Diageo World Class: One Man’s Globetrotting Adventure to Find the Best Cocktails on the Planet

It's a tough job, but someone had to do it. A new travel series, World Class List, follows the adventures of Carey Watkins, 27, as he explores the rising trend of cocktail culture, journeying across the globe to some of the world's most dynamic cities to create the ultimate guide to better drinking.

     (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/494321/Diageo_World_Class.jpg )

Aspiring Australian musician and drinks enthusiast Carey, who lives in Los Angeles, was selected from hundreds to become the host of the new travel series, to be released on Amazon Prime in selected countries from next week. The series champions the rise of global cocktail culture and seeks to inspire people to drink better and create unforgettable experiences in the process and is created by World Class, the organisers of the world's biggest bartending competition.  World Class is an initiative created by leading spirits company Diageo, the makers of Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky, Tanqueray no. Ten Gin and Ketel One Vodka amongst others.

During the five-part series, Carey explores the best of what to see, do, eat and drink in five of the world's most exciting cities - Sydney, Taipei, Barcelona, San Francisco and Mexico. Led on his journey by the world's best bartenders, the result is a travel series with a twist, and the creation of the ultimate drinks list.

The five renowned World Class bartenders - each a winner of their national World Class Bartender of the Year Competition - share their inside knowledge of their city and passion for better drinking with Carey, presenting their cocktail inspired by their experiences, to feature on the World Class List.

Among the list is a smooth digestif from Australia made with whisky and freshly brewed coffee and a Californian brunch-time alternative to the Bloody Mary combining vodka, carrot juice and fennel.

In his search, Carey experiences some unforgettable moments, including an energetic introduction to Mexican wrestling, spearfishing his own seafood to pair with Tanqueray gin and grapefruit in Sydney and celebrating New Year's Eve drinking cocktails under fireworks on a boat in San Francisco Bay.

Carey Watkins said: "When I found out I'd be the host, I was just really overwhelmed. I definitely didn't comprehend the fact that I was about to travel around the world for six weeks, and by no means did I realise just how good this job was. The whole thing was incredible, and I got to do things I would never normally do.

"The trip very quickly became unbelievable, and nine times out of ten I was doing something I hadn't done before - and would never have done. I do love to travel, but more than anything I love to meet people, to talk to people and form relationships. To combine that with travelling around the world - and learning how these bartenders hone their craft while tasting their unbelievable drinks - literally is the dream job .I was truly blown away by all five of those drinks - everything from the colours, to the smells, to the taste - they were unbelievably good." 

World Class Global Director Johanna Dalley said: "World Class List is a global tour delivered by the world's best bartenders who are the ultimate concierges in their own cities. World Class bartenders don't just create the most amazing drinks - they are the in-the-know community who can also serve up the best experiences a city has to offer. This is their little black book of what to see, do, eat and drink, making it a must-see for anyone interested in food, drink or travel.

"We created the series to showcase incredible bartender talent and to inspire people to drink better - to try the amazing drinks on offer in bars all over the world, or to up their game and have a go at making them at home." 

World Class List will be released on Amazon Prime in selected countries from 1^st May and is available to watch now on MakeItWorldClass.com/List . Follow on Instagram @WorldClass #WorldClassList.