Feel Creative. There’s no creativity without boundaries.
About the Competition
What’s the Challenge? This is your moment to unleash your creativity. Create your version of a twist to the perfect Paloma!
The Canvas: Your cocktail must include Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda and an agave-based spirit.
Make it Art: Create a drink that’s visually captivating, innovative, and perfectly balanced.
Replicability matters: Homemade ingredients are welcome, but ensure they can be commercially sourced.
Carbonation Counts: Ensure an appropriate level of carbonation.
Beyond that? It’s all up to you.
Why Join?
Bartenders: Showcase your creativity and gain recognition in the industry.
Prizes: An all-expenses-paid trip to Athens Bar Show and €500 prize.
Recognition: Media coverage and a spotlight through our mini-documentary series.


Prizes & Perks
Main Prize: An all-expenses-paid trip to Athens Bar Show + €500 prize.
Additional Perks:
Industry recognition and media coverage..
Feature in our mini-documentaries.
Network with top bartenders and industry leaders during the final event.
How to enter
Create Your Paloma
– Start with the essentials – Agave-based spirit and Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda.
– Then make it yours. Add your twist, garnish, creativity of your own.
Submit Your Entry
– Upload a photo of your cocktail on Instagram and tag @threecents_official and @dublinbaracademy.
– In the caption, explain your creation. Ingredients, recipe, and taste profile.
– Fill in the entry form below.
Judging Criteria
Creativity Within Boundaries
Can you push your creative limits while working within rules? How will you make your Paloma stand out while ensuring it includes 100ml of Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda and an agave-based spirit?
Drink Concept & Balance
Is your Paloma a true original? Does your chosen ingredients bring balance and complement the Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda? Do you have the appropriate level of carbonation?
Presentation & Photography
A winning drink should look as good as it tastes. How well is your Paloma presented? And how creative is your photo?
Replicability
A masterpiece should last. Can your Paloma be recreated consistently without compromising quality?
Event Details
Final Event & Industry Night
When
28th April 2025
Where
Dublin Bar Academy
What
Networking and party
with industry leaders.
How to Enter
- Create Your Paloma: Use Three Cents mixers to design the best Paloma recipe. Ensure ingredients are replicable and commercially available.
- Submit Your Entry:
- Upload a photo of your cocktail using the entry form below.
- OR share a link to your Instagram post showcasing the cocktail.
The Final Competition Night
What to expect:
- The 6 finalists will prepare their cocktails in front of the judging panel.
- Network with industry leaders and fellow bartenders
- Announcement of winners and celebration of creativity.
Judges & Ambassadors
Meet the Judges!

Megan Lopez
Co-owner Liquid to Lips
With 16 years in bars and global drinks brands across the U.S., U.K., Asia, and Ireland, Meg has worked across every level of the industry, from dive bars to award-winning cocktail programs. As a skilled bartender and hospitality professional, she understands how to build meaningful connections through drinks and service. As co-owner of Liquid to Lips and a member of Trade Secrets and The Bartender Collective, Meg has helped shape bar programs, train bartenders, and create opportunities that strengthen the industry from the inside out.

Gary Kelly
Head Instructor at Dublin Bar Academy
As Head Instructor at Dublin Bar Academy, Gary has been shaping the next generation of bartenders, running hands-on training and masterclasses that bring technique and creativity together. His career has taken him around the world, working with leading brands and industry professionals. A seasoned competitor and judge, Gary has placed in international cocktail competitions and evaluated industry awards like Best Cocktail Experience at the Irish Restaurant Awards. He has a keen eye for creativity and technical skill, ensuring every contender gets the recognition they deserve.

Alexandros Sourbatis
Three Cents Brand Ambassador
With 25 years of experience in the bar industry, Alexandros has built a career across Greece, Germany, and the UK, earning certifications from some of the world’s most prestigious programs, including the B.A.R. 5-Day in New York. A Havana Club Grand Prix (2014) and Nikka Perfect Serve (2016) winner, he has managed and consulted for top venues, trained bartenders, and represented leading spirits brands. Most recently, as Three Cents Global Brand Ambassador, he has led activations and events worldwide, sharing his expertise on cocktail culture and premium artisanal mixers.
