Bombay Saphhire gin, a brand of Bacardi Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda, named David Wolowidnyk of Canada the World’s Most Imaginative Bartender. The contest was hosted in Morocco where eight finalists took part in a four-day experience visiting the Moroccan home of one of the Bombay Sapphire botanicals, coriander, and exploring the world of the historic gin.

The competition, which included bartenders from Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, took place at Dar Sabra in Marrakech, Morocco. Each bartender was tasked with creating the most imaginative cocktail — combining their individual influences with the cultural experiences they had seen throughout the trip.

The winning bartender, Wolowidnyk, created the Beldi, a cocktail that infused Bombay Sapphire with Morroccan saffron and ginseng, which was then mixed with Martini Bianco that was cold-steeped in Morroccan mint tea, cinnamon syrup and bitters.  In addition to receiving the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender title, Wolowidnyk also earned a place in the brand’s Cocktail Hall of Fame and will partake in various duties including attending the 2013 opening of the new Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstroke Mill in England. He also will serve on the judging panel for next year’s contest.