METAXA Twelve Competition 2026: The Search for the Golden Ratio

The METAXA Twelve Competition returns in 2026, inviting bartenders from Greece and Cyprus to explore the idea of balance through this year's challenge, Sweet & Sour.

At its centre is METAXA 12 Stars and the search for the Golden Ratio: the balance between the Greek heritage and character of METAXA and the cultural perspective and provenance of each bartender.

Entries remain open until 16 October 2026, while the winner of the Greek final will go through to the Global Final, on 3 November at Athens Bar Show 2026.

This Year's Challenge: Sweet & Sour

Balance sits at the core of this year's challenge.

Bartenders are invited to create their own take on a Sweet & Sour cocktail, with METAXA 12 Stars as the hero, and to search for their own Golden Ratio.

METAXA 12 Stars combines wine distillates, Muscat of Samos and Mediterranean botanicals. Its taste and aroma profile carries notes such as orange peel, dried apricot, honey, flowers, toasted oak and spices. The natural sweetness of the Muscat and the aromatic complexity of METAXA 12 Stars create a base that lends itself to different approaches to Sweet & Sour.

The goal, however, is not only balance on the palate. Each bartender is invited to reinterpret Sweet & Sour through their own cultural perspective, drawing on their place, their provenance, local gastronomy or the cultural references that shape their identity.

Hero, Identity, Ratio

The creation and the storytelling of the cocktail are built on three pillars:

• The Hero - METAXA 12 Stars: How does the recipe bring out the character of METAXA 12 Stars, and why is it an inseparable part of the creation?
• The Identity - Your Provenance: Which element of your own cultural identity do you bring into the cocktail? It may come from your place or origin, from a local ingredient, a culinary tradition or a technique with a specific cultural reference.
• The Ratio - The Balance: How is the right balance between Sweet & Sour achieved, and what is the thinking behind the flavour structure of your recipe?

What You Need to Create

For your entry you will need to create a Sweet & Sour cocktail with METAXA 12 Stars as the hero.

The recipe must:

• contain at least 30 ml METAXA 12 Stars
• contain no more than 8 ingredients
• have a total liquid volume of at least 80 ml
• follow the Sweet & Sour concept
• remain unchanged from submission through to the Global Final

Each bartender may submit one entry and one cocktail.

What to Bring With You

The competition venue will have basic infrastructure and equipment for preparing the cocktails. However, each participant is responsible for bringing everything specifically required for their own creation.

Make sure you bring:

• the bartending tools you need
• your glassware or serving vessels
• all the ingredients in your recipe, including local or homemade ingredients
• any specialist ingredient or equipment required to execute the cocktail

METAXA 12 Stars bottles will be provided by the organisers.

How Entries Are Judged

Judging is based on four criteria:

30% Storytelling | 30% Recipe | 20% Visual Presentation | 20% Skill

Timeline

16 October 2026
Entry submission deadline

22 October 2026
Greek Final

3 November 2026
Global Final at Athens Bar Show 2026

From the Greek Final to the Global Final

Bartenders from Greece and Cyprus can take part in the Greek competition.

The winner of the Greek Final will secure:

• a place in the Global Final of the METAXA Twelve Competition 2026, on 3 November at Athens Bar Show
• a place at LIKNON by METAXA on Samos

At the Global Final, the winners of the national competitions will meet in Athens to compete for the global title.

The overall winner will receive:

• a €2,000 voucher to promote themselves, their METAXA cocktail and the bar where they work
• a guest shift at one of Athens' leading bars
• the METAXA Twelve Competition 2026 winner trophy
• the opportunity to become the face of the next edition

How to Enter

Entries are submitted exclusively online, through the official platform of the METAXA Twelve Competition 2026. Each bartender may submit one entry only.

Create your Sweet & Sour cocktail, complete the online form with your details and your recipe, and submit your entry by 16 October 2026.

Entry deadline: 16 October 2026

Enter the METAXA Twelve Competition 2026