See all recipes entered in the 2026 competition
The Beesou Hive Challenge encourages low alcohol innovation, seasonal expression, and a commitment to sustainability.
For the 2026 competition, bartenders were challenged to reinterpret one of three classic cocktails – Spritz, Margarita, and Negroni – balancing creativity with respect for the original cocktail's structure and identity.
Summer in my Garden
Let yourself indulge in the bitter truth of life, and take a moment to feel the warmth of a summer evening in your garden. Surrounded by notes of grapefruit,
Orchard Desire
Beesou leads with silky, bittersweet depth, followed by a Jazz apple infused dry vermouth that adds brightness and refinement. Rhubarb introduces a sharp,
Azure Apiary
A soft floral honey aroma on the nose, followed by juicy blueberry upfront. Mid-palate brings gentle herbal complexity, finishing with a light citrus bitterness
The First Bloom Spritz
The First Bloom Spritz is about that moment when late spring arrives and everything comes alive.. Beesou sits at the heart of this drink, a product I genuinely
The Ferryman
A low-ABV Northern Negroni inspired by mythology, waterways, and the quiet passage between worlds. Built around the floral depth of BEESOU and the coastal
Apian reviver no:4
As a summer sprits style cocktail I've played to our strengths here at the hotel. I've tried to create a balance between the deep sweetness of
Beehive Yourself!
This cocktail is a unique riff on a Negroni. A classic Negroni relies on a perfect balance of equal measures: spirit, bitter and sweet. This drink follows
Bee-autiful Margarita
Beesou Honey aperitif has its own character, the delicate touch of camomile and the personality of the tequila has, will provide a smooth, elegant and
Mellifera
A funky, complex and umami blend of health focused ingredients. Common brands for the blueberry Kombucha (to ease replication) include Hip Hop, Loving
Between Orchards
A modern low-ABV aperitif inspired by the shared orchard and beekeeping traditions of Britain, Hungary and Romania . Between Orchards balances tart gooseberry,
Mellona’s Smoke
Mellona’s Smoke is my entry for this year’s Beesou competition, inspired by Mellona, the goddess of bees, beekeeping, and honey. This low-ABV twist
The Breakfast Spritz
A bright and refreshing reminder to eat your breakfast… the bartenders way. Balancing the tartness and sweetness both derived from the main spirit Beesou
![[Hybrid Theory] image](https://cdn.diffordsguide.com/cocktail/rbb3or/mix/0/256x.webp)
[Hybrid Theory]
Hybrid Theory is a low-abv take on the Negroni cocktail. I keep the same core components; Spirit, Bitter, Vermouth, but shift the ratios so that the 'bitter'
The Hive Mind
I called this drink the hive mind as I thought it suited how much all of the different ingredients come together and create something as a whole better
Bee Careful
The recipe uses Beesou as its primary ingredient, with only small amounts of suze and Muyu Chinotto to add other bitter styles alongside Beesou, as well
Dream Bee
A low ABV white negroni riff with big floral overtones and a lingering oolong-like finish. This recipe uses Edinburgh Elderflower Liqueur because it's
