30 June 2026 | A cocktail designed to “capture the soft romance of autumn by the coast” has taken out the title of 2026 AHA & Don Julio WA’s Best Cocktail following a live mix-off between four of the state’s top hospitality venues.
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) named the Don Ruby by The Sandbar Scarborough Beach as this year’s winner after a high-energy showdown at the AHA Hospitality Expo at Crown Perth today. This is the second year in the row that The Sandbar has taken the title.
In front of a packed crowd of hospitality peers, Marina Vidal recreated the cocktail live on stage, bringing to life the flavours and inspiration behind the winning creation.
The cocktail combines Don Julio tequila, dry vermouth, rhubarb syrup and shrub for a balanced sweetness and tartness.
The three other finalists were:
- Cable Beach House, Broome – Outback Margarita
- Exchange Hotel, Pinjarra – Crimson Murray
- Lucky Chan’s, Northbridge – Con El Frutero
The judging panel, comprising Minister for Agriculture and Food Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, AHA(WA) Government Relations and Communications Manager Angela Beechey, food and drink journalist Simon Collins, and Diageo Australia Managing Director Dan Hamilton, evaluated cocktails against five key criteria: taste, visual appeal, creativity, narrative and promotion, with finalists scored out of 100.
AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the competition showcases the exceptional talent and innovation found in bars and hospitality venues right across Western Australia
“Cocktail culture in Western Australia continues to evolve and flourish, with venues constantly pushing the boundaries of flavour, presentation and originality,” Mr Woods said.
“This year’s finalists demonstrated just how much talent exists across our industry, and Don Ruby by The Sandbar Scarborough Beach proved to be a worthy winner in a highly competitive field.”
High-resolution images from the mix-off will be made available on the AHA Facebook page later this evening: https://www.facebook.com/ahawa.asn.au Please credit Ammon Creative.
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INFO FOR EDITORS
The AHA WA’s Best Cocktail competition is a state-wide contest that has become a highlight of the hospitality calendar since it was first introduced in 2023. Venues compete with a signature cocktail, with finalists determined through public voting and mystery judge visits. The top four then face off in a live mix-off at the Hospitality Expo, judged in front of peers by an expert panel based on taste, presentation, creativity, story and promotion. This popular contest not only celebrates skill and innovation behind the bar but can also boost venue profiles and attract new customers.
The AHA Hospitality Expo is WA’s leading trade-only hospitality expo. It is staged over two days at Crown Perth and features more than 40 exhibitors showcasing food, beverage and services, as well as expert-led masterclasses and the finals of the WA’s Best Cocktail and Steak Sandwich competitions.
For more info, contact Kim Forrester, Media and Communications Executive, on 0411 777 593 or email mecom@ahawa.asn.au
The AHA(WA) is the authoritative voice for the hospitality and accommodation industry in Western Australia. Since 1892, we have protected and developed the interests of our members, through strong representation and the pursuit of industry excellence. Our mission is to ensure the hospitality industry remains a vital part of the Australian way of life and to amplify the voices of those we represent.
