Get Ready for the 5th Anniversary of the Cointreau Margarita Challenge!
Cointreau is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the Margarita Challenge, celebrating its 5th anniversary! Prepare yourself for another year of exhilarating competition as we pay homage to the iconic Margarita and the unrivaled excellence of Cointreau.
Since its beginning, the Cointreau Margarita Challenge has become a global sensation, attracting passionate bartenders from around the world. This competition, designed exclusively for bartenders by bartenders, goes beyond just crafting delicious cocktails; it's about pushing creative limits, showcasing incredible talent, and cultivating a strong sense of community among bartenders who share a love for innovation and the art of mixology.
Last year, the 'Flavor of Your City' theme sparked a wave of creativity with almost 80 countries participating! Countless inspired bartenders answered the call, capturing the essence of their hometowns in a margarita glass, resulting in nearly 2,000 unique recipes.
This year, we're elevating the Cointreau Margarita Challenge to new heights with a theme focused on meaning and impact!
From Fruit To Leaf Margarita
'From Fruit to Leaf Margarita'
This year’s competition embraces sustainability with a theme inspired by the natural world. At Cointreau, our commitment to cocktails extends beyond the glass. We believe in crafting Margaritas that honor both the planet and the palate. From the fruit peel to the herb stems, every part of the ingredient has value. We pledge to use every element of the selected fruit, minimizing waste and maximizing flavor. Cointreau is challenging participants to showcase the full bounty of nature in their Margarita creations, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices by crafting innovative Margaritas – using every part of a fruit—from flesh to peel to leaves – with at least 25 ml of Cointreau L'Unique and salt.
A jury of renowned bartenders and industry experts will have the difficult task of judging these innovative Margarita creations, evaluating them on creativity, flavor, presentation, and their embodiment of the 'Fruit to Leaf' ethos.
This year’s Cointreau’s Margarita Challenge celebrates innovation, sustainability, and creativity. Entries will be judged on how skillfully participants utilize every part of the fruit to craft their Margarita.
All recipes should feature at least 25ml or 0.75oz of Cointreau l’Unique and salt. Beyond this, participating bartenders will have to showcase many elements of a single ingredient and demonstrate sustainability-mindedness.
Behind every great Margarita is an evocative story. Participating bartenders should submit compelling narratives that complement their concoctions, offering insight into the inspiration behind each.
Every cocktail tasting experience starts with the eye. Participating bartenders should craft visually striking drinks and ensure their submitted photographs accurately represent the uniqueness and personality of their creation.
What's so exciting about the 2025 Cointreau Margarita Challenge?
Once selected in the regional finals, the jury will be tasked with choosing the 2025 Cointreau Margarita Challenge Grand Prize Winner among 12 bartenders who will fly to France for a gripping three-day finale. During this exclusive event, participants’ creativity and skills will be tested with three carefully crafted challenges.
The winner will not only leave their mark on the Original Margarita’s legacy, but will also win a five thousand euros voucher to do guest shift anywhere in the world, along with a trip for 2 to France!
The 2025 Cointreau Margarita Challenge is getting bigger! With an increase in talented bartenders, we’ve expanded the global final to 12 seats. This year, 10 regional competitions will decide the first 10 finalists. But that's not all – one exceptional newcomer will snag the coveted Rookie spot, while a Wild Card finalist, handpicked by our esteemed jury, will round out the lucky 12—so get ready to shake up your best margarita creations!
Margarita Challenge 2024 Winner
World Class Global Final Top 8 2024
Hope & Sesame - Global General Manager
An acclaimed bartending expert, to be revealed soon!
An acclaimed bartending expert, to be revealed soon!
An acclaimed bartending expert, to be revealed soon!
The cheers will be even louder this year as we bring back "The Rookie of the Year" category for our 2025 competition! This special award shines a spotlight on up-and-coming bartending stars with less than two years of experience. If you've got a passion for cocktails and a talent for innovation, this is your chance to shake things up and show the world what you've got!
Still asking why to participate? The Cointreau Collective is the answer!
Cointreau Collective is an advocacy and mentorship program tailored for professional bartenders. Grounded in four essential pillars—the quality of the cocktail, a responsible attitude, team spirit, and the joy of mixology—the Cointreau Collective cultivates a close-knit community of skilled bartenders.
Once a member, always a member. Members gain access to invaluable resources and support to develop business opportunities, enhance their careers, and engage in valuable networking that accelerates their professional journeys.
The Cointreau Collective serves as an exclusive online community where bartenders can connect at any time, sharing ideas and insights with one another. Membership provides access to specialized content designed specifically for bartenders.
For any question contact us at margaritachallenge@cointreau.com
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