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.
Finalists came face-to-face on the 11th of May at Malo, Glasgow, where the 2026 SLTN Serves cocktail competition winners were chosen.
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.
Six finalists were invited to 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.
Criteria for the second cocktail included being suitable for preparation in large volumes without any homemade ingredients, as the winner will have this drink served at the 2026 SLTN Awards. Other than these practical stipulations, finalists had full creative freedom to craft their own unique cocktail concept.
Entrants were 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
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.
Bartenders Luke Robertson and Ewan Robertson have been named winners of this year’s SLTN cocktail competition after a hard-fought final in Glasgow.
Ewan’s entry drink, Apple of My Eye, was named the winner of the first round, with Luke’s Twenty-Twenty Spritz winning the second round. Luke will now serve his winning drink at the 2026 SLTN Awards.
The final was judged by a panel that included last year’s competition winner, Mairi McDowall of Sebb’s in Glasgow, Storm McMurrich and Alec Tidmarsh of FUNKIN and SLTN’s Dave Hunter.
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.
All finalists at the SLTN Serves final did an incredible job on the day, presenting drinks that were not only delicious, but deeply personal. The other competitors on the day were: Branford Edgar of Kelvingrove Café in Glasgow; Ross McCann of The Boar’s Head in Auchtermuchty; and Scott Dunlop of The Spiritualist in Aberdeen.
Thank you to all the talented bartender’s who made it to the final of this year’s cocktail competition.
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.
