At the 5th Swiss Cocktail Open on May 5, 2025 in Zurich, 23 finalists competed live in front of an audience for the title of "Best Cocktail in Switzerland 2025". André Haueter from Cocktailbar zum Türk in Solothurn impressed the jury with his creative cocktail creation.
At the Swiss Cocktail Open, the largest cocktail competition in Switzerland, 23 bartenders from all over Switzerland competed against each other on Monday afternoon, May 5, at Chicago 1928 in Zurich Oerlikon. They had qualified for the final in the weeks beforehand from over 50 entries.
All bar professionals working in Switzerland were able to apply for the lively competition format with a networking area and table fair. They had to use at least one product from an international and one from a Swiss manufacturer for their drinks. In addition, the recipe could contain a maximum of one homemade ingredient and one specialty or niche product.
Top-class finale
In the first round, the 23 participants competed against each other in two groups. The top three in each group qualified for the grand final of the best six. In addition to the eventual winner André Haueter from Cocktailbar zum Türk in Solothurn, Vitor Coelho (Brasserie Notre-Dame, Payerne), Ruben Da Silva (Eden Bar, Zurich), Praveen Paul (See Bar, Lucerne), Céline Wassmer (Dry Club, Zurich) and Noah Hoffmann (Werk 8, Basel) also made it to the final of the best six.
In the final, André Haueter's creation "At Night All Cats Are Grey" won over the jury across the board. In his cocktail, he combined 4 cl cognac from Rémy Martin, 2 cl honey Chrüter liqueur from Amstutz-Manufaktur, 2 cl homemade black sesame syrup,
3 cl lime juice and 2 cl aquafaba from Oggs and gold leaf as decoration.
"The name and the meaning came before everything else," says André Haueter. He tries to make a counter-statement with his cocktail. "Usually they are always in bright, eye-catching colors. I actually tried to do the opposite," Haueter explains. "I want to make a statement that we should all stick together as a team, as humanity. We shouldn't always point at other people, react to their appearance and criticize them. Everyone is allowed to be who they are," he adds.
Best cocktail in Switzerland 2025 "At Night All Cats Are Grey"
by André Haueter | Cocktailbar zum Türk, Solothurn
| 4 cl | Cognac Rémy Martin (Lateltin AG) |
| 2 cl | Honey-Chrüter liqueur Amstutz Manufaktur (Schürch Getränke AG) |
| 2 cl | Black sesame syrup (home made) |
| 3 cl | Lime juice |
| 2 cl | Aquafaba Oggs (Delico AG) |
Decoration: Gold leaf
Second place went to Vitor Coelho from the Brasserie Notre-Dame in Payerne with his drink "Nika". Third place went to Ruben da Silva from the Eden Bar in Zurich with his "Champlain" cocktail.
Overjoyed winner
The challenge cup was presented by last year's winner Flurin Kopp. André Haueter's joy was written all over his face as he lifted the trophy in front of the numerous spectators.
Ranking list
| Cocktail name | Bartender | Local | Points |
| At Night All Cats Are Grey | André Haueter | Cocktail bar zum Türk, Solothurn | 52.60 |
| Nika | Vitor Coelho | Brasserie Notre-Dame, Payerne | 50.60 |
| Champlain | Ruben da Silva | Eden Bar, Zurich | 48.80 |
| Mayan Mirage | Praveen Paul | See Bar, Lucerne | 46.40 |
| Not a Quitter | Céline Wassmer | Dry Club, Zurich | 46.40 |
| The Boogeyman | Noah Hoffmann | Plant 8, Basel | 45.40 |
