Havana Club Cocktail Maestros Competition

Setting the bar high, the international contest will take the world's most impressive bartending teams on a unique journey through national qualifications and regional challenges, followed by an extraordinary trip to Havana for immersion into Cuba's vibrant energy and the brand's cultural legacy.

Since the early 20th century, when Cuban bartenders began creating iconic cocktails such as the Daiquiri, Mojito and El Presidente, Havana Club has been a bartenders' preferred rum with the modern-day portfolio encompassing light rum, golden rum, full-bodied aged rums and even spiced and smoky variants.

This inspiring and engaging competition is now open to entries from teams of two bartenders from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Building on 2024's inaugural competition, entrants can now partner with bartenders from a different venue within the same country, fostering trusted friendships and long-term connections across the industry.

For further info and to enter see: havana-club.com

Program

The top 10 teams from each country will progress to the National Finals where they'll be challenged to create a Cuban, afro-Latin inspired cocktail for a local jury. The duo that impresses the jury most with their creativity, flavour, and team spirit, will secure their place at both the Regional Challenges and the Global Finals in Havana.

For the Regional Stage, teams will come together for a series of training sessions where they'll learn to work together in stimulating environments and accumulate points before jetting off to Havana for the final stages of the contest in April 2026.

Not only will contestants be flown to Cuba to take part in the finals; for four days they'll immerse themselves in the passion of the city and its vibrant bar scene. Competitors will enjoy authentic Cuban experiences, and the chance to discover the craftmanship and culture captured in every bottle of Havana Club.

At the Global Final, teams will partake in the Great Havana Hustle, testing their skills over the course of a bar shift, showcasing their expertise, hospitality, and teamwork abilities. The winners will be decided by a panel of esteemed judges and industry icons, once again including Sandrae Lawrence and Simone Caporale.

For competition details and dates within each territory and the chance to be crowned "Havana Club Cocktail Maestros", enter at havana-club.com.

Prizes

• 20+ teams of finalists will be invited to a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Havana to compete in the global final to he held in April 2026 in Havana, Cuba
• The showstopping four-day trip will include an unforgettable immersion into authentic Cuban culture.
• €10,000 prize for winning team
• The winners will also take home a coveted, extremely rare bottle from Havana Club's Icónica Collection

Final in Cuba

Successful teams will advance to national and regional finals with 20+ teams of finalists invited to the global final in Havana, Cuba during April 2026 where they will be fully immersed in the vibrant heart of the city, exploring the local bartending scene, and embracing island life.

The final challenges will include The Great Havana Hustle where teams will host a bar shift to highlight real-life hospitality mastery and celebrate the collective energy.

It's safe to say the rum category, and Havana Club, would not be where it is today without the support and creative energy of the bartending community. This competition is a chance for us to give back and provide a platform to the incredibly talented bartenders around the world. Much more than a cocktail contest, Havana Club Cocktail Maestros brings the community together through shared cultural experiences, in-depth brand education and training."

Maxime Chevalier, Senior Brand Advocacy Manager Havana Club