2009 Bacardi Mojito Challenge

Get good drinks and help the South Carolina Special Olympics all in one night

As if you didn't already need another good reason to drink, this Tuesday night, you can drink for a good cause.

The South Carolina Aquarium will host the 2009 Bacardi Mojito Challenge, benefitting the South Carolina Special Olympics.

Fourteen of the best mixologists from top Charleston restaurants will go head to head to see who makes the best Bacardi mojito. Winners will be chosen by attendees, who will sample the different recipes and styles. Over 800 attended last year's event. Attendees must be of age.

"The Mojito Challenge is a contest between some of the best mixologists in Charleston putting their personal touches on the Bacardi Rum Mojito," said Ray Carci, vice president of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for the S.C. Special Olympics. "Mojitos are made with mint and sugar cane muddled and you add rum and ice. It's the bartenders own recipes that create the challenge."

In addition to bragging rights, the winner will receive a free weekend in Greenville to participate in the Allstate/BMW Ride and Drive. Participants will have the opportunity to race around a track at the BMW Performance Center in a variety of BMW models. The all day event also includes a curvy, mountain ride.

Last year's winner was John Aquino, head bartender of Coast. It was the second year Coast took home the title and this year they will be sure to be strong competition again for the first-place spot.

"Attendees of this event will have a great time meet and see some interesting people, explore the (S.C.) Aquarium and hopefully feel good about themselves with the satisfaction of helping others less fortunate," Carci said.

"Intellectual disabilities have no racial, social or economic boundaries. One in six South Carolinians knows someone with the diagnosis of mental retardation. A chance is all they ask to become included and for over 40 years, Special Olympics has been the vehicle for this population," he continued. "People should attend because it is an inexpensive evening out and it benefits the over 15,000 children and adults in South Carolina with intellectual disabilities who participate in 178 athletic events each year put on by Special Olympics South Carolina."

The philosophy of the Special Olympics is "founded on the belief that people with learning disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports. These must be adapted only as necessary to meet the needs of those with intellectual and physical limitations. Special Olympics (officials say) that constant training is indispensable to the development of an individual's sports skills."

While that's a lot to remember, attendees of this event will certainly remember a night of great drinks and competition. They may also remember the oath of the Special Olympics: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."