Cointreau Margarita Challenge 2026: Shake It Up

The Cointreau Margarita Challenge returns for its 6th edition, inviting bartenders from around the world to present their own interpretation of the Margarita through this year’s theme, “Shake It Up”.

Entries for the 2026 edition are now open and will remain available until May 31, 2026, via the official Cointreau website.

This year's challenge

In this year's event, each participant is invited to create a Margarita based on Cointreau, incorporating one of the 10 mystery ingredients selected through the following online process.

After registration, participants "shake" a digital shaker through the competition platform, revealing the ingredient they must use in their recipe.

The challenge focuses on creativity, adaptability, and the overall approach to cocktail creation, through a modern take on the Margarita.

According to the competition rules, each recipe must include at least 25ml Cointreau, while salt is a mandatory element of the creation, with a free approach to its use.

Competition Timeline

April 1 - May 31, 2026

Bartenders can submit their recipe via the official Cointreau website.

June 2026

After submissions close, the Greek entries advancing to the next stage will be selected. The organising team will visit the bars of the selected bartenders to meet the creators and taste their cocktails.

June 15 - 22, 2026

National Week Listing: 10 bartenders in each country are selected as potential market champions. Their Margaritas are presented at the bars where they work and evaluated by the judging panel.

July 20, 2026 | Athens

The bartender representing Greece will participate in the European Final of the Cointreau Margarita Challenge, which will take place this year for the first time in Athens.

September 2026

Announcement of the global final finalists.

November 2026 | Paris

Finalists from the regional competitions will compete in the Cointreau Margarita Challenge Global Final in France.

What is the Rookie spot

This year’s edition also marks the return of the Rookie category, which gives emerging bartenders with limited professional experience the opportunity to participate in the Global Final.

The Rookie finalist will be selected separately from the main regional finals process and will secure one of the spots in the Grand Finale in Paris.

Evaluation Criteria

Entries are evaluated based on:

• the creative use of the mystery ingredient
• the connection to this year's "Shake It Up" concept
• the storytelling behind the recipe
• the presentation and overall appearance of the cocktail

The Prize

The global winner of the Cointreau Margarita Challenge 2026 will be announced at the final held in France and will win an international guest shift voucher worth €5,000, along with a trip for two to France, while also participating in the event's international network and experiences.

How to participate

Interested bartenders can submit their recipe until May 31, 2026 via the official Cointreau platform.