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Two crafts. One stage.

India's barista X bartender championship.

Register FREE →

Registration opens 25 Jun · Closes 25 Jul · Submission deadline 31 Jul

₹1L+
Prizes to be Won
0
Entry Fees
3
Cities
500+
Expected Registrations
About CxC

India's Homegrown Competition

Coffee X Cocktail Championship — CxC — is India's only home-grown competition that brings baristas and bartenders together under one roof. It creates a single stage for two iconic crafts. CxC celebrates the art of flavour, the skill of technique, and the spirit of collaboration.

We believe that the two crafts are thriving in India right now and putting us on the world map. They are distinct in their ways, yet have a lot in common. CxC creates an opportunity for knowledge and skill sharing between the two communities.

Entry is completely free. We believe in creating an inclusive community and want to make the journey of craft an enjoyable and accessible one.

Presented by Swa Artisanal Syrups.

CxC 2025
How it Works

Enter as an Individual. Build a Team.

You don't need a partner to register. The top performers from each region earn their spot at the Regionals. We match-make you with your partner.

FREE
1

Register

Sign up as a barista or bartender. We'll dispatch your Swa sample pack to make your recipe. Register early to have more time to craft.

2

Create & Submit

Create an original recipe using your Swa syrup. Film your preparation, upload your video and recipe card before 31 July.

3

Qualify for Regionals

Top 10 bartenders and baristas from each region qualify. They are paired into teams of two. The Regionals happen live in August at Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

4

Grand Finale

6 finalist teams compete at the Grand Finale on 8 September, Bangalore. Winners walk away with the title — and prizes over ₹1L.

Important Dates

Mark Your Calendar

25
June 2026
Registration Opens
Free to enter
25
July 2026
Registration Closes
Register early
31
July 2026
Submission Deadline
Video + recipe card upload
★
8–25 Aug 2026
Regionals
Delhi · Mumbai · Bangalore
8
September 2026
Grand Finale
Bangalore — 6 teams, one winner
Regionals

3 Cities. 3 Battles.

Qualify as one of the top 10 bartenders or baristas in your region, and you're in the Regionals. Teams are formed from shortlisted individuals — no partner needed at registration.

Regional 1 · Delhi NCR

North India

Date: 11 August 2026

Format: 10 barista + 10 bartender teams competing live

4 finalists — 2 baristas + 2 bartenders — advance to the Finale

Regional 2 · Bangalore

West India

Date: 18 August 2026

Format: 10 barista + 10 bartender teams competing live

4 finalists — 2 baristas + 2 bartenders — advance to the Finale

Regional 3 · Mumbai

South India

Date: 25 August 2026

Format: 10 barista + 10 bartender teams competing live

4 finalists — 2 baristas + 2 bartenders — advance to the Finale

Grand Finale · Bangalore

The CxC 2026 Championship Final

6 finalist teams. One floor. India's best barista-bartender pairing walks away with the title.

8 Sep
Bangalore, India
The Jury

Judged by the Best in the Business

Our panel brings together India's most respected names from both sides of the bar.

Avinash Kapoli
Avinash Kapoli
Co-Founder, SOKA & Kompany Hospitality

17 years behind the bar. Co-founder of SOKA, Bangalore's celebrated cocktail destination, and Kompany Hospitality. A pioneer of experimental Indian mixology.

↗ LinkedIn
Vaishali Mehta
Vaishali Mehta
Co-Founder, Swa Artisanal Syrups

Vaishali built Swa from the ground up — a brand committed to real Indian ingredients, no preservatives, and craft. Her vision is to build Swa as a community first brand.

↗ LinkedIn
Felix Daniel
Felix Daniel
Coffee Professional & Beverage Innovator

18 years in the coffee industry. Two-time India Barista Champion (2008 & 2009), Felix represented India at the World Barista Championship in Copenhagen and Atlanta. Certified Q Grader and coffee roasting specialist, he has led beverage innovation at Dunkin' Donuts India and built training programs for some of the country's largest café chains.

↗ LinkedIn
Aman Dua
Aman Dua
Founder, CBD & Co-Founder, 403 Forbidden Bar

One of Bangalore's most inventive bar minds. Aman founded CBD, a cocktail-forward destination, and co-founded 403 Forbidden Bar — two of the city's most talked-about drinking spaces. He brings a sharp palate and an operator's eye for what makes a drink work on a real menu.

