As SLTN has always been – and always will be – dedicated to this amazing trade, we decided that this year’s cocktail competition would celebrate all that’s good about working in the industry. So, along with competition sponsor FUNKIN, we asked entrants to create a cocktail inspired by their favourite hospitality memory.
From these entries, we have selected six bartenders to face off at the SLTN Serves final on the 11th of May at Malo, Glasgow.
Vicky is executive director of Equal Measures UK – the non-profit spearheading the delivery of intersectional equity in the drinks and hospitality industries.
Vicky’s dedication to the sector resulted in her being named as a Change Advocate in CODE Hospitality’s Women of the Year List 2024.
Vicky is executive director of Equal Measures UK – the non-profit spearheading the delivery of intersectional equity in the drinks and hospitality industries.
Vicky’s dedication to the sector resulted in her being named as a Change Advocate in CODE Hospitality’s Women of the Year List 2024.
Our six finalists will prepare and present two cocktails: their original entry drink and a second cocktail which must include at least one of the listed products from the FUNKIN range.
The second cocktail should be suitable for preparation in large volumes, as the winner will have this drink served at the 2026 SLTN Awards. The second cocktail should also be prepared without any homemade ingredients. Other than these practical stipulations, finalists have full creative freedom to craft their own unique cocktail concept.
Entrants will be scored on:
• The concept behind their drinks and their ability to communicate this
• The flavour of the drinks; the balance of the ingredients and how well they work together
• Their ability to prepare and present the drinks with skill and professionalism
Now, let us introduce you to the 2026 SLTN Serves finalists!
“Drawing inspiration from one of my earliest memories of hospitality, before I was behind the stick, this drink is based off a cocktail my family and I would have on holiday in Florida, called the Lava Smoothie.”
“When looking back over my years in hospitality, in a collection of great memories there’s one in particular that has served as the starting point for where I am in my career today: my first ever credible achievement.”
“My main aim here is to take stock of everything that my career in hospitality has taught me, the wonderful people I’ve crossed paths with in my time in the industry and create a serve that pays homage to all of that.”
“Through the weeds goes out to two people I hold close to my heart and have been through the weeds with me in my career and in my personal life.”
“Built for my mate Iain ‘Wooshie’. We lost him, but he’s still behind every shift. We worked together when I was learning the trade. He was chaos in the best way: loud, happy, and always up for it.”
“Inspired by a summer evening in Toronto, this cocktail is my tribute to a memorable experience delivered by a Czech bartender known as V. His suggestion of the Bobby Burns was something new yet familiar.”
• Two tickets to the 2026 SLTN Awards (worth over £500)
• The winning cocktail being served at the 2026 SLTN Awards
• An interview in SLTN, to be published in print and online
• A fast-track pass into the top six shortlist for either the SLTN Awards Mixologist of the Year or Bartender of the Year category
Fancy coming along to cheer on our finalists and see who takes home the prize? Send us the hashtag #SLTNServes via direct message on Instagram and we’ll save you a seat.
Vicky is executive director of Equal Measures UK – the non-profit spearheading the delivery of intersectional equity in the drinks and hospitality industries.
Vicky’s dedication to the sector resulted in her being named as a Change Advocate in CODE Hospitality’s Women of the Year List 2024.
Vicky is executive director of Equal Measures UK – the non-profit spearheading the delivery of intersectional equity in the drinks and hospitality industries.
Vicky’s dedication to the sector resulted in her being named as a Change Advocate in CODE Hospitality’s Women of the Year List 2024.
SLTN Serves is an event organised by Peebles Media Group, publisher of Scottish Licensed Trade News (SLTN), Scotland’s leading hospitality trade magazine. © 2026 Peebles Media Group Limited. All rights reserved.
