Articles
TEATENDER junior cup 2026 — looking back at the event
TEATENDER junior cup 2026 — looking back at the event
- Published
- 28. 04. 2026
- At the Makro Czech Gastro Fest in Prague's O2 Universe, a new generation of bartenders came together to create non-alcoholic cocktails from Japanese matcha inspired by the longevity trend - longevity, vitality and a healthy lifestyle.
When matcha met young bartending talents
On Friday, April 10, 2026, the TEATENDER junior cup 2026 competition took place at the O2 Universum Congress Center, organized by the Czech Bartenders Association under the leadership of guarantor David Švábenský. The event was part of the prestigious Makro Czech Gastro Fest trade fair, and we had the honor of being its main tea partner.
The task of the young competitors was clear: to create an original non-alcoholic Fancy Cocktail that would contain at least 2 g of Japanese Bio Matcha Tea Imperial tea and at the same time reflect the philosophy of longevity – i.e. drinks that support energy, vitality and long-term health.
„Matcha is an ideal ingredient thanks to its content of antioxidants, L-theanine and mild caffeine, which support concentration and long-term energy.“
Why longevity and matcha
The longevity trend is gaining momentum in both gastronomy and bartending. It focuses on drinks that support vitality, antioxidants, functional ingredients, natural flavors, and sustainability. Matcha fits perfectly into this concept – combining a distinctive tea experience with a unique nutritional profile.
The contestants were given free rein in how they would incorporate matcha into their drink. CBA recommended fermented products, herbs, adaptogens, fresh fruit, and natural sweeteners with a low glycemic index as inspiration ingredients. The result was creative, colorful, and often surprisingly ripe ideas.
What the juniors had to master
The Non-alcoholic Fancy Cocktail category has its strict rules – and it was within these rules that the competitors had to shine:
- 0.0% alcohol – purely non-alcoholic category
- Minimum 200 ml of final drink
- Recipe with 4-7 ingredients including sprinkles and drops
- Minimum 2 g Bio Matcha Tea Imperial
- Time limit of 6 minutes for preparing 3 servings
- Emphasis on aesthetics, presentation and decoration in the style of Fancy Cocktail
The result was evaluated by the CBA jury and the competition was also included in the year-round classification of “Barman of the Year” and “Teatender of the Year”, in the Monin brand glasses and in the selection for the Mattoni Special Award.
Accompanying program: from ceremony to global trend
The competition was complemented by expert lectures that presented matcha from multiple angles – from its cultural history to modern mixology.
10:40
Opening of the festival and presentation of the TEATENDER 2026 competition
11:25
TEATENDER 2026 competition – I. block
Young bartenders in action
13:25
History – present day of Matcha Tea
Honza Zlámaný, Matcha Tea
16:55
Modern gastronomic discipline
Kateřina Vymazalová, Tea Mixology
17:40
Matcha in Monin syrups
Tomáš Prückner, Monin
Matcha – from ceremony to global trend
Honza Zlámaný from Matcha Tea’s lecture explained why matcha is “now” everywhere – from cafes to social networks to export markets. We covered the journey from the Japanese tea ceremony to a cultural practice and a modern product: history → production → taste → health → market.
Competition Partners
TEATENDER junior cup was created thanks to the cooperation of several brands, which provided the competitors with a complete portfolio for their recipes:
- Matcha Tea
Bio Matcha Tea Imperial - Monin
Syrups and purees - Mattoni 1873
Water and soft drinks - Makro
Other ingredients and ice
Want to try the same matcha as the contestants?
Organic Matcha Tea Imperial is our premium ceremonial matcha – the same one that the juniors worked with at the TEATENDER cup. Its earthy, complex flavor, beautiful foam and high antioxidant content make it an ideal ingredient for drinking, baking and mixology.
MAIN INGREDIENT OF THE COMPETITION
Organic Matcha Tea Imperial
25 bags of 2 g each – a month’s supply. 100% Japanese origin, organic certification, laboratory-tested batch. Great for both traditional preparation with a whisk and for creating your own cocktails and functional drinks.
