`Campari has officially opened submissions for Campari Red Hands APAC 2026, the regional bartending competition that brings together cocktail professionals from across Asia-Pacific in a year-long programme focused on creativity, education, and industry development.
Returning for its latest edition, the competition will see bartenders from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam compete for the title of Campari Red Hands APAC Champion 2026, with the regional finals scheduled to take place in Milan in January 2027.
This year’s competition is built around the theme “Contrast & Synchrony,” challenging participants to develop original cocktails inspired by either the tension between opposing elements or the harmony created when different components work together. The concept draws inspiration from the enduring appeal of the Negroni, a cocktail known for balancing bitterness, sweetness, and botanical complexity.
A Competition Rooted in the Negroni Legacy
Beyond the title itself, the competition offers an opportunity rarely seen in the bartending world.
The winning bartender will receive a €3,000 cash prize and earn a place at the Regional Grand Final in Milan. More significantly, their cocktail will be added to Campari’s Negroni Family Tree in 2027, joining celebrated variations such as the Americano, Boulevardier, and Negroni Sbagliato.
For participants, the recognition extends beyond a single competition cycle, offering the possibility of contributing a new chapter to one of the cocktail world’s most influential families of drinks.
More Than a Bartending Competition
While Red Hands is structured as a regional competition, Campari positions the programme as a broader educational platform through Campari Academy, the company’s global training and advocacy initiative for hospitality professionals.
Participants progress through four stages, beginning with a video submission and written cocktail concept before advancing to menu showcases, local market finals, and ultimately the regional final in Italy. Throughout the process, bartenders receive mentorship and feedback from Campari Academy educators, brand ambassadors, and industry professionals.
The format reflects a growing trend among global spirits brands to combine competitions with long-term professional development opportunities, providing participants with exposure to industry networks and educational resources beyond the contest itself.
Strengthening Asia-Pacific’s Bartending Community
Campari expects more than 1,150 bartenders to participate across the region, making the 2026 edition the largest since the competition’s revival in 2024.
The programme has evolved significantly since it was first launched in 2018 as the Campari Bartender Competition Asia. After a hiatus, it returned as Campari Red Hands Asia in 2024, expanding its focus on community-building and creative exchange among bartenders throughout the region.
Bartenders who reach the local finals are also invited to join the broader Campari Red Hands Community, which includes access to educational initiatives, guest shifts, industry events, and networking opportunities that continue beyond the competition.
Industry Leaders Return as Mentors and Judges
Among the returning industry figures supporting the programme is Supawit “Palm” Muttarattana, founder of Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, ranked No. 5 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list.
A former Campari competition winner himself, Palm will serve as a guest judge at selected local finals across the region. His journey from competitor to internationally recognised bar owner reflects the type of professional growth the programme aims to encourage among emerging bartending talent.
As cocktail culture continues to mature across Asia-Pacific, competitions such as Red Hands have increasingly become platforms not only for showcasing technical skill, but also for fostering creativity, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration within the hospitality industry.
Submissions for Campari Red Hands APAC 2026 are now open through Campari Academy, with local qualification rounds taking place throughout the year ahead of the regional final in Milan in January 2027.
