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Giffard West Cup – Sip the Moment
Malaysia's Kimchi Lai, of Three x Co, has been crowned champion of the Giffard West Cup 2026.
The international final was held on 29 and 30 September 2026 at Giffard's new production site in Saint-Léger-des-Bois, near Angers, France. Following national selections across 31 countries, bartenders representing 21 nations travelled to France for the final.
Founded by Maison Giffard in western France in 1997, the Giffard West Cup is an international cocktail competition bringing together bartenders and baristas from around the world.
Sip the Moments
The theme for the 29th edition was "Sip the Moments", with competitors challenged to present two connected cocktails: one inspired by a morning moment, the other by an evening occasion. Each serve capturing a distinct time of day while forming a cohesive narrative.
The two serves had to connect through flavour, story, or aesthetic, with each containing at least 30ml of a Giffard product. Competitors were judged on creativity, technique, storytelling and the overall coherence of their concept.
Judging panel
The judging panel comprised Raha Shahsavar, founder of Crack Coffee Roastery and UAE Roasting Champion; Taln Rojanavanich, founder of Messenger Bar Service and Bar Us; Daniel Pappa of Svanen; and Émilie Giffard, co-managing director of Giffard.
Giffard West Cup 2026 results
Kimchi Lai, representing Three x Co in Malaysia, took first place. Ketut Masdana of Three x Co, Malaysia, finished second, while Liv Rosengren of Kyara, Spain, placed third.
Special awards were also presented to Shelly Chen of Zeit Gelato Bar in Taiwan, Rafal Kiciak of Art Katowice in Poland, Afonso Machado of Red Frog Speakeasy in Portugal, and Mike Dojcsak of Civil Liberties in Canada.
As Giffard West Cup 2026 champion, Lai wins a trip to Antigua, Guatemala, designed as an immersion in the region's coffee and cocktail cultures.
Lai's two winning cocktails were Grain Potential and You'll Be All Rice.
Grain Potential
30 ml Giffard Cassis Imperial Liqueur
60 ml Toasted glutinous rice cordial (homemade)
15 ml Haku Vodka
10 ml Dry Vermouth
120 ml Soda water
You'll Be All Rice
15 ml Giffard Rose Syrup
15 ml Giffard Coconut Syrup
15 ml Cardamom rice milk (homemade)
45 ml Sake
15 ml Vodka
Giffard Premium Pineapple Liqueur
To quote Edith Giffard, from the family company which makes this liqueur, it's a subtle blend of an infusion of fresh pineapples ripened under the Caribbean
Giffard Passion Fruit Liqueur
A fruit crème made from concentrated passion fruit juice by Giffard & Cie, a fourth generation family-owned and run liqueur producer in France's Loire
Giffard Mandarine liqueur
This liqueur by the family firm of Giffard in France's Loire Valley is made from the distillation of tangerine peels.
Giffard Menthe Pastille
Made in Anjou, Loire Valley since 1885, Menthe-Pastille is France's leading brand of white crème de menthe. It continues to be made in the same town by
Giffard Banane du Brésil
Part of Giffard's 'Premium' liqueur range, this banana liqueur is made by the slow maceration of Brazilian banana puree (to optimize contact with alcohol
Giffard Creme de Mure
A traditional crème de mûre made from blackberry extracts and blackberry juice by Giffard & Cie, a fourth generation family-owned and run producer in
Giffard Crème de Peche de Vigne
This crème de pêche is distinguished by the French term 'de Vigne' – literally meaning 'of bush', this refers to its being made from peaches cultivated
Giffard Abricot du Roussillon
Part of Giffard's 'Premium' liqueur range, this apricot liqueur is made by the slow maceration of 'Rouge du Roussillon' apricots in neutral alcohol.
