ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits subsidiary of Allied Blenders & Distillers Limited (ABD), has launched “Bar Maestro”, a multi-city bartending and skill competition aimed at celebrating India’s growing cocktail culture and providing a national platform for bartending talent. Launched in association with Tulleeho, a leading bar and beverage education platform, the competition will roll out from June 15 across Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Goa, Pune, Bangalore and Kolkata. The initiative seeks to promote bartending as a creative, high-quality and consistent craft while offering participants recognition and career growth opportunities.Bar Maestro will feature ABD Maestro’s premium portfolio, including RANGEELA Contemporary Indian Vodka, ZOYA Special Batch Gin and WOODBURNS Contemporary Indian Whisky.
The competition will be conducted in three progressive rounds, beginning with participants creating an original signature Highball cocktail inspired by their city’s culture and identity. Selected finalists will then be challenged to develop three unique cocktails featuring local ingredients and regional stories. Commenting on the launch, Bikram Basu, Managing Director of ABD Maestro, said India’s bar and cocktail culture is undergoing a significant transformation, with bartenders emerging as key creative forces in the hospitality industry. He added that the annual platform aims to support Indian talent on both national and global stages, with winners receiving an opportunity to meet the company’s co-founder and actor Ranveer Singh.
Vikram Achanta, Founder of Tulleeho, said the initiative seeks to recognise bartenders as cultural contributors while giving deserving talent greater visibility. In Kolkata, the city’s inclusion in the competition reflects the growing interest in premium cocktails and craft beverage experiences among urban consumers. Industry observers believe the platform could help strengthen Kolkata’s evolving bar culture by encouraging innovation and providing local bartenders with national exposure. Nominations for Bar Maestro 2026 are now open, with interested bartenders invited to submit their entries through the competition platform.