A cocktail combining rum, olive oil vermouth, goat’s cheese and citrus honey has been crowned the best cocktail of 2026 in Benidorm. The competition also rewarded a non-alcoholic creation from the La Terrasse establishment.
Organised by the local association of bars, restaurants and cafes in Benidorm, the contest brought together a prominent part of the local hospitality sector. The Benidorm business association Abreca distinguished the winning proposal, named ‘Puig d’Amaltea’. The recipe also incorporates Macona almonds, rosemary and a saline touch, presenting the drink as an elegant and very Mediterranean creation that recalls landscapes between the mountain and the sea.
According to the organisation, the ingredients were selected to reinforce flavours linked to the surroundings of Benidorm and its coast. The use of olive oil in the vermouth and citrus honey connects the cocktail with typical products in the gastronomy of Alicante, while almond and rosemary add nuances, completing the nod to the territory.
The author of the winning cocktail was bartender Gonzalo Nicolás Marsicano, who works at the Camarote Club venue. His proposal convinced the professional jury, which valued both the taste and the presentation and overall coherence. The combination of sweet, citrus and saline notes added points in the final evaluation.
Alongside the main prize, the contest included a specific category for non-alcoholic preparations. In this section, the special public mention went to ‘Free Port and Sky’, from the La Terrasse establishment. This non-alcoholic cocktail stands out for a mysterious appearance with careful presentation, offering floral and citrus notes on the palate. Its creator, Javier Casabona, made it using syrup, elderflower, food-grade activated charcoal and tonic water.
The combination of these ingredients achieves an intense colour and a striking texture, organisers noted, with elderflower providing delicate aromas and activated charcoal influencing the visual tone of the glass. The awards ceremony was held this Thursday at the El Torrejó municipal centre in Benidorm, attended by hospitality representatives, contest participants and municipal authorities.
The Mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, highlighted the very high level of the proposals presented and defined the contest as a platform and window of opportunity to give visibility to cocktail professionals in the tourist capital of the Valencian Community. Organisers underscored that such initiatives help differentiate the gastronomic offer of Benidorm beyond sun and beach, reinforcing its image as a destination where tourists can find varied experiences in bars and terraces.
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