ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the luxury and super-premium spirits arm of Allied Blenders & Distillers Limited (ABD), has advanced its nationwide bartending platform, Bar Maestro, to Round 2 after receiving more than 350 entries from seven cities, highlighting the growing momentum of India’s premium cocktail culture. Organised in partnership with the Tulleeho Beverage Academy, the competition has shortlisted 160 bartenders whose original highball cocktails, crafted using WOODBURNS Contemporary Indian Whisky, will now compete for a place in the national finals. The campaign has also generated strong consumer engagement, recording over 7.6 million views on Instagram.
Kolkata emerged as a standout market, with participating bartenders showcasing Bengal’s rich culinary heritage by incorporating iconic local ingredients such as Kasundi mustard, GobindoBhog rice, Jharna ghee, panchphoron and Nolen Gur into innovative cocktail recipes. The entries reflected a blend of technical excellence, creativity and cultural storytelling, reinforcing the city’s reputation as an emerging destination for premium food and beverage experiences. Commenting on the response, BikramBasu, Managing Director of ABD Maestro, said the competition reflects the evolution of India’s bartending community, with participants creating distinctive narratives around regional cultures and ingredients while driving innovation in the country’s cocktail landscape.
Round 2 will be judged by industry experts Sanjay Ghosh and ShrenikAvlani, who will select two bartenders from Kolkata for the national finals. The competition will culminate with a Bar Takeover on August 19 and the Grand Finale on August 20. Consumers can experience the shortlisted cocktails at participating outlets across Kolkata, including Park Street, Chowrangee Road, Rajarhat, Salt Lake and Sector V, from July 27 to August 3.
