Dainis Matjušins wins the Monin Cup Latvia 2025 cocktail competition!

Kombucha, aloe, Ashwagandha, creatine, Goji berry agar – these are some of the ingredients Latvian bartenders used during the Monin Cup Latvia 2025 competition themed Functional Future to create their artistic take on cocktails that are both healthy and induce wellbeing.

On 4 September, Gemoss Stage of the Riga Food 2025 trade fair became the venue for competition among 13 bartenders who were eager to win the title for the best cocktail by creating original, functional and healthy cocktails with low alcohol by volume.

The main prize, paid trip to world’s biggest bartending show, Athens Bar Show, and also the symbolic Golden Shaker, was won by Dainis Matjušins (Melnā Bite/Black Bee restaurant) and cocktail Mind Bloom.

Diāna Minha (GŌNGU restaurant) and her cocktail Acerola Pink came second, and third place went to Artjoms Opekunovs (No Saints cocktail bar) and his Crimson River cocktail.

This year’s competition was rife with talent. Through mixing creativity, technical prowess and current trends, contestants created cocktails that offer a full package with excellent taste and good-looking, as well as being great for wellbeing and health.

Monin Cup Latvia 2025 competition of the Riga Food is organised by Gemoss.

Photos: Ieva Makare