India’s cocktail culture is evolving rapidly, and the professionals behind the bar are becoming central figures in shaping modern drinking experiences. Recognising this growing movement, ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits subsidiary of Allied Blenders & Distillers Limited, has launched “Bar Maestro”, a nationwide bartending competition aimed at celebrating creativity, skill, and innovation within India’s bar community.
Organised in partnership with Tulleeho, one of India’s leading bar and beverage education platforms, the competition seeks to provide bartenders with a platform to showcase their talent and gain industry-wide recognition.
The multi-city competition officially begins on 15 June 2026 and will take place across Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Goa, Pune, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Designed as an annual initiative, Bar Maestro aims to nurture India’s growing community of cocktail creators while encouraging greater appreciation for bartending as a professional craft.
At the heart of the competition is ABD Maestro’s premium spirits portfolio, which includes RANGEELA Contemporary Indian Vodka, ZOYA Special Batch Gin and WOODBURNS Contemporary Indian Whisky. Participants will use these brands as the foundation for their creations, demonstrating both technical expertise and artistic expression.
The competition has been structured in three progressive rounds. In the opening stage, bartenders are invited to submit an original Highball cocktail inspired by the culture, identity and character of their respective cities. The goal is to encourage contestants to tell local stories through flavour and presentation.
Successful participants will advance to the next round, where they will be challenged to create three unique cocktails featuring unexpected twists. These twists may draw inspiration from regional ingredients, local traditions or distinctive cultural influences that represent their surroundings.
Speaking about the launch, Bikram Basu, Managing Director of ABD Maestro, said that India’s cocktail and bar culture is currently experiencing an important phase of growth and discovery. He noted that bartenders today are approaching a moment similar to the one Indian chefs experienced over a decade ago, where talent, creativity and public recognition begin to converge.
According to Basu, Bar Maestro is intended to support Indian bartending talent on both national and international platforms. He also revealed that competition winners will receive an opportunity to meet ABD Maestro co-founder and Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, adding an exciting incentive for participants.
Vikram Achanta, Founder of Tulleeho, highlighted the importance of recognising bartenders as cultural contributors rather than simply hospitality professionals. He said India’s bar industry possesses remarkable talent that often goes unnoticed and that Bar Maestro aims to change that perception.
The initiative reflects ABD Maestro’s broader commitment to building a community-driven spirits ecosystem that places bartenders at the centre of the conversation. With Tulleeho’s extensive experience in bar education and industry development, the competition is expected to become an influential platform within India’s hospitality and beverage sectors.
Nominations for Bar Maestro 2026 are now open, offering aspiring cocktail creators an opportunity to showcase their skills and gain national recognition.
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