Bartenders: Here’s Why You Should Enter the Bols Cocktail Battle

A national stage, a bold “Neon Nights” theme, and a real opportunity to be seen. This is what today’s cocktail competitions are all about. And the Bols Cocktail Battle is leaning directly into that shift.

More than just a contest, the program is designed as a platform for bartenders to showcase their creativity, connect with the wider industry, and push their work beyond the bar.

“Bols Cocktail Battle is about giving bartenders a platform to express their creativity on a national—and ultimately global—stage,” says Ignacio Llaneza, Vice President of Marketing for the U.S. and Canada at Lucas Bols.

The structure is built to support that visibility. The competition kicks off with Discovery Events across the U.S., where bartenders can explore the full Lucas Bols portfolio—more than 30 liqueurs spanning fruit, spice, and botanical flavors—before submitting their original cocktails through Difford’s Guide. From there, entries move through regional selections—East and West—ultimately leading to two U.S. winners and one Canadian winner advancing to represent North America globally.

This year’s theme, “Neon Nights,” reflects where cocktail culture is heading.

“Today, drinks don’t just need to taste great—they need to be shared,” Llaneza explains.

“We’re seeing a clear shift toward cocktails that are visually striking, memorable, and built for social occasions.”

The brief challenges bartenders to create an original cocktail that pushes boundaries across flavor, color, and presentation—using at least one Bols liqueur and drawing inspiration from a specific decade, from the 1960s through the 2010s.

But the opportunity goes far beyond a single drink. Finalists and winners gain exposure across industry platforms including Chilled Magazine, Difford’s Guide, and Bols’ global channels—putting their work in front of a much larger audience.

And for those who make it to the top, the reward is immersive: an expenses-paid trip to Amsterdam, where winners connect with bartenders from around the world and experience the House of Bols and Bols Cocktail Academy firsthand.
When it comes to judging, the criteria is refreshingly simple.

“Clarity,” Llaneza says. “When a cocktail has a clear idea behind it—and every element supports that idea—it stands out right away.”

Importantly, this isn’t just for seasoned competitors.

“Just go for it,” he adds. “There’s a lot of upside—visibility, experience, and the chance to challenge yourself.”

In a moment where bartenders are looking for new ways to stand out, the Bols Cocktail Battle offers something real: a platform, a challenge, and a chance to be seen on a global stage.

Enter the Bols Cocktail Battle now and show how you bring flavor, color, and creativity to life.

Deadline for entries: May 31, 2026

The post Bartenders: Here’s Why You Should Enter the Bols Cocktail Battle appeared first on Chilled Magazine.