↗ LinkedIn
Chandini DP
Chandini DP
Fifth-Generation Coffee Producer & Founder, LunyBee

A fifth-generation coffee estate owner, certified Q Grader, Q Processing Professional, and the first Indian judge at the World Coffee Championships. Chandini founded LunyBee, leads a private coffee processing research institute, and serves on the board of the Specialty Coffee Association of India.

↗ LinkedIn
Ajit Joshi
Ajit Joshi (AJ)
Specialty Coffee Consultant

10+ years in Melbourne's specialty coffee scene, now building café and roastery projects across India. Ajit offers end-to-end solutions — from menu building and barista training to franchise setups and roastery design. His clients range from acclaimed Indian roasters to ambitious café startups.

↗ LinkedIn
Where it Began

CxC 2025 — The First Edition

In 2025, we dared to ask: what happens when a barista and a bartender share a station? The answer was extraordinary. CxC was born from that question — and the inaugural edition proved India was ready.

🥇
CXC 2025 Winners
Champions 2025
↗ LinkedIn profiles
🥈
CXC 2025 Winners
Runner-Up 2025
↗ LinkedIn profiles
🥉
CXC 2025 Winners
Second Runner-Up 2025
↗ LinkedIn profiles

Moments from CxC 2025

Ajit Joshi
Ajit Joshi
Ajit Joshi
Ajit Joshi
Ajit Joshi
Ajit Joshi
Register FREE

Claim Your Spot.
It's Free.

Unlike other competitions — CxC has no registration fee. Enter individually. Get your Swa sample pack. Make something unforgettable.

  • Free Swa sample pack dispatched to your door
  • Submit as an individual — no partner needed at this stage
  • Top 10 bartenders and baristas per region qualify for the Regionals
  • Organisers will pair up the top 10 baristas and bartenders into teams of two
  • Open to professional baristas and bartenders across India
  • If selected, you will need to travel for the Regionals at your cost

Register for CxC 2026

Please fill the address correctly for timely sample dispatch.

Free to enter. Your sample pack will be shipped within 24 hours of registration. By registering you agree to the CxC 2026 Rules.

FAQ

Everything You Need to Know

Do I have to enter as a team?

No — you register and compete as an individual. Your role (barista or bartender) determines which half of the competition you're in for Stage 1. Teams are formed only at the Regionals, from the top qualifiers in each city. Qualify as one of the top 10 bartenders or baristas in your region, and you're in the Regionals — where you'll be paired with a partner.

Is there a registration fee?

No. CxC 2026 is completely free to enter. Unlike other competitions that charge a fee, we believe the only thing standing between you and recognition should be your craft.

How do I get my Swa sample pack?

Once you register, we'll ship a curated Swa Artisanal Syrups sample pack directly to your shipping address. Register early so you have more time to develop recipes. Packs are dispatched within 24 hours. You must use at least one Swa syrup in your Stage 1 submission.

What do I submit for Stage 1?

A video of your beverage preparation, along with a written recipe card. Your submission is judged on Storytelling & Concept, Flavour & Balance, Creativity & Innovation, Presentation & Garnish, Technique & Workflow, and Use of Swa Syrup. Submissions are due by 31 July 2026. You'll get access to the full submission portal once you register.

What are the Regionals?

The Regionals are live, in-person rounds held in Delhi (11 Aug), Bangalore (18 Aug), and Mumbai (25 Aug). The top 10 qualifying bartenders and top qualifying baristas from each region compete. Teams are formed on the day. The top 2 teams from each Regional will advance to the Grand Finale.

Who can enter?

Any working barista or bartender based in India. You must be 18 or older and currently employed in a café, restaurant, bar, or hotel. We welcome all experience levels — from rising stars to established names.

What are the prizes?

Total prize pool is over ₹1,50,000 distributed across the Regionals and Grand Finale. Full prize breakdown will be announced closer to the event. Every registered participant also receives a Swa sample pack, and all finalists receive industry recognition and features across Swa's trade network.

How do I contact the team?

Email us at nivedita.panda@drinkswa.com or shweta.thakur@drinkswa.com. You can also DM us on Instagram at @swa.artisanalsyrups.