Cointreau Margarita Challenge 2025

Cointreau announces the launch of their 5th Annual bartender competition, The Margarita Challenge with a new theme - from Fruit to Leaf.

Cointreau is challenging bartenders to showcase the full bounty of nature in their Margarita recipe creations, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices by creating innovative Margaritas – using every part of a fruit-from flesh to peel to leaves – with at least 25ml or ¾oz of Cointreau and a salt element.

To enter, visit Cointreau.com for a chance to compete and win a trip for two to France and a voucher to guest shift anywhere in the world! The competition closes for entries on 27 February 2025.

Since its beginning, the Cointreau Margarita Challenge has attracted passionate bartenders from around the world. This competition, designed exclusively for bartenders by bartenders, goes beyond just delicious cocktails; it's about pushing creative limits, showcasing incredible talent, and cultivating a strong sense of community among bartenders who share a love for innovation and the art of mixology.

Last year, the 'Flavor of Your City' theme sparked a wave of creativity with almost 80 countries participating. Inspired bartenders answered the call, capturing the essence of their hometowns in nearly 2,000 unique recipes.

The Challenge

This year, Cointreau is challenging participants to showcase the full bounty of nature in their Margarita creations, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices by creating innovative Margaritas – using every part of a fruit-from flesh to peel to leaves – with at least 25ml (or ¾oz) of Cointreau and a salt element.

Scoring Criteria

  • Skills – 40%. Entries will be judged by how skilfully participants utilize every part of the fruit within their margarita recipe to celebrate innovation, sustainability and creativity.
  • Ingredients – 30%. All recipes should feature 25ml (or ¾oz) of Cointreau and a salt element. Beyond this, participating bartenders may showcase many elements of a single ingredient to demonstrate sustainability-mindedness.
  • Story Telling – 20%. Participating bartenders should submit evocative narratives that complement their cocktail, offering insight to the inspiration.
  • Presentation – 10%. Tasting experiences start with the eye. Participants should craft visually striking drinks to ensure their submitted photographs accurately represent the uniqueness and personality of their creation.

The Prize

Once selected in the regional finals, the jury will be tasked with choosing the 2025 Cointreau Margarita Challenge Grand Prize Winner from among 12 bartenders who will fly to France for a gripping three-day finale. During this exclusive event, participants' creativity and skills will be tested with three carefully designed challenges.

The winner will not only leave their mark on the Original Margarita's legacy, but they will also win a Euro €5,000 voucher to do a guest shift anywhere in the world, along with a trip for two to France!

2024 Winner & Finalists

Last year's top three placed with the following variations of The Margarita. To discover full recipes and how to shake up, visit Cointreau.com/cocktails.

1st: Jienming Liao from Shanghai, China

ency 41 imageAutumn Colour
• 25ml or 0.75oz and a salt element. Cointreau
• 30ml Pagoda Chinese Yellow Wine Semi Dry
• 25ml or 0.75oz and a salt element. Osmanthus Verjus
• 5ml Sotol La Higuera
• Spray: Sotol
• Rim: Dried Plum Powder



2nd: Patrick Rowson from Dubai, UAE

ency 64 imageChakalakita
• 70ml Chakalaka Mix
• 25 ml Cointreau
• 10ml Acid solution (citric, malic and tartaric)







3rd: Patty Denison from New York, USA

ency 40 imageThe Fold
• 30ml Cointreau
• 35ml Ricotta-washed Tequila
• 25ml or 0.75oz and a salt element. Acid Adjusted Tomato Water
• 7ml Sourdough Syrup
• 1 drop Saline Solution



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