Australian Bartenders Guild National Classic Mixology Championship

Competition Rules & Regulations

1. Competition Overview

The Australian Bartenders Guild National Classic Mixology Championship celebrates creativity, innovation and excellence in modern bartending while showcasing the future of Low ABV cocktails.

This online national competition provides Australia's bartending community with the opportunity to become the Australian Bartenders Guild National Champion and represent Australia in Macau, China, from 18–24 October 2026, competing in both the Australasian Bartending Championship and the IBA World Bartending Championship.

Participation is open exclusively to registered members of the Australian Bartenders Guild (ABG). Membership is free and can be completed via the Membership Registration page before entering the competition.

The Australian Bartenders Guild is searching for Australia's most complete bartender—someone who demonstrates creativity, technical ability, professionalism and the potential to compete on the international stage.

2. Eligibility

Competitors must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.

  • Reside in Australia.

  • Be a registered member of the Australian Bartenders Guild (membership is free).

  • Complete the official online competition registration.

  • Pay the competition entry fee.

  • Submit all required materials before the published closing date.

  • Be eligible to travel internationally if selected.

  • Be available to travel to Macau from 18–24 October 2026.

  • Hold, or be capable of obtaining, a valid passport.

  • Meet all visa or international travel requirements.

  • Ensure they are able to obtain leave from their employer if selected to represent Australia.

3. Competition Requirements

Competitors are required to create one original Low ABV cocktail.

Each cocktail must include:

  • Minimum 15 mL Solomon Spirits Vodka

  • Minimum 15 mL Noot Limoncello

Both sponsor products must contribute meaningfully to the cocktail's flavour profile and be clearly showcased throughout the competition video.

As the Founding Spirit Partner, Solomon Spirits Vodka should receive prominent visibility throughout the presentation. Noot Limoncello should also be professionally integrated and showcased as the Official Functional Beverage Partner.

Competitors may use additional ingredients provided they comply with Australian liquor legislation.

All recipes submitted must be the competitor's own original work.

4. Cocktail Creativity

Creativity is one of the highest scoring aspects of the competition.

Competitors are encouraged to showcase originality through:

  • Homemade syrups

  • Cordials

  • Infusions

  • Shrubs

  • Tinctures

  • House-made ingredients

  • Sustainable practices

  • Innovative flavour combinations

  • A compelling story behind the cocktail

Judges will reward originality while recognising cocktails that are practical, balanced and suitable for professional hospitality service.

5. Video Submission

Competitors must submit:

  • One edited video.

  • Maximum 60 seconds in length.

  • Portrait or landscape format.

  • Uploaded via Instagram or TikTok.

  • Include the official competition hashtag #ABG2026.

The video should clearly demonstrate:

  • Cocktail preparation.

  • Professional bartending technique.

  • Personality and confidence.

  • The inspiration behind the cocktail.

  • The finished presentation.

Competitors are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate rights to any music used within their submission.

6. Recipe Submission

Recipes must be included in the video description and include:

  • Cocktail name

  • Ingredients

  • Measurements

  • Preparation method

  • Glassware

  • Garnish

7. Brand Presentation

The official competition sponsors are central to this championship.

Competitors should ensure:

  • Solomon Spirits Vodka is clearly visible throughout the video.

  • Noot Limoncello is clearly visible throughout the video.

  • Sponsor products are naturally incorporated into the preparation and presentation.

  • Product labels remain visible where practical.

  • Brand presentation remains clean, professional and authentic.

Judges will assess how effectively competitors integrate and showcase the official competition partners.

8. Judging Criteria

Cocktail

Judges will assess:

  • Creativity

  • Originality

  • Balance

  • Aroma

  • Appearance

  • Presentation

  • Garnish

  • Technique

  • Practicality for service

  • Hygiene

Storytelling

Judges will assess:

  • Inspiration

  • Personality

  • Communication

  • Creativity

  • Connection between the cocktail and its concept

Video Presentation

Judges will assess:

  • Confidence

  • Camera presence

  • Editing

  • Professionalism

  • Brand integration

  • Overall impression

The Australian Bartenders Guild reserves the right to recreate and taste the highest-scoring cocktails using the submitted recipes as part of the final judging process.

The judges' decisions are final.

9. International Representation

The winner of the Australian Bartenders Guild National Classic Mixology Championship will represent Australia in Macau from 18–24 October 2026.

Australia's representative will compete in two prestigious international championships held back-to-back during the week:

  • Australasian Bartending Championship

  • IBA World Bartending Championship

Throughout the week, competitors will also participate in workshops, networking opportunities and international hospitality events alongside bartenders from around the world.

10. International Competition Preparation

The international championships involve multiple competition stages and test far more than the ability to create a single cocktail.

Competitors may be assessed through:

  • Sensory evaluation

  • Blind tasting

  • On-the-spot cocktail creation

  • Adaptability challenges

  • Technical knowledge

  • Presentation and communication

  • Additional competition rounds determined by the event organisers

The Australian Bartenders Guild is therefore looking for a well-rounded bartender capable of performing under international competition standards.

Following the winner announcement, the Australian Bartenders Guild will work directly with Australia's representative to prepare for Macau.

The winning cocktail will form the foundation of Australia's international competition entry and may be refined or modified to comply with official international rules, categories and sponsor requirements.

The winner agrees to:

  • Submit any required revised recipe within five (5) days of being announced National Champion.

  • Meet all international submission deadlines.

  • Participate in coaching, media and sponsor commitments where reasonably requested.

11. Originality

All cocktails, recipes, videos, photographs and supporting materials submitted must be the competitor's own original work.

Entries must not infringe the intellectual property rights of any individual or organisation.

The Australian Bartenders Guild reserves the right to disqualify any submission found to contain copied or plagiarised material.

12. Code of Conduct

Competitors are expected to conduct themselves professionally throughout the competition.

The Australian National Champion represents:

  • Australia

  • The Australian Bartenders Guild

  • Competition sponsors

  • The Australian hospitality industry

Behaviour that is offensive, dishonest, unsafe or likely to bring the Australian Bartenders Guild or its sponsors into disrepute may result in immediate disqualification.

13. Media & Promotional Rights

By entering the competition, competitors grant the Australian Bartenders Guild permission to use submitted videos, photographs, recipes, names, venue information and competition content for promotional, educational, website, social media, public relations and marketing purposes.

Competitors retain ownership of their original recipes while granting the Australian Bartenders Guild a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and promote submitted material in connection with the competition.

14. Winner Requirements

Should the National Champion be unable or unwilling to travel, fail to meet international competition requirements or withdraw from the competition, the Australian Bartenders Guild reserves the right to offer the opportunity to the next highest-ranked eligible competitor.

15. Contact

For any questions regarding the Australian Bartenders Guild National Classic Mixology Championship, please contact the Australian Bartenders Guild via the Contact page on this website.