Terms & Conditions for the Three Cents Paloma Cocktail Competition
Open to ROI and NI resident bartenders only who are over the age of 18 years old. This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram or any other social media platform. Entries are the property of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland Limited & Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland Limited. The prize includes a trip to the Athens Bar Show (Flights, Accommodation & Athens Bar Show ticket). To enter, upload your cocktail photo through Instagram, and provide a link to it on the website https://dublinbaracademy.com/three-cents-feel-creative-competition. This competition is open from 7th April 2025 to 23.59 (GMT) 21st April 2025. Any uploads after 23.59pm 21st April 2025 won’t be accepted. There is one (1) prize available, which includes a €500 prize and a trip to the Athens Bar Show. The trip is only valid for the event dates and is non-transferable. The winner must have a valid passport and be able to travel to Athens. Excl. apply. Promoter: Coca-Cola HBC Ireland Limited. All rights reserved.
- Promoter’s Name and Address
The Promoters are Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland Limited, Knockmore Hill, 12 Lissue Road, Lisburn BT28 2SZ and Coca-Cola HBC Ireland Limited, Huntstown Business Park, Cappagh Road, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11(collectively hereinafter “CCHBC” or the “Promoter”.)
- Eligibility
The Promotion is not open to staff of the Promoter (be they employees or contractors), their immediate family members or staff of any associated companies, agencies, including promotional partners, administrators, fulfilment agencies or anyone professionally connected with this Promotion.
The Promotion is open to professional bartenders currently residing in Ireland who are over the age of 18.
Entries which are late, incomplete, misspelt, or incomprehensible are void and will not be entered into this Promotion, nor will they be contacted.
All entrants will be deemed to have accepted and understood these Terms and Conditions and be bound by them. This will be strictly enforced by the Promoter.
We may ask for proof of business residence or eligibility. Delay or failure to provide the evidence to our reasonable satisfaction may result in an entry being void or a Prize being forfeited.
Failure to adhere to these Terms and Conditions may result in disqualification from the Promotion and forfeiture of the Prize. This shall be at the sole discretion of the Promoter and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Competition Overview
Participants must craft a Paloma cocktail incorporating Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda and an agave-based spirit. Entries will also be evaluated on the carbonation of the cocktail. Homemade ingredients are allowed, provided they are either commercially available or easily replicable. Each participant is limited to a single entry. Entries must include a detailed cocktail recipe accompanied by a high-quality photo of the drink. Participants must also tag @threecents_official and @dublinbaracademy on Instagram and craft a caption explaining why they chose their selected ingredient to create their Paloma.
- Timeline
The promotion for the competition will commence on 28th March 2025, with entries open from 7th April 2025 until 23:59 (GMT) on 21st April 2025. Any entries submitted after this deadline will be considered invalid and will not be eligible for participation.
Finalists will be announced on 25th April 2025 via Dublin Bar Academy’s Instagram page and will also be contacted directly via email. The final event and industry night will take place on 28th April 2025, where finalists will have the opportunity to present their drink to the judging panel.
Media releases for winners will be on (TBC).
4. Submission Rules
Recipes must use at least one Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda and an agave-based spirit as a core ingredient. All submissions must be original and not previously published or submitted in other competitions. Participants must ensure their entries do not infringe on third-party rights. Entries must be submitted via the official competition webpage at https://dublinbaracademy.com/three-cents-feel-creative-competition. All participants may upload a photo directly or provide a link to an Instagram post showcasing their entry on the webpage.
5. Judging Criteria
Submissions shall be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Creativity and innovation.
- Drink concept & balance, including appropriate level of carbonation.
- Replicability of the recipe.
- Presentation and photography.
- Compliance with the competition guidelines.
The judging panel shall include Megan Lopez, Gary Kelly (Head Instructor at Dublin Bar Academy), Alexandros Sourbatis (Three Cents Brand Ambassador), and an additional designated judge. All decisions made by the judges shall be final, conclusive, and binding.
