Hotel St. George’s Tuomas Hämäläinen Wins Silver at the IBA World Cocktail Championship 2026

Tuomas Hämäläinen, Bar Manager at the Wintergarden Bar at Hotel St. George in Helsinki, has won silver at the IBA World Cocktail Championship 2026 in Macau. Hämäläinen achieved a record-breaking streak of victories in the earlier rounds, with his own cocktail, “Cloud Dancer,” named the Sparkling Cocktail of the Year.

After a days-long tournament of grueling tests, judging everything from knowledge to creativity, it is now clear that Tuomas Hämäläinen is one of the world’s best bartenders. The Bar Manager at Hotel St. George’s Wintergarden Bar in Helsinki recently returned from the IBA World Cocktail Championship in Macau with a coveted silver medal. The medal carries extra weight this year, as the championship coincided with the 75th anniversary of the International Bartenders Association (IBA).

– The experience was incredible. The competition was complex and intensely demanding, both physically and mentally. Alongside the silver medal, by sweeping every preceding round, I set a new record in IBA history as the competitor with the most individual awards won in a single year. Naturally, that softens the blow of missing out on the ultimate world title, says Tuomas Hämäläinen, Bar Manager at Wintergarden Bar.

A Race to the Top

The IBA World Cocktail Championship is one of the largest competitions in mixology. In it, competitors advance through categories of knockout rounds to a grand final, which decides the World Champion. This year, Hämäläinen was the only Nordic competitor from the quarter-finals onward.

Starting off strong on the Wednesday, Hämäläinen scored top points already in his first category, which was themed around sparkling drinks. In the Thursday’s quarter-finals, competitors had to first take a theoretical test, before setting off across Macau on an Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt for drink ingredients. In the semi-finals, the theme was clarified cocktails; here, each competitor had to prepare one rum-based and one baiju-based cocktail. For the three finalists, the tournament culminated in a Friday final, where they had to prepare and present a baijiu cocktail designed in advance.

In the end, Hämäläinen secured a silver medal, having dominated the tournament by winning the preliminary round, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. In the final, it was Spain’s Gabriel Mari that managed to edge ahead and ultimately claim the world title. 

– When it comes to mixology, Tuomas personifies craftsmanship. His long and diverse career in the restaurant industry ranges from ships to renowned cocktail bars, giving him a very unique perspective on his craft. Not only that; he is also dedicated to mentoring students and inspiring people on how to find their passion. The entire team at Hotel St. George followed his excellence throughout the competition and we couldn’t be prouder of his achievement, says Kati Jousimies, General Manager of Hotel St. George.

Cloud Dancer Comes to the Wintergarden

The silver was not Tuomas Hämäläinen’s only win from the championship. Cloud Dancer, the drink he presented in the preliminary round, was also named Sparkling Cocktail of the Year. It takes its name from the soft, off-white 2026 Pantone Color of the Year, here interpreted through a Zen philosophy. In clear contrast to most conventional sparkling cocktails, it offers a rich and full-bodied palate, balanced by a minimalistic aesthetic.

Luckily for cocktail aficionados, the drink will soon be on the menu in Helsinki. From November 6, it is part of the Wintergarden Bar’s new seasonal cocktail list, created by Hämäläinen and his team. The Wintergarden Bar is built into the courtyard of design-led Hotel St. George and sheltered by a glass roof, drawing inspiration from the classical conservatories of 18th and 20th century nobility. It is here, under Pekka Jylhä’s spectacular brass bird sculpture, that Hämäläinen has combined flavor and technique to create a cocktail destination in Helsinki.

– Tuomas truly is a one-of-a-kind bartender who has put not only Hotel St. George but also Finland on the global bar map. This medal reflects his deep understanding of mixology, both as a craft and as an art form. He works with equal measures of precision and curiosity, greeting every guest with an exceptional sense of service. We’re immensely proud of him for bringing the silver home to Finland, says Henrik Berghult, Chief Operating Officer of Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle Division.

Macau was Hämäläinen’s third consecutive appearance on the global stage. He qualified each time by winning the Finnish National Championship, in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Competition rules now require him to sit out for two years, making the silver a strong finish to a dominant three-year run.

For now, Hämäläinen returns to Wintergarden Bar with one more medal. However, the recognition he received in Macau has not dimmed his competitive spirit; on the contrary. He is already looking forward to his next championship.

– As soon as possible, I'll go again. I've told people at home too that one day I'll hold that trophy in my hands, says Tuomas Hämäläinen.