BATTLE OF THE BARTENDERS

A Word From Our Winners

Every great cocktail starts with an idea.

For this year's Battle of the Bartenders in partnership with Bacardí, our finalists transformed inspiration into innovation, creating cocktails that celebrate heritage, storytelling and flavour in equal measure.

From savoury rum infusions to Caribbean-inspired classics and disco-worthy serves, meet the bartenders behind our winning creations.

Louise Coffey

Alchemist Glasgow

Crunch Time

The Inspiration
Inspired by Bacardí's iconic fruit bat logo and the story of El Coco, the legendary coconut tree outside the original Bacardí distillery, Louise wanted to create a cocktail centred around family, shared food and Cuban heritage.

"When I think of family unity, I think of sharing a meal with loved ones—or even a packet of crisps with friends over a couple of pints. That became the heart of this drink."

What to Expect

Think of it as a charcuterie board in a glass.

Pear, coconut and chilli combine with savoury notes from the rum infusion, creating a cocktail that's bright, unexpected and packed with depth.

What Makes It Special?

Bacardí Carta Blanca is infused with cheese & onion crisps and Thai sweet chilli before being double-filtered, creating an incredibly unique savoury profile that surprises with every sip.

Hannah Bentham

Bar Operations

Buzz Bomb

The Inspiration
A playful tribute to this summer's biggest drinks trends, Buzz Bomb pairs tropical rum flavours with an unmistakable disco energy.

What to Expect

Fun, tropical and unapologetically playful.

Bright citrus, tropical fruit and a silky melon foam are finished with an LED ice cube that transforms the cocktail into its very own disco ball.

What Makes It Special?

The cocktail combines Bacardí Caribbean Spiced Rum with Mouse Kingdom Blue—a sustainable ingredient created using discarded fruit from Manchester bars, bringing vibrant citrus flavours with an environmentally conscious twist.

Simone Philip

Alchemist St. Martins Lane

Mucho Guava

The Inspiration
Inspired by Simone's Caribbean heritage, Mucho Guava reimagines the classic Chartreuse Swizzle with vibrant tropical flavours and modern techniques.

Every ingredient celebrates the warmth, culture and spirit of the Caribbean.

What to Expect

Expect bright citrus, juicy guava and gentle warming spice, balanced into a refreshing cocktail that's approachable yet full of character.

What Makes It Special?

Built using the traditional Caribbean swizzle technique, the cocktail pays homage to generations of island bartending while combining Bacardí Carta Blanca, guava and citrus into a beautifully balanced serve.

Experience the Winning Cocktails

Innovation sits at the heart of everything we do, and this year's winning serves showcase the creativity, passion and craftsmanship of our bartenders across The Alchemist.

Whether you're drawn to the savoury complexity of Crunch Time, the vibrant energy of Buzz Bomb, or the tropical flavours of Mucho Guava, there's never been a better time to discover the cocktails making waves behind the bar.

Visit your nearest Alchemist and experience our Battle of the Bartenders winners for yourself.