The Czech Republic remains at the forefront of global non-alcoholic mixology. At the 13th Mattoni Grand Drink, the home representative successfully defended the title. Following last year’s triumph by Martin Vogeltanz, Jan Lukas from Café Datel in České Budějovice has added another victory. He won over the international jury with his cocktail “The Nest,” competing against nineteen bartenders from around the world, and takes home not only the title but also a $10,000 prize.
The Nest cocktail by Jan Lukas
Ingredients:
- Mattoni sparkling water (10 cl)
- Aloe vera (3 cl)
- Paragon Rue Berry cordial (2 cl)
- Celery stalk (15 g)
- Green apple-flavoured sauce
Garnish: Celery leaves
Method: Place the chopped celery stalk into a shaker. Measure the aloe vera and cordial, add ice, and shake thoroughly. Strain into a glass filled with ice, top up with Mattoni sparkling water, and stir with a bar spoon. Finally, add a splash of green apple flavouring and garnish with celery leaves.
A growing Czech presence
Jan Lukas has become only the fourth Czech to reach the top spot in the competition’s 26-year history. “It’s a fantastic feeling, one I’m still processing. I think it will all really sink in tomorrow during the drive home. It’s still so fresh in my mind that I’m only gradually realising the significance of this success,” he said shortly after his victory.
Mattoni Grand Drink has long been one of the most significant events in the field of non-alcoholic mixology. The winner is decided by an international jury composed of the presidents of the individual member states of the International Bartenders Association; this year, for example, representatives came from Cuba, Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Luxembourg and Latvia. The judging criteria include not only flavour harmony, but also visual presentation and the degree of innovation.
Non-alcoholic drinks as a fully-fledged experience
The competition brief is precisely defined: within six minutes, contestants must create an original non-alcoholic cocktail that not only stands up to scrutiny in terms of taste but also meets the requirements of a healthy lifestyle, including low calorie content and the use of Mattoni mineral water.
“The Mattoni Grand Drink competition is a great way for us to kick off the sunny season, to which non-alcoholic drinks are an integral part. Mattoni mineral water is a superb base for refreshing cocktails, and the contestants consistently demonstrate just how creative and flavourfully diverse the drinks they can create with it are. We are delighted that, with the growing popularity of non-alcoholic drinks, it is becoming increasingly clear that these are not merely an alternative to alcohol, but a fully-fledged experience that people choose for its taste, quality and aesthetics,” says Tomáš Střeleček, Country Manager of Mattoni 1873 for the Czech Republic.
The growing importance of non-alcoholic cocktails is also confirmed by the competition’s long-standing role as a trendsetter. “The global boom in non-alcoholic drinks confirms that, with Mattoni Grand Drink, we were ahead of our time almost thirty years ago when the competition began, and perhaps our steadfast support for this discipline has contributed to its popularity today. Non-alcoholic cocktails are no longer just an accessory, but have become an integral part of a lifestyle that deserves its place in the sun. I am proud that our competition remains a key ambassador for this trend and sets the direction for modern mixology,” adds Radek Poláček, director of the Mattoni Grand Drink competition.
The winning cocktail, “The Nest,” references both the Czech Republic and Karlovy Vary, where the Mattoni brand originates. The symbolism of the red eagle’s nest is woven into the drink’s concept, which is based on the principles of a healthy lifestyle: every ingredient has a functional purpose, from hydration to regeneration. The recipe combines tropical aloe vera with local celery.
The competition final took place on 2 May at the Thermal Hotel in Karlovy Vary and was attended by twenty bartenders from around the world, including representatives from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. In addition to the competition performances, there was also a supporting programme featuring concerts by violinist Kasperlin and singer KAYA, as well as a flair show by Martin Vogeltanz. The evening was hosted by Libor Bouček.
Selected cocktails from this year’s competition will also feature again during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which will take place from 3 to 11 July 2026, confirming that non-alcoholic mixology is no longer a fringe discipline, but a fully-fledged part of contemporary bar culture.
Source: Mattoni
