Franklin & Sons, has announced the return of its cocktail competition, Flavour in Motion.
Now in its third year, Flavour in Motion continues to celebrate creativity, storytelling and technical excellence, inviting bartenders from across the UK to showcase both their skills behind the bar and the personal journeys that have shaped their careers.
As Franklin & Sons marks its 140th anniversary in 2026, this year’s competition theme draws inspiration from the brand’s heritage while looking firmly towards the future.
Founded in 1886, Franklin & Sons has spent 140 years pioneering flavour and building a legacy through its portfolio of premium tonics, sodas and soft drinks. In a nod to the brand’s founding, entrants are challenged to create a cocktail that bridges two eras of bartending – combining a heritage technique from the 1880s with a modern technique that reflects the skills and innovation they have developed throughout their careers.
Bartenders can enter by submitting their cocktail via email and by sharing the creation on social media and tagging @franklinandsons as part of their entry, using the hashtag #flavourinmotion. Following the entry period – which will run until 30th June – 20 bartenders will be shortlisted to progress to the next stage of the competition. Each will be visited in their venue by a brand representative and judged on their cocktail concept, execution and storytelling. The 10 highest scoring bartenders will then earn a place in the grand final in London in late July, where they will compete for the 2026 Flavour in Motion title.
The competition, which was first launched in 2024, aims to support the next generation of bartending talent, offering cash prizes dedicated to personal growth and personal development. The bartender who wins first place will take home a prize fund of £2,500, with 2nd and 3rd place awarded £500 and £250 respectively.
Last year saw London’s Alessandro Todini, part of Mezze & Mezzo and Beyond Mead, take first place with his ‘Strawberries & Cream’ cocktail, a twist on a classic Aperol Spritz which combined Franklin & Sons Rhubarb Lemonade with Aperol. The serve was accompanied with a strawberries and cream ice cream made from surplus ingredients, highlighting Alessandro’s passion for sustainability and reducing waste behind the bar.
Tommaso Cicala, Franklin & Sons’ UK Brand Ambassador commented: “2026 is a big year for Franklin & Sons as we celebrate 140 years of craftsmanship and pioneering flavour. We wanted this year’s competition to reflect both our origin as a brand and where the bartending profession is heading.
“The first cocktail a bartender learns often marks the beginning of their career, and we’re excited to see how entrants reinterpret those drinks and hone in on the creativity, skills and experience they’ve gained throughout their careers.”
Entries for Flavour in Motion are now open and will close on 30th June 2026. For further information and to enter, please visit www.franklinandsons.co.uk/flavour-in-motion/.