Miroslav Kljajic – a mixologist at the Alchemy Bar aboard the Carnival Glory — has been named “Bartender of the Year” at the 2016 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Competition, which attracted over 4,000 entries from top bartenders from major cruise and ferry lines worldwide.  This marks the third time in the past five years that a Carnival mixologist has earned the coveted award.

Kljajic earned top honors for his custom-created libation, “Elixir Fizz,” a refreshing mix of Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, Tawny port, vanilla/thyme syrup, Prosecco and Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters liqueur.  In addition to a $4,000 cash award and an etched trophy, Kljajic earned a spot in the finals of the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition in San Francisco.

Kljajic joined Carnival Cruise Line in 2012 after working at a number of well-established restaurants and bars throughout Europe.

Since joining Carnival, Kljajic has worked almost exclusively at the line’s cocktail pharmacy themed Alchemy Bars, where bartenders “prescribe” custom cocktails featuring unique ingredients with creative monikers like Forty is the New Twenty and The Restorative Basil Drop.

Alchemy Bars are on 11 ships and will be among the many bar and dining concepts that will be featured on the new Carnival Vista which is set to debut in Europe May 1.