Paola Silva, a bartender at the Puerto Rico restaurant Efímero and winner of the Cointreau Margarita Challenge Puerto Rico 2026, has been selected to compete in the challenge’s world final. Silva travels to France on November 13 to join the other finalists. She qualified through the Wild Card category after her cocktail Terruño, the margarita with which she won the local competition, stood out to the international jury for its creativity, technical execution and conceptual approach.
Terruño, inspired by the connection between soil, root and sprout, uses the whole carrot as its central element, combining tequila, Cointreau, a fermented cordial of green apple and carrot leaves, citrus solution, orange blossom water and simple syrup, topped with carrot, miso and honey. Melissa Alicea, Cointreau Brand Manager at CC1 Wine & Spirits, said Silva’s selection is an extraordinary opportunity to project the talent behind Puerto Rico’s bars.
Silva took first place in the Puerto Rico edition held August 17 at Arena Medalla, where 11 bartenders chosen from 98 entries faced three challenges. The sixth edition, under the concept Shake It Up, invites participants to challenge cocktail conventions. The final in France is a three-day experience of challenges, training and exchange with industry professionals.
The world winner receives a budget of 5,000 euros for guest-bartender appearances at international venues and a trip for two to France.