Bartender Rebecca Ardman on Turning a Beach Memory into Winning the 2026 Bols Cocktail Battle

Some cocktails are built around technique. Others are inspired by flavor. Rebecca Ardman’s winning cocktail, SPF-U, began with a memory.

Named the 2026 U.S. East Coast Winner of the Bols Cocktail Battle, Ardman impressed judges with a cocktail that blended technical precision with thoughtful storytelling. Inspired by the feeling of a quiet beach at sunset, her drink earned her a trip to Amsterdam, where she’ll represent the East Coast at the prestigious Bols Cocktail Fever experience alongside bartenders from around the world.

We caught up with Ardman to talk about the inspiration behind her winning cocktail, the challenges she faced during the competition, and the advice she’d give bartenders considering their first cocktail competition.

What inspired your winning cocktail, and what story were you hoping to tell through it?

Thank you very much! The inspiration came from one of those philosophical conversations that only seem to happen a few drinks in—when someone asks what your death row meal would be or what your perfect last day would look like. Before my two dogs graced my life with their presence, my answer was always the same: sitting on a beach after everyone else had gone home, having a cigarette or cigar, a cold tequila, and nobody needing to get in touch with me.

What stayed with me most wasn’t the tequila. It was the sensory memories, like the smell of tanning oil and salt in the air, warm sand beneath your feet, and that lingering warmth that makes you wish the day would slow down for just a little longer. SPF-U was my attempt to capture that feeling.

Every competition has its challenges. What was the biggest obstacle you faced during the process, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest obstacle was me. I started with a completely different concept. I spent an unreasonable amount of time hunting down ingredients I couldn’t find and then had to make major changes less than 48 hours before the deadline, especially after reviewing the judging parameters.

Looking back, the time crunch was probably a gift. Up until that point, I had so many ideas floating around that I was basically hosting a committee meeting in my own head. Once I had to pivot, the noise disappeared, and I finally committed to a direction.

What does winning the Bols Cocktail Challenge mean for you at this stage of your career, and how do you hope it influences what’s next?

Winning means a significant amount because of how unlikely this path was for me. My first job in this industry was with the group I’m still currently employed by. I applied as a bartender with zero restaurant experience and was quickly humbled during the interview process. I started on the host stand, asked for the chance to bar back, then begged six months later to become a bartender.

Even though there was skepticism about promoting me—and rightfully so—I got lucky. Before promoting me, my beverage director ended a long conversation by joking, “I’m excited to see what happens, but promise me you won’t be the reason we lose our liquor license.”

A few years later, I’m headed to Amsterdam to represent the East Coast in a global competition. I’m fairly positive this isn’t something either of us would’ve predicted during that conversation, but I’m forever grateful that he took a chance on me.

How did working with the Bols portfolio inspire your creativity, and did you discover a spirit or liqueur that surprised you?

I was excited to work with the Bols portfolio because I gave myself a creative challenge from the start. Blue cocktails tend to carry a lot of preconceived notions, and I was curious to see if I could create something that felt layered, balanced, and a little unexpected.

What I enjoyed most about the process was that it rewarded curiosity. Every time I thought I knew where the drink was going, a new ingredient would send me in a different direction. Bols Banana Liqueur was probably the biggest surprise—it completely changed my approach and ultimately helped shape the final cocktail.

If you could give one piece of advice to a bartender thinking about entering their first cocktail competition, what would it be?

My advice has two main elements: don’t be your own worst enemy and stop waiting until you feel ready. We’re all so busy trying to be impressive that we forget to be interesting. People remember emotion, not perfection. What stays with us isn’t always the most polished—it’s what leaves an impression. Don’t be scared to submit an idea just because you feel too “green.”

If you’re looking for inspiration, start with a memory. Recreating nostalgia through flavor is incredibly difficult, but when you can take a feeling that only exists in your head and make someone else experience a piece of it, that’s pretty special.

The post Bartender Rebecca Ardman on Turning a Beach Memory into Winning the 2026 Bols Cocktail Battle appeared first on Chilled Magazine.