Returning for its fourth year, Matthew Clark Bibendum’s annual creative cocktail-making challenge has once again seen bartenders from across the UK battle it out to be crowned the winner of Bartender Battles.
In partnership with Pernod Ricard UK, bartenders competed not only for the 2026 title, but also for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Åhus, Sweden, the home of Absolut Vodka.
Across three knockout rounds, which took place online via Instagram, bartenders were challenged to create unique cocktails in response to a series of briefs. The competition was eventually whittled down to just three finalists, who came together at the Pernod Ricard UK offices on Thursday 17th September for the in-person final.
Returning to be crowned champion
This year’s winner, Beth Cunningham from Hickory’s Smokehouse in Wakefield, returned to Bartender Battles for a second year after finishing as a runner-up in the 2025 final.
Taking on the challenge once again, Beth earned her place among the final three before going one better and being crowned our Bartender Battles 2026 champion.
A winning entry
The final kicked off with all three contestants challenged to put their own twist on the classic Passionfruit Martini. Served as mini cocktails, the creations were put to an audience vote to decide their favourite.
Then came the showstopper challenge and the finalists’ last chance to wow the judges.
At the heart of Absolut is a unique story: one source, one community. Produced in Åhus, Sweden, Absolut brings together generations of craftsmanship, creativity and connection.
Taking inspiration from this story, each contestant was challenged to create a showstopping Absolut cocktail experience celebrating the idea of community and shared moments.
Beth’s winning serve, Street Party, was built around Absolut Raspberri and inspired by memories of the street parties she experienced growing up:
“My drink was called Street Party, and it was based on the street parties we used to have during summers when I was growing up. All the neighbours would bring their chairs and tables out, there would be games, and someone would bring a CD player and terrible speaker with an extension lead coming out of the kitchen window.
We would all bring a dish or a dessert or a drink to share, and everyone would pass around mismatching plates and glasses. Because it was a small village, we would use each other’s ingredients all the time – raspberries from the garden, eggs from someone’s chickens and blackberries that grew all over the village.
I wanted my drink to capture the spirit of the parties and the community that made them happen.”
Showstopping serves all round
It wasn’t only the winning cocktail that impressed. All three finalists brought their A-game, creating completely different serves and stories in response to the brief.
Alannah’s The Absolut Scumbag was inspired by playing cards and the endless possibilities that can come from one source. In particular, she drew inspiration from Warlords and Scumbags, a card game her parents picked up while backpacking around Australia and which her family still plays whenever they get the chance.
Drawing on the game’s Australian connection, Alannah explored flavours inspired by the country, including BBQ and Vegemite, with Absolut Watermelon at the heart of her serve.
Cairo took the competition in a very different direction with The Woman in Ice. Made with Absolut Pear; his serve was inspired by his Scottish roots and the legend of the Cailleach.
The tale tells of an old woman who came down from the mountains during a violent winter storm, seeking shelter in a remote glen. Despite having little food or space and not knowing who she was, the community rallied around her, sharing their food, milk and blankets and offering whatever warmth they could spare.
By the following morning, the woman had disappeared. But when the townsfolk went to gather their supplies, they discovered their food, milk and wood had mysteriously been replenished. At the top of the glen stood a majestic woman of ice: the Cailleach, goddess of winter.
Cairo’s serve celebrated the idea that even in the coldest storm, the warmth we give to others can come back to protect us, and that communities can help one another through difficult times.
With three brilliantly creative interpretations of the brief, the judges had a tough decision on their hands, but it was Beth’s Street Party that ultimately took the 2026 title.
Congratulations to Beth, and a huge thank you to all bartenders across the country who took part in Bartender Battles 2026.
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Matthew Clark Bibendum website Matthew Clark Bibendum | One partner, every pour | MCB Drinks
