Rising Stars Competition 2026: Mixology Multiverse

Step into the Mixology Multiverse, where every cocktail carries an origin story.
Create a drink inspired by your superhero. Your hero can be a friend, a family member, a mentor, a colleague, or a legendary figure who shaped your craft.

Bring their qualities to life through flavor, sustainability, and presentation. Celebrate courage, purpose, and responsibility, because true heroes protect not only their world, but ours as well.

Eight finalists will gather in the United Kingdom in late September 2026 for challenges, brand masterclasses, and collaborations with our partners Monkey 47 and Pernod Ricard.

The journey will conclude with a grand finale that crowns the 2026 Rising Star.

Theme and Creative Direction

• Create one original cocktail that tells a super hero story.
• The drink centers on your chosen hero or on a unique universe such as cosmic, elemental, or futuristic. Use modern techniques and consider relevant global trends.
• Treat sustainability as part of your hero mission. Use local and seasonal ingredients when available, reduce waste with smart preparation and garnishes, and avoid single use plastics.
• You may use Monkey 47 or any partner brands from Pernod-Ricard. If you feature a partner brand, tag that brand in your post.

Guidelines

Travel and Documentation 

• Communicate and collaborate with your HR Team for your travel documents. 

• Finalists carry a valid passport suitable for travel to the United Kingdom. 

• A Schengen visa is secured where applicable. 

Timeline 

• Entry deadline is 03 April 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

• Finalists are announced after verification of eligibility and materials. 

• Finalist experiences and the grand finale take place in late September 2026 in the United Kingdom.

Eligibility 

• Entrants are members of Marriott International EMEA. 

• Entrants are at least 18 years old and above the legal drinking age in their country of residence. 

• Finalists are able to travel to the United Kingdom in late September 2026 and hold a valid passport. 

• A Schengen visa is required where applicable.

Social Media and Music 

Use only audio cleared through Songtradr on Marriott channels. If you are unsure, check with your marketing team. All social activity respects local regulations and platform policies.

Sustainability 

• Source ingredients locally and seasonally when available. 

• Design preparation and garnishes that reduce waste. 

• Replace single use plastics with responsible alternatives.

In Venue Promotion 

• List the cocktail as a special in your bar for at least four weeks. 

• Align pricing, menu description, and promotional activity with local regulations and venue brand standards.

Brand and Partner Alignment 

Collaborations include Monkey 47 or any partner brands from Pernod-Ricard. Tag the partner brand associated with your recipe when posting.

Submission Checklist 

• A clear origin story that connects the drink to your chosen hero. 

• Balanced flavor, visual impact, and thoughtful presentation. 

• A sustainable element explained in your method or ingredient choice. 

• A modern technique or a relevant global trend in use. 

• Two training certificates uploaded with the entry. 

• An Instagram post live with #RisingStars2026 and the correct brand tag. In venue promotion running for at least four weeks.