Overview: Brendan Grey has been named Australia’s 2026 Nikka Perfect Serve champion following a competition in Melbourne, while Hard Rated launches a new Orange Passionfruit Zero Sugar flavour as part of a national campaign. The events highlight significant developments within the Australian spirits and beer sectors.
The Full Story
Brendan Grey from Western Australia secured the title after ten of Australia’s top bartenders competed in Melbourne. The competition theme was “Inspired by the Guest,” guided by Nikka Whisky, with judges playing the role of drinkers to test how well bartenders could read the person and respond with the right cocktail for that moment. The winning cocktail was a tribute to Grey’s favourite customer at Tigerfish, Cottesloe – 70 year old Rhonda – featuring lavender from her garden, Nikka from the Barrel, honey syrup, and homemade hay and blackberry soda.
Hard Rated has launched a two-pronged major national campaign to promote its newest flavour, Orange Passionfruit Zero Sugar 4.5%. This launch follows the brand achieving a milestone of $1.5 billion in retail sales. The campaign aims to build on that success with the new flavour release.
Production & Profile
The winning cocktail for Rhonda and Rita utilized specific technical specifications to achieve its profile. The recipe called for 50ml Nikka from the Barrel, 10ml Honey syrup infused with lavender, 120ml Hay and blackberry soda, a dash of cardamom bitters, 5g Hay straw, 10g blackberries, and 500ml water. The method required triple carbonating all ingredients three times at 35PSI and pouring in a highball over a long ice spear. Garnish included lavender dry baked with honey, which was rapidly infused in a siphon filter for three hours before refrigeration for 24 hours.
Brand & Industry History
The Nikka Perfect Serve competition draws on the Japanese philosophy Ichi-go, Ichi-e, meaning one moment, one encounter. The winning cocktail is also a tribute to Nikka Whisky founder Masataka Taketsuru’s Scottish wife, Rita and her quiet, guiding influence on the distillery, which was founded in 1934. Last year, Sydney bartender Takashi Matsumoto won the Australian title before taking out the Global prize, with his cocktail paying homage to his hometown of Yoichi.
What This Means
Brendan Grey will now travel to Japan in November to represent Australia at the Nikka Perfect Serve Global Final. The winner will compete against leading bartenders from around the world and gain access to Nikka’s distilleries and hospitality network. This progression marks a significant step for Australian representation on the global stage.
Consumer Takeaway
The release offers consumers a journey likened to rolling hills through the winning cocktail, which complements the taste of the whisky with unexpected ingredients like lavender and hay. Hard Rated provides an option for those seeking a mid-strength beer experience with the new Orange Passionfruit Zero Sugar 4.5% flavour.
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