COINTREAU RETURNS TO VANCOUVER
AND TAKES THE RED SCARF GLOBAL WITH
THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS
The iconic French liqueur continues its two-year global partnership as the official Orange Liqueur Partner and Ceremonial Scarf Sponsor. celebrating winners and the global bartending community.
For the second consecutive year, the iconic French orange liqueur returns as the Official Orange Liqueur Partner of The World’s 50 Best Bars, proudly sponsoring one of the industry’s most coveted symbols of achievement: the red ceremonial scarf. In 2026, that signature flash of red will take centre stage across all four awards ceremonies — from North America to Asia, and for the very first time,
Europe.
The 50 Best Bars 2026 calendar includes:
– North America’s 50 Best Bars – 20–23 April 2026, Vancouver
– Europe’s 50 Best Bars – 29 June – 1 July 2026, Amsterdam (inaugural
edition)
– Asia’s 50 Best Bars – 2026 date & location to be confirmed
– The World’s 50 Best Bars – 2026 date & location to be confirmed
In 2026, Cointreau becomes the global sponsor of the ceremonial scarves across all four awards — the ultimate mark of bar-world brilliance. The scarf’s bold red mirrors the iconic ribbon that has adorned every Cointreau bottle since 1849. It’s a shared signature: heritage, excellence and a fearless spirit of creativity.
Last year, Cointreau turned heads with a limited run of bespoke varsity jackets for friends of the brand at the global ceremony, developed in partnership with French boutique brand and agency Gift Shop Club. In 2026, expect bigger, bolder, more immersive moments across every stop on the tour, from unexpected collaborations, new product launches and high-energy guest shifts that embody the brand’s “Shake It Up” ethos.
And with the launch of Europe’s 50 Best Bars in Amsterdam this June, the partnership expands into an exciting new chapter highlighting a new wave of talent.
For over 175 years, Cointreau has been at the heart of cocktail culture, from the Margarita to the Sidecar and beyond. Its continued partnership with the 50 Best platform reinforces its mission: to elevate mixology as an art form and champion the bartenders who constantly redefine it.
Clémence Gallet, Global Executive Director of Cointreau, said: “Year two is where things really get going. Our partnership with The World’s 50 Best Bars isn’t just about showing up — it’s about shaking things up. Sponsoring the red scarf ceremony across all four awards is our way celebrating the global bartending community. From Vancouver to Amsterdam and beyond, we’re ready to Shake It Up and celebrate the people who make cocktail culture so extraordinary.”
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, said: “The red ceremonial scarf is one of the most powerful symbols in our industry — it represents passion, creativity and relentless pursuit of excellence. Having Cointreau as the official partner across all four ceremonies in 2026 feels incredibly fitting. With the launch of Europe’s 50 Best Bars, this is a landmark year for us, and we’re thrilled to continue building a partnership that champions the very best of global bar culture.”
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ABOUT COINTREAU
Maison Cointreau, the iconic creator of orange liqueur and a pioneer in cocktail culture was founded in 1849 in Angers, France. With a legacy rooted in liquorist-distiller expertise, Cointreau remains at the heart of over 500 cocktails, including timeless classics like the Margarita and Cosmopolitan. Its signature liqueur – Cointreau L’Unique – is crafted through the precise selection and distillation of sweet and bitter orange peels, a process overseen by the Maison’s Master Distiller, Carole Quinton.
In 2025, Cointreau introduces its bold new brand platform, “Shake it Up”, a celebration of cocktail-making as a creative and social ritual. More than a tagline, it’s a call to mix things up, challenge conventions, and reimagine cocktail culture for a new generation.
Recognised for its exceptional quality and versatility, Cointreau is a staple for bartenders and cocktail enthusiastsaround the world. Discover more at cointreau.com and follow us on Instagram
ABOUT THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS
The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, provides a definitive list of the world’s best drinking venues, voted for by an Academy of more than 800 experts worldwide. The World’s 50 Best Bars list has been published annually since 2009 and has become the most anticipated ranking for drinks professionals and cocktail aficionados across the world, with the awards the highlight of the bar industry calendar. The list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars has been published since 2016, North America’s 50 Best Bars since in 2022 and Europe’s 50 Best Bars was launched in 2026. William Reed, which owns the 50 Best brand, is entirely responsible for the organisation of the awards, the voting system and the respective lists