10 Finalists Announced for Giffard West Cup 2026 Japan Preliminary
Giffard, the historic 141-year-old French liqueur and syrup manufacturer, has selected 10 finalists for the Japanese preliminary of its 29th biennial international cocktail competition.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 28, 2026 at 02:21
- 🔍 Collected: May 28, 2026 at 05:10 (2h 48m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 28, 2026 at 05:10 (0 min after Collected)
Giffard West Cup 2026: Japan Preliminary Finalists Announcement
■ Competing for the Title of "World's Best Drink Creator"
Giffard, the venerable French liqueur and syrup house, is hosting the "GIFFARD WEST CUP 2026," an international cocktail competition for professional drink creators. Established in 1997 and held every two years, this competition brings together top-tier bartenders from around the globe to Angers, France—Giffard's hometown—to compete for the ultimate title using original cocktails crafted with Giffard products.
■ 10 Finalists Selected for the "Japan Final 2026"
This year marks Japan's third participation since 2024. Approximately 110 applications were received nationwide, centered on the theme "SIP THE MOMENTS." Following a rigorous document screening process, ten finalists have been selected to advance to the Japan Final.
2026 Japan Finalists (In no particular order):
- Hiromitsu Ito (Cocktail Bar Raven / Tokyo) | Cocktails: Kissa Flot / Matsuri Frost
- Satoru Ohno (Black Terrace / Tokyo) | Cocktails: Fleur de Nuit / Hakuro
- Koki Oyama (Grand Exiv Toba / Mie) | Cocktails: Scent of Dawn / Sillage of Memory
- Madoka Kawamura (BAR ReCalm / Hokkaido) | Cocktails: Hakumei / Hakoniwa
- Yosuke Shiga (THE SAILING BAR / Nara) | Cocktails: Aube / Nuit
- Shoki Taniguchi (Rigo SPANISH ITALIAN / Tokyo) | Cocktails: Los / Anul
- Danny Xue (Bar LiBRE GINZA / Tokyo) | Cocktails: First Light / Night Shift
- Takuma Tsutsumi (bar ugle / Fukuoka) | Cocktails: Silent Awakening / Golden Amber
- Naoki Nakamura (Hilton Hiroshima ZATTA BAR / Hiroshima) | Cocktails: Prologue of the Day / Secret Epilogue
- Masanori Fujikura (Bar×Bar×Bar WATARASE / Tochigi) | Cocktails: Japonês Garantido / Véraison
■ Roadmap to the World Final
The Japan Final will be held in Tokyo on June 16, 2026. The winner will represent Japan at the Asia-Pacific Final in Manila, Philippines, in mid-July. The top four performers from the regional final will earn a spot in the World Final in Angers, France, in late September. The world champion will receive a premium journey to explore coffee terroirs in South America.
■ About Giffard
Founded in 1885 in Angers, France, Giffard is a leading family-owned liqueur and syrup manufacturer. Their products are distributed in over 85 countries and are highly trusted by professional bartenders and baristas worldwide. In Japan, Koto Corporation (liqueurs) and Ogawa Coffee (syrups) have handled imports since 2021 and 2022, respectively.
■ Competing for the Title of "World's Best Drink Creator"
Giffard, the venerable French liqueur and syrup house, is hosting the "GIFFARD WEST CUP 2026," an international cocktail competition for professional drink creators. Established in 1997 and held every two years, this competition brings together top-tier bartenders from around the globe to Angers, France—Giffard's hometown—to compete for the ultimate title using original cocktails crafted with Giffard products.
■ 10 Finalists Selected for the "Japan Final 2026"
This year marks Japan's third participation since 2024. Approximately 110 applications were received nationwide, centered on the theme "SIP THE MOMENTS." Following a rigorous document screening process, ten finalists have been selected to advance to the Japan Final.
2026 Japan Finalists (In no particular order):
- Hiromitsu Ito (Cocktail Bar Raven / Tokyo) | Cocktails: Kissa Flot / Matsuri Frost
- Satoru Ohno (Black Terrace / Tokyo) | Cocktails: Fleur de Nuit / Hakuro
- Koki Oyama (Grand Exiv Toba / Mie) | Cocktails: Scent of Dawn / Sillage of Memory
- Madoka Kawamura (BAR ReCalm / Hokkaido) | Cocktails: Hakumei / Hakoniwa
- Yosuke Shiga (THE SAILING BAR / Nara) | Cocktails: Aube / Nuit
- Shoki Taniguchi (Rigo SPANISH ITALIAN / Tokyo) | Cocktails: Los / Anul
- Danny Xue (Bar LiBRE GINZA / Tokyo) | Cocktails: First Light / Night Shift
- Takuma Tsutsumi (bar ugle / Fukuoka) | Cocktails: Silent Awakening / Golden Amber
- Naoki Nakamura (Hilton Hiroshima ZATTA BAR / Hiroshima) | Cocktails: Prologue of the Day / Secret Epilogue
- Masanori Fujikura (Bar×Bar×Bar WATARASE / Tochigi) | Cocktails: Japonês Garantido / Véraison
■ Roadmap to the World Final
The Japan Final will be held in Tokyo on June 16, 2026. The winner will represent Japan at the Asia-Pacific Final in Manila, Philippines, in mid-July. The top four performers from the regional final will earn a spot in the World Final in Angers, France, in late September. The world champion will receive a premium journey to explore coffee terroirs in South America.
■ About Giffard
Founded in 1885 in Angers, France, Giffard is a leading family-owned liqueur and syrup manufacturer. Their products are distributed in over 85 countries and are highly trusted by professional bartenders and baristas worldwide. In Japan, Koto Corporation (liqueurs) and Ogawa Coffee (syrups) have handled imports since 2021 and 2022, respectively.
FAQ
What is the theme for the 2026 competition?
The theme is 'SIP THE MOMENTS: CRAFT YOUR JOURNEY FROM SUNRISE TO MOONLIGHT,' requiring two connected drinks that capture different moods or times of the day.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Japan competition?
Applicants must be at least 20 years old, working professionals in the hospitality industry (hotels, bars, cafes, etc.), residents of Japan, and able to attend all stages from the Japan Final to the World Final.
What is the grand prize for the World Final winner?
The global winner will receive a premium journey to South America, including round-trip airfare and accommodation, to experience authentic coffee terroirs.