The World Class Global Bartender of the Year competition concluded this week in Edinburgh, bringing together 49 national champions for a series of rigorous challenges aimed at identifying the world’s top bartender. Originally scheduled to take place in Dubai, the event was relocated to Scotland due to a conflict in the Middle East unrelated to the competition.
The contest began on October 19 with competitors gathering in Edinburgh before traveling by train to Inverness, where they faced multiple tests including precise cocktail preparation under extreme conditions, blind taste testing, and a “mystery box” challenge that required mixing drinks using unfamiliar ingredients within five minutes. Among the challenges was a task to craft a martini chilled between -4°C and -5°C, highlighting the technical skill demanded of participants.
The field was narrowed across several days, and by Thursday, the final twelve bartenders assembled at an Italian restaurant in Edinburgh for a decisive round. Among the finalists was Zana Möhlmann, a Dutch-born bartender working at Manhattan bar in Singapore, who impressed judges with intricate cocktails, including one finished with an orange essence spray that created a delicate aromatic cloud.
Previous winners illustrated the intensity and dedication required. Felice Capasso, the 2025 champion representing Norway, spoke of coping mechanisms such as controlled breathing, ice baths, and martial arts to manage competition stress. Erik Lorincz, who won for Britain in 2010, later contributed his expertise to the film industry by coaching actors on authentic bartending for the James Bond movie "Skyfall."
On the final night, the competitors faced a fast-paced challenge in a crowded ballroom, where they had to serve 50 drinks. Canadian contestant Lucas van Es showcased his creativity by using hand-foraged ingredients from British Columbia in his highball cocktails. British contender Matt Arnold, from Birmingham, presented a whisky-based drink infused with a spiced distillate, paying homage to his city’s cultural diversity, and featured a diamond-shaped ice cube topped with gold leaf, symbolizing the local jewellery industry. Arnold ultimately placed in the top three.
Despite the fierce competition, Arnold expressed scepticism about the notion of identifying a single “best” bartender globally, suggesting that the ideal bartender is someone familiar, reliable, and deeply experienced, often known personally by patrons.
The competition, regarded by many as the pinnacle of bartending contests, serves as a showcase for innovation and craftsmanship within the profession. At the conclusion of the event, Zana Möhlmann was named the World Class Global Bartender of the Year. She credited her success to detailed coaching and the support of her girlfriend, highlighting the subtle yet critical adjustments in presentation and energy that contributed to her victory. Her fellow finalists celebrated her win by lifting her into the air, marking a triumphant end to the contest.