MONIN India has officially announced the return of the MONIN Cup 2026, the eighth edition of its globally recognised bartending competition that continues to spotlight creativity, innovation, and emerging talent from the hospitality industry.
Held every two years across more than 80 countries, the competition has become one of the beverage industry’s most respected platforms for discovering and nurturing the next generation of bartenders. The competition provides young professionals with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and the chance to represent their country on an international stage.
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MONIN Cup 2026 Theme: Timeless Twists
The theme for this year’s MONIN Cup is “Timeless Twists,” encouraging participants to revisit classic cocktails and reinterpret them through a contemporary lens.
Competitors are invited to draw inspiration from iconic serves, forgotten flavours, and traditional bartending techniques while incorporating modern ingredients, innovative presentation styles, and current mixology trends. The challenge aims to celebrate the rich heritage of cocktail culture while showcasing the creativity shaping its future.
Who Can Participate in MONIN Cup 2026?
The MONIN Cup 2026 is open to professional bartenders and bartending students aged 27 years and below.
Participants in India can submit their entries online through the official MONIN Cup India website between June 8 and June 25, 2026. As part of the application process, contestants must submit an original cocktail recipe inspired by the Timeless Twists theme, along with a brief biography outlining their experience and creative inspiration.
A panel of MONIN beverage experts will evaluate all submissions and select the most promising entries for the regional rounds.
Regional Rounds and National Finale
Following the submission phase, the MONIN Cup India regional competitions will be held across four cities in July 2026. The top performers from each regional round will advance to the national finale scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on August 5, 2026.
The winner of the MONIN Cup India 2026 will earn the opportunity to represent the country at the global finale in Paris on December 8-9, 2026, competing against bartending talent from around the world.
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Commenting on the competition, Germain Araud, Managing Director, MONIN India, said:
“The MONIN Cup has always been about giving young bartenders a platform to express their creativity and push the boundaries of what’s possible in mixology. For many, it becomes a defining moment in their journey, opening doors to larger opportunities, industry visibility, and international recognition, while allowing them to showcase their unique perspective behind the bar.”
A Global Platform for Bartending Excellence
Since its launch in 2012, the MONIN Cup has evolved into a leading global platform dedicated to creativity, education, and talent development within the bartending community.
More than just a competition, the MONIN Cup reflects MONIN’s long-standing commitment to supporting hospitality professionals and helping young bartenders refine their craft while gaining recognition within the international beverage industry.
MONIN Cup 2026: Important Dates
- Registration and Online Submission: June 8 – June 25, 2026
- Kolkata Regional Round: July 7, 2026
- Delhi Regional Round: July 16, 2026
- Mumbai Regional Round: July 21, 2026
- Hyderabad Regional Round: July 28, 2026
- MONIN Cup India Finale (Bengaluru): August 5, 2026
- MONIN Cup Global Finale (Paris): December 8-9, 2026
MONIN Strengthens Its Presence in India
Founded in 1912 in Bourges, France, MONIN has established itself as a global leader in premium flavour solutions, offering more than 200 flavours across multiple beverage categories and serving customers in over 160 countries.
In India, MONIN has continued to strengthen its presence through investments in innovation, education, and local talent development. Since establishing its Hyderabad-based R&D centre in 2019, the company has expanded its footprint significantly and is set to inaugurate its manufacturing facility in Telangana by the end of 2026.
Initiatives such as the MONIN Cup, MONIN Creativity Coffee Cup, and MONIN Experience Studios in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai further demonstrate the brand’s commitment to supporting the country’s growing hospitality and beverage sectors.
For registrations and competition updates, participants can visit the official MONIN Cup India website.
