Calling all sharp shakers and creative minds: the Giffard West Cup is back in 2026 for a 29th edition that promises to be more inspiring than ever. Organized by the Angers-based house Giffard, this cult cocktail competition continues to set the bar world buzzing, while staying true to its founding values: conviviality, sharing, and a passion for flavor.
Launched in 1997 on the west coast of France, the Giffard West Cup has come a long way. From a local competition to an unmissable international event, it now brings together talents from all over the world. Proof of its success: more than 1,000 bartenders signed up for the previous edition, and 20 international finalists are expected again this year.
“Sip the Moments,” or the art of savoring the moment
For 2026, Giffard is proposing a theme as poetic as it is stimulating: “Sip the Moments.” The idea? Invite candidates to imagine two complementary cocktails, each embodying a different moment of the day or night. One drink for daytime, another for nighttime; one alcohol-free, one with alcohol; a chill mood, a festive vibe… It’s up to each bartender to tell their own story.
Because here, it’s not just about lining up the right ingredients. The Giffard West Cup celebrates bartenders as true creators of experiences, capable of accompanying guests from the first coffee… to the last cocktail of the evening.
As for the rules (there have to be a few), each drink must contain at least 30 ml of Giffard products. New this year: the alcohol-free ranges, cocktail bases, and syrups officially join the competition, opening up even more creative possibilities.
A sensory journey as the ultimate prize
And because motivation also comes from rewards, Giffard is going big for the international winner. At stake: an all-inclusive premium trip to South America, in the heart of an authentic coffee terroir. A complete immersion “from bean to glass,” designed to awaken the senses and fuel inspiration.
How to enter
French bartenders have until April 10, 2026 to submit their two recipes (photos included) on the Giffard website. Regional selections will take place in Nantes and Lyon in May, followed by the French final in Paris in June. The national winner will then head to Angers, the historic birthplace of the house, to defend their creations at the grand international final in September.
At nearly 30 years old, the Giffard West Cup proves it hasn’t lost a drop of its freshness. And that it remains, more than ever, a fantastic playground for those who love telling stories… cocktail in hand.
