2025 USBG Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO Top 30 Challenges

 For 15 years, World Class has been a driving force in evolving cocktail culture and supporting the global hospitality industry. As the premier bartending competition in the United States, USBG Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO raises the bar each year with challenges designed to showcase the skills necessary for the US World Class Bartender of the Year to take the global stage.

The 2025 World Class Top 30 competitors are eagerly preparing for the National Finals in Atlanta, just a few weeks away, taking place from May 18 to 20. They will be tested in three different challenges whose scores will determine who will move on to the Top 10 challenges for a chance at the ultimate crown. Let’s take a look at each challenge!

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey’s Craft & Pair – Southern Flair

In this challenge, competitors have been randomly assigned either Bulleit Bourbon or Bulleit Rye. Their task is to select one dish from a specially curated iconic southern menu and create a signature cocktail featuring the assigned spirit that pairs perfectly with the flavors of the dish.

Local honey-maple black pepper bacon candy, brown buttered corn on the cob and brown sugar dry rubbed BBQ brisket are just a few of the delicious options the competitors can select from. This challenge is designed to test a competitor’s flavor-pairing abilities as they artfully select a dish to complement their assigned Bulleit variant and craft the perfect paired cocktail. 

Don Julio’s Mercado Mix-Off

The Mercado Mix-off challenges competitors to flex their creative muscles as they draw inspiration from their own experiences and the vibrant heart of Mexican commerce and community life, to create two inspired tequila-based cocktails featuring Don Julio 70 Cristalino. For the first of the two cocktails, competitors will craft a classic tequila cocktail, incorporating ingredients often found at a Mexican mercado, and paying homage to Don Julio’s roots. Then competitors breaking away from tradition, have been tasked with creating a cocktail that is entirely unique and unexpected that redefines what tequila can be. Competitors will be scored on originality, innovation and their ability to share their inspiration and bring the story behind their cocktails to life.
 

Speed Round

Last but certainly not least, is everyone’s favorite Speed Round Challenge. In this challenge competitors must develop and design a World Class menu based on a pop-up bar of their choosing. One of the six offerings must be a no-ABV cocktail. They will then race against the clock to create their six drinks in only eight minutes! Judges will be scoring competitors based on technical skills, excellent cocktail craft,  world-class hospitality, and their ability to showcase their chosen theme.

USBG Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO offers competitors access to trend-leading education and training programs backed by Diageo Bar Academy. Check out the recommended readings for each challenge, for insight into how competitors are sharpening their skills before Atlanta and beyond!