A Bartending Competition Bridging Past andFuture Look to the past for inspiration, revive forgotten flavors, honourtime-tested techniques, and explore the stories behind iconic serves. Then,channel your creativity into reimagining them for today and tomorrow. Whetheryou’re infusing a local tradition with a modern spin, or transforming a classicrecipe, your challenge is to create a drink that captures the soul of thepast—while pushing boundaries, incorporating modern tools and skills.
Innovation can take many forms. It could mean using contemporary ingredients,exploring new methods of presentation, new techniques… The key is to modernizein a way that feels authentic, creative, and exciting.
Respect tradition, but don’t be afraid to rework it. The future belongs to those who dare totwist the familiar into something fresh, forward-thinking, and unforgettable.
Rules and Regulations1. Calendar & Deadlines
• 18th April 2026: Deadline for submitting the names of participants.
• 18th April 2026: Deadline for submitting the recipe to the portal.
2. Competitor selection process
For each competitor to take part in the competition, all the following criteria must be met:
• Competitors should be either professional bartenders or students from bar schools.
• To be eligible for the MONIN CUP final, participants must be 27 years old or younger. In other words, all contestants should have been born in 1997 or later.
• On the day of the competition, all competitors will have to bring their owntools and glasses.
3. Competition Format and Timings
• Top 7 Participants will have 10 minutes in the pre-stage area, 3 minutes to set up their station and 10 minutes to prepare and present their cocktail.
4. Rules & Regulations
• When the recipe is submitted, the organizing committee will tell whichingredients can be made available and which ones must be brought by thecompetitor. Some ingredients may not be available at the competition location, so make sure it is taken into consideration.
• Competitors will need to bring all their own glassware or serving vesselsthat they need, making sure there is enough for the 4 drinks to be prepared.
• Participants are advised to bring their own equipment to prepare their drinkand garnish (Jigger, shaker, etc)
5.Recipe and ingredient requirements
To create the final drink, competitors must include at least 10ml of any MONIN product, such as Le Sirop de MONIN, Le Concentré de MONIN, or Le Fruit deMONIN. Multiple MONIN products are acceptable. Competitors are free to incorporate anyedible ingredients from brands not competing with MONIN (syrups or purees) intotheir recipes. The number and quantity of ingredients used are unrestricted, aslong as they are safe for consumption.
Only one homemade ingredient is permitted per competitor, but it must satisfy the following criteria:
• It can be an infusion, bitter, juice etc...
• Homemade syrups, cordials, or similar products must be based on MONIN products.- If using a homemade syrup, cordial, or comparable product, an unadulterated MONIN product must also be included in the recipe.
• All homemade components must be thoroughly explained, including the recipe and submitted on the registration form before the application deadline.
Garnishes can be edible or not, if they are consistent with the drink or the theme of the competition.
6. Judging Criteria
Judging will consider:
• The candidate's presentation: Personal presentation and ability to communicate inEnglish.
• Cleanliness: Having an organised, clean, and efficient way of working,maintaining a clean work area, avoiding spillages.
• Technical skills: The competitor's skill and proper use of bartending techniques.
• Drink evaluation: The appearance and presentation, the aroma, taste, balance, originality, and how it links to the theme of the competition.
• Penalties shall apply for exceeding the time limit.
7. Awards and rewards
• All the submitted recipes by the participants will be rewarded by the Monin Cup 2026 participation certifications.
• Certification for top 7 recipes of Monin Cup Maldives.
• Winner of Monin Cup Maldives will represent Maldives in the Regional Cup.