6. Prizes
The Prize is supplied by the Promoter and comprises of one of the following:
- A trip to the Athens Bar Show.
- €500 prize.
- Media coverage, including mini-documentaries and industry recognition.
The Prize will be delivered on and after the 28th April 2025. Timing of delivery will be subject to availability and will be at the Promoter’s sole discretion. The winner must provide details of where to send the prize.
The winner is responsible for any costs or expenses involved in claiming or using the Prize other than those that are expressly stated above as being included as part of the Prize.
The Prize is offered as stated and is non-transferable. The stated prize is non-exchangeable, and no alternative prize will be offered. However, the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with another of equal value if necessary.
7. Intellectual Property
By entering the competition, participants grant the organizers and sponsors the right to use submitted recipes, photos, videos, and related materials for promotional and marketing purposes. Credit will be given to the creator whenever possible.
8. Disqualification
Submissions that do not adhere to the rules or include prohibited ingredients will be disqualified. Participants who provide false information or engage in inappropriate behaviour may be removed from the competition.
9. Participation in Final Event
Finalists must be available to attend the final event and industry night on April 28th at Dublin Bar Academy. Travel and accommodation expenses for finalists are not covered unless explicitly stated.
10. Liability
The Promoter reserves the right to withdraw or amend this Promotion, Prize and or these Terms and Conditions in the event of any unforeseen circumstances without notice.
To the greatest extent permitted by law, the Promoter accepts no liability for any damage, loss or injury suffered due to entering this Promotion or taking up a Prize. Insofar as permitted by law, neither the Promoter nor the promotional parties assume any responsibility or liability for:
- Any incorrect or inaccurate entry, or for any faulty, incorrect, failed, erroneous or failed electronic data transmissions; and/or
- Communications line failure, regardless of cause, with regard to any equipment, systems, networks, lines, satellites, servers, computers or providers utilized in any aspect of this Promotion causing delays or disruption.
The Promoter and any associated agencies will not be liable for any loss (including, without limitation, indirect, special or consequential loss or loss of profits), expense or damage which is suffered or sustained (whether or not arising from any person’s negligence) in connection with this Promotion or accepting or using the Prize, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law (including personal injury, death and fraud) in which case that liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Neither the Promoter nor any of its associated or affiliated companies shall accept any responsibility for difficulties, cost or expense experienced in submitting an entry to the Promotion.
Neither the Promoter nor any of its associated or affiliated companies shall be liable to any entrant for any cancellation, discontinuance or delay affecting this Promotion.
If there is any reason to believe that there has been a breach of these Terms and Conditions, or any behaviour or misconduct on the part of the participants/winner(s) that disrupts either the efficient running of the Promotion, the enjoyment of the Prize or the reputation/integrity of Promoter, the Promoter may at its sole discretion refuse to accept entry or to terminate/suspend the Promotion and/or the entrants/winners.
The Promoter reserves the right at any time, without notice, to amend, modify, or change these Terms and Conditions, and to postpone, suspend or cancel this Promotion, or any aspect thereof, without notice at any time, for any reason which the Promoter reasonably deems necessary.
11. Data Privacy
For the purposes of this Promotion, entrants must be a customer of the Promoter and purchase CCHBC products via the Promoter’s customer portal. As such, entrants will have a registered customer account with the Promoter which shall include commercial entity information only. This means that any contact information will be limited to commercial outlet/retail information, rather than personal data. However, in the event that personal data is collected and processed, for example, the name of the owner of the participating venue or outlet, the Promoter shall be the Data Controller. You can reach our data protection officer at [email protected] and access our Privacy and Cookie Notice here: https://ie.coca-colahellenic.com/en/privacy-notice.
12. Agreement to Terms
By entering the competition, participants agree to abide by these Terms & Conditions. Organizers reserve the right to modify the rules or cancel the competition at any time, with prior notice to participants.
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland, as applicable, and any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Northern Irish or Irish Courts, as applicable.
The information you provide will only be used for communication associated with this Promotion or for further brand communication if the entrant has specifically opted in to receive this.
