Every Monday throughout the month of October, Philly’s best bartenders descended upon Rum Bar to participate in the DonQ Mojito Olympics. Finalists from the first three weeks were invited back to compete in the finals of this cane-spirit cocktail competition.

On that cool Monday evening, Jackie (PYT), Zeq (Rum Bar) and Poppy (Alma de Cuba) squared off in several rounds of rivalry. The slingers mixed up DonQ rum, Vita Coco coconut water and an assortment of other items to gain points in several categories, such as fastest mojito (they had to make 7 each) and mojitos using surprise ingredients like Fun Dip or Smarties candies.

In the end, Poppy Brewster racked up the highest score, not in small thanks to her creative winning mojito recipe, making use of season-appropriate cranberries and DonQ Cristal. Check out the recipe below, and get muddlin’.

Winter Mojito

2 oz DonQ Cristal Rum
1 Tbsp demerara sugar
½ lime cut into wedges
8 mint leaves
8 cranberries
¼ oz allspice dram
Club soda
Cranberries for garnish

Muddle sugar, mint, lime and cranberries in a mixing glass. Add rum and allspice dram. Add ice. Shake and pour into cocktail glass. Top with splash of club soda and garnish with cranberries.