Tiki Master MIAMI 2026
- daniele dalla pola
- Mar 13
- 3 min read
Tiki Master: Searching for the Modern Beachcomber
Special thanks to Jim “Hurricane” Hayward of The Atomic Grog for his continued support of the event and the global tiki community, and for contributing the original coverage that inspired this post.
Mahalo Nui Loa to Sergio “Shaka” Figueroa for the video and for capturing the spirit and energy of the competition.
The Tiki Master Cocktail Competition was created by globe-trotting tiki ambassador Daniele Dalla Pola, owner of Kaona Room and founder of Nu Lounge Bar. Known for spreading tiki culture around the world, Dalla Pola continues to push the movement forward with new projects, including an upcoming cocktail book and future developments in Mexico.
Tiki Master was designed to celebrate both the heritage of classic tiki cocktails and the creativity of modern mixology. At its heart, the competition is a search for what Dalla Pola calls the modern beachcomber.
A beachcomber behind the bar is more than just a bartender, it’s an adventurer. Someone who can blend imagination with rum, craft cocktails that tell stories, and transport guests to another place with a single sip.
A Global Tiki Competition
Since its creation, Tiki Master has grown into an international platform that brings together bartenders who share a deep passion for rum, storytelling, hospitality, and the tropical spirit of tiki culture.
Competitors are challenged to create original cocktails using a wide range of rum brands and sponsor ingredients. Each drink is evaluated not only on flavor and balance, but also on creativity, storytelling, presentation, tiki inspiration, and replicability behind the bar.
Prizes celebrate the artistry of tiki culture itself. Winners receive rare and special-release rums, collectible mugs and barware, and custom pieces such as one-of-a-kind tiki bowls created by renowned Florida mug artist John Mulder of Eeekum Bookum.
The U.S. Edition: A Battle of Creativity
One memorable edition of the competition took place in Miami Beach, where nine talented bartenders gathered for an evening of tropical creativity and fierce competition.
After a series of impressive presentations, Ryan Jones of the Tampa are, representing Morgan’s Cove and Don the Beachcomber, claimed victory with his cocktail Black Pearl, becoming the first U.S. champion of the worldwide Tiki Master competition.
Second place went to Michael DeMahy, formerly of Mai-Kai, with his cocktail Shipwreck at the Crossroads, while Ksenia Serebrennikova of Panamericano Bar earned third place with V for Victory.
The competition featured nine outstanding bartenders presenting original tiki creations:
• Alfonso Beliz — Marabu
• Michael DeMahy — ex-Mai-Kai
• Kike Diaz — Uchi Miami
• Dizz Fernandez — Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto / Permanent Vacation
• Parker Jochum — The Edison
• Ryan Jones — Morgan’s Cove / Don the Beachcomber
• Gustavo Pena — Casa Gianna, Gale Hotel
• Frank Santiesteban — Café La Trova
• Ksenia Serebrennikova — Panamericano Bar
Each competitor brought a unique interpretation of tiki, blending rum traditions with personal creativity and storytelling.
Judging the Spirit of Tiki
The judging panel included tiki mug artist John Mulder, rum experts Myssi Davis (The Rum Traveler) and Joe Horstkamp, along with writer Jim “Hurricane” Hayward of The Atomic Grog, one of the most respected voices documenting modern tiki culture.
Together they evaluated each cocktail on multiple elements that define great tiki bartending:
Creativity
Flavor and balance
Technique and execution
Storytelling and presentation
Authentic tiki inspiration
Replicability behind the bar
Celebrating the Culture
Beyond the competition itself, Tiki Master is ultimately a celebration of a global community, bartenders, collectors, artists, rum lovers, and storytellers who keep tiki culture alive and evolving.
The event concluded with awards that included custom mugs created specifically for the contest and rare rum bottles. The champion received a one-of-a-kind tiki bowl crafted by John Mulder, while other finalists and participants walked away with signature Tiki Master mugs and prizes provided by sponsors.
More importantly, every competitor contributed to the continuing story of tiki, a world where rum, creativity, and adventure meet behind the bar.
Mahalo to Our Sponsors
This event would not be possible without the incredible support of our partners and sponsors who continue to believe in the spirit of tiki, creativity, and the global bar community.
A heartfelt thank you to: Barbancourt Rhum, Luxardo, Saint James Rhum, Planteray Rum, Myers’s Rum, El Dorado Demerara Rum, Ron Carúpano, Les Vergers Boiron, Donaveg Mezcal, London No.1 Gin, Cutty Sark Whisky, Cocktail Kingdom, and Bam Bam Barware for their generous support and contributions.
Special thanks as well to Moxy Hotel, Kaona Room, and Tikitaly for hosting, supporting, and helping bring the Tiki Master experience to life.
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