June 2nd, 2026
Four Venues Mixing For WA’s Best Cocktail At Crown Perth
Two regional venues and two metro venues are the last ones standing in the 2026 AHA and Don Julio WA’s Best Cocktail competition, after public votes and mystery judge visits narrowed the field to four finalists.
Cable Beach House in Broome is through with the Outback Margarita, built with Kimberley agave spirits infused with bush chilli, wild-harvested native lemon myrtle, and native lemongrass, paired with Conejos Mezcal, lime, and homemade bush chilli syrup.
The Exchange Hotel in Pinjarra brings the Crimson Murray, which uses house-distilled shiraz gin and vodka alongside vanilla and blueberry syrups.
Lucky Chan’s in Northbridge is pouring Con El Frutero, a tequila highball made with Don Julio Blanco, green mango chamoy, and rosella, inspired by the fruit vendors of Mexico’s Jalisco region.
Rounding out the four is The Sandbar Scarborough Beach with the Don Ruby — Don Julio tequila, dry vermouth, rhubarb syrup, and shrub.
The Sandbar starts with a target on its back. The Scarborough venue won last year with a cocktail called Matcha Made In Heaven, so its bartenders return as the ones to beat.
The finalists will recreate their cocktails live on stage and explain the thinking behind each one, with judges scoring each on a 100-point scale across five criteria — taste, visual appeal, creativity, narrative, and promotion.
“At the upcoming mix-off, finalists will need to impress the judges not only with their technical skill and flawless execution but also with the taste of their cocktail and story behind it,” AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said.
The mix-off takes place on Tuesday, June 30th at Crown Perth, as part of the AHA Hospitality Expo.