, I wanted to transform an ingredient that many people overlook into something elegant and memorable. I turned bitter into beautiful. To do that, I stayed true to the soul of the Daiquiri. Bacardí Carta Blanca provides a clean, crisp rum foundation that allows every ingredient to shine in perfect balance. I paired bitter gourd with green apple for freshness, Gondhoraj lime for its vibrant citrus aroma, and Honey for a smooth sweetness inspired by Bengal. Finally, I used milk clarification to refine the bitterness without losing its identity. Recipe (Milk Wash) * 60 ml Bacardí Carta Blanca * 25 ml bitter-gourd & green-apple sous-vide infusion * 22.5 ml fresh Gondhoraj lime juice * 10 ml honey (multi floral) * 2 drops 10% saline solution , fine strain into a old fashioned and garnish with a delicate bitter