Sixes star runs riot at Classic Cocktail Competition

Luke Leiper, head of drinks at social cricket bar brand Sixes, has been named the 2025 Bartender of the Year, after a stunning performance at this year’s Classic Cocktail Competition.

Leiper (pictured), who scored the highest amount of points across six rounds of classic cocktail making, was up against 13 other pub, bar and restaurant brands at the final of the annual event.

Six awards were up for grabs, each one linked to a specific classic cocktail that the finalists had to create in front of a panel of industry judges. After Leiper won the Fortunella Sour of the Year award, he went on to claim the day’s top accolade.

“I’ve not done many competitions,” he says. “I have a lot of industry experience, but not in competitions. I knew my drinks were well made and that they would be consistent, because that is what we do at Sixes. I just did my best and thankfully did well enough to win. I’m really happy about that, as I put a lot of effort into these drinks."

 
Jacques Quinn of The Alchemist

In it to Quinn it

Another star of the 2025 Classic Cocktail Competition, headline sponsored by JBE Imports, was Jacques Quinn of bar brand The Alchemist.

Quinn was the first winner to be announced on the night, claiming the Spiced Mojito of the Year award. Incredibly, he was then called back to the ceremony stage two more times to receive the Tom Collins of the Year and the Old Fashioned of the Year titles.

Quinn's Tom Collins and Old Fashioned

The Pornstar Martini of the Year was made by 19-year-old Noah Macer from Mason’s Arms, part of the Country Creatures portfolio. The Classic Cocktail Competition was Macer’s first ever professional contest.

Paloma of the Year was awarded to Tino Buscail of London bar business Drake & Morgan. Before the Bartender of the Year was revealed, Jonathan Hayton from The Inn Collection Group was awarded overall third place, with The Alchemist’s Quinn taking the runner-up spot.

Winning creations: Pornstar Martini and Paloma

Returning for its third year, the Classic Cocktail Competition challenges bartenders to make six different classic cocktails each, all served in their own signature style during strictly timed heats.  

To register your interest in competing at the 2026 event, please visit the Classic Cocktail Competition website.

The 2025 Classic Cocktail Competition finalists

• Arc Inspirations
• Brother Marcus / Kamara 
• Butcombe Group
• Country Creatures / Mason’s Arms
• Desire Cocktail Bar
• Drake & Morgan
• Flight Club
• Lime Wood Hotel
• Sixes
• The Alchemist 
• The Cocktail Club
• The Inn Collection Group
• The Pig Hotel
• Urban Pubs & Bars / The Gun

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