Zana Möhlmann Crowned World Class Bartender of The Year 2026 Singapore

Following the high-stakes national final, Zana Möhlmann, Beverage Manager of Manhattan and East47, will represent Singapore at the World Class Global Finals 2026 in Scotland.

(Singapore, 02 June 2026) World Class Singapore has crowned Zana Möhlmann, Beverage Manager of Manhattan and East47, as the World Class Bartender of the Year 2026 Singapore, following three months of rigorous challenges that brought together some of the nation’s most exciting bartending talent.

Held on Monday, 25 May 2026, the finals culminated in The Showdown Challenge, where the Top 5 finalists faced a service scenario designed to mirror a bar on its busiest night. Each bartender was tasked to create six classic cocktails, drawn at random from a deck of 15 recipes. The challenge spotlighted the breadth of Diageo’s portfolio, spanning some of the world’s most recognised spirits: Johnnie Walker, the iconic Scotch whisky house known for its smoky, smooth character; The Singleton, a single malt Scotch whisky celebrated for its sublimely smooth taste with a fruit decadence; Tanqueray, distinctive citrus heart which is the bartender’s choice gin for cocktail artisty; Don Julio, a premium tequila crafted from blue agave; and Zacapa, a Guatemalan rum admired for its rich decadence.

Their performances were assessed by an esteemed panel of judges comprising Vanessa Leon, Global Brand Ambassador for Ron Zacapa; Bannie Kang, 2019 World Class Bartender of the Year Global Champion and Singapore Champion; Orlando Marzo, World Class Bartender of the Year Global Champion 2018; Michito Kaneko, World Class Bartender of the Year Global Champion 2015; and Nicole-Marie Ng, Content Director for APAC at Time Out.

The Judges

Testing speed, precision, charisma and control, Zana emerged as the winner for her standout execution of six classic cocktails — the Gimlet, Paloma, Old Fashioned, Martini, Cosmopolitan and Moscow Mule — alongside an energetic performance that embodied the qualities expected of a World Class champion.

With this win, Zana will go on to represent Singapore at the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals 2026, which will take place in Scotland from 18 to 23 October 2026, joining leading bartenders from around the world on one of the industry’s most prestigious competitive stages.

“Winning World Class Singapore is an incredible honour,” said Zana. “The competition has been an intense and deeply rewarding journey, made even more meaningful by the calibre of talent I had the privilege of competing alongside. It pushed me to sharpen every part of my craft, to think with greater precision under pressure, and to stay true to the warmth and hospitality that define a great guest experience. I am incredibly excited to represent Singapore on the global stage, and to bring the energy, creativity and spirit of our bar community to the Global Finals in Scotland.”

“World Class is about nurturing the next generation of bartending talent and raising the standard of cocktail culture around the world,” said Alex Freri, General Manager, Strategic Partnerships & New Markets, SEA. (right) “This year, Zana stood out for her ability to combine technical precision, creative intent, and a strong understanding of Diageo’s portfolio. Her performance speaks to the evolution of Singapore’s bar scene, where the next generation of bartenders is bringing greater intention, product fluency and storytelling to world-class drinking experiences. We are incredibly proud to see her represent Singapore at the Global Finals in Scotland.”

Zana competed alongside fellow Top 5 finalists Ellen Su of Restaurant Born; Josiah Chee of Bar Bon Funk; Ooi Foo Giap of Last Word; and Alex “Happy” Gilmour, formerly of Manhattan, in the National Finals. The evening also saw Elisabeth Lim (right) of 28 HongKong Street, recognised with the World Class Bartender’s Bartender Award 2026 Singapore, an accolade voted for by fellow competitors in recognition of someone they looked up to throughout the journey.

The 2026 Singapore edition marks another significant year for World Class, Diageo’s global platform dedicated to elevating cocktail culture and nurturing the next generation of bartending talent. Beyond competition, World Class continues to champion education and collaboration across the drinks industry, connecting bartenders, bars and consumers through the art of fine drinking. To find out more about World Class, visit @worldclass on Instagram. @worldclass, @accela.comms