Miguel Martínez Arocho, a bartender from Puerto Rico, will compete in the global final of Hennessy MyWay in Paris, France, after winning the first edition of the competition in Puerto Rico on July 15 at The Backroom Speakeasy in Caguas. Martínez, who works at Identidad Cocktail Bar, will represent Puerto Rico in the international final, marking the island’s debut in the global platform, which drew around 2,000 bartenders from 60 countries and selected 25 finalists.
According to Ana Velasco, brand manager for Ballester Hermanos, this edition marks Puerto Rico’s first participation in Hennessy MyWay, a global competition that celebrates purpose-driven mixology and challenges participants to go beyond creating a cocktail, integrating creativity, sustainability, product knowledge, storytelling, and service rituals. Martínez, who has 10 years of experience in the industry, wants to showcase not only his work but also a sample of Puerto Rico’s identity, hospitality, and the level of mixology being developed on the island.
He has competed in several competitions, including The Perfect Serve in 2019 and 2020, and the Bartist Bar Skills Challenge 2026, where he took first place. Martínez’s professional approach is marked by a vision that transcends the preparation of drinks, focusing on the overall experience, from the moment the customer enters the establishment to the final touch of the cocktail.
He will face his first international competition in Paris, where he hopes to learn and create connections with bartenders from around the world.