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.
1.618
Roku Gin as the base that perfectly combines 6 botanicals in a perfectly shaped hexagonal bottle The sweet component is Barsol Perfecto Amor, a Peruvian
The Sunken Garden
A fun twist on a classic negroni. The idea came from the sense of the seasons merging into one. But at the moment it feels like we're in a real divide
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
Cyder Country
‘Cyder Country' A love letter to the symbiotic relationship between fine cyder and bees This drink is easily replicable, sippable, but also considerably
Lady Bee
“Built around BEESOU Honey Aperitif, Lady Bee is a floral low-ABV take on the classic Negroni. London dry gin brings a crisp botanical backbone, while
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
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
Summer Stinger
A light sweet spritz best had in the sun paired with a tart lemon Welsh cake. Using orange marmalade as a pairing for the honey and a prosecco syrup as
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 blooded Honey
The reason why I believe this cocktail can make it to first place is because of how I’ve accompanied the bitter sweet aperitif of Beesou using a lightly
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
The circle of spice
A short drink riffing on a negroni spagliato, short and sweet the honey flavours cutting through the bitterness while adding to all the other tasting notes
Kiss By Honey Spritz
Sweet-Fruity-Refreshing
Beekeepers breakfast marg
A lower alcohol Tommy's margarita twist
Sting Theory
Sting Theory is a low-ABV aperitivo built around the honeyed bitterness of Beesou, balanced with Suze and Martini Ambrato and lengthened with soda for
One Before Dinner
Bitter citrus, soft fruit, walnut, leek, jasmine and a silky honeyed finish. Served with focaccia on the side. A drink for that first “go on then, one
