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.
The Energy spritz
A bright, lightly bitter spritz with tropical fruit, warming spice, and a refreshing fizz. The tepache brings tangy pineapple and cinnamon notes, while
The Bee's Cheese
A lower ABV twist on a White Negroni. Inspired by an all time favourite flavour pairing of mine...cheese and honey.
Nectar No.9
Bright and floral on the nose with delicate aromas of chamomile, wild honey, and citrus blossom. The palate opens with soft herbal sweetness from the Drambuie
Forest Dew Negroni
A delicate but flavourful negroni twist, with a sparkling top to add texture on the front of your palatte. Tasting notes of honey, flowers, and oak.
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
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
Hot Honey Spritz
A light, honey forward aperitif, perfect for enhancing an appetite or just sat out in the sun! The Beesou shines through followed up by a hit of sweet
Sting in the Orchard
My entry for the 2026 Hive Challenge is an apple margarita using the specs of a negroni. I used locally sourced apples from the nearby Vale Orchard and
Golden gentian
Golden Gentian A refined Bianco-style cocktail built around the interplay of honeyed softness and structured bitterness. Beesou brings a gentle, floral
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
Antihistamine: No Sting
This is based on a margarita, that is moving in the direction of a penicillin. The pairing of the citrus, honey, aniseed, and ginger is exceptional. This
Two Bees in a Hive
A low-ABV reinterpretation on a negroni with a focus on seasonal ingredients during the summer months. Inspired by the relationship's between bees,
Bee's Dusk
Bee's Dusk is inspired by Sicilian evenings, when the sky turns blood‑orange and the bees return to the hive to rest. Built around the honeyed botanicals
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
Royal Jelly
The drink is a low abv spritz perfect for the summer months with a freshness and florality combined with a sweet, creamy, luxurious body. Its familiar
The Lager Nada
Tall, frosty, fresh, citrusy and hoppy concoction in ode to the Mexican Party drink. Low/No ABV.
