Julius Meinl
The Julius Meinl Barista Cup returns in 2026! Julius Meinl baristas are invited to showcase their skills on an international stage in 3 categories: Espresso, Cappuccino and Signature Drink.
From April to July 2026, national competitions will take place across 17 countries: Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, the UAE, the USA.
National champions will advance to the Grand Finale, hosted in Julius Meinl’s home city of Vienna on 4 September 2026.
JULIUS MEINL BARISTA CUP 2026
THE CATEGORIES
Espresso
In the Espresso category, competitors will be judged on both visual appeal and taste, aiming for the perfect extraction of Julius Meinl's Belvedere Blend.
1. Judges will examine the crema, the golden layer that crowns a top quality espresso.
2. Judges will evaluate the espresso's flavour profile, from its balance and complexity, to its richness and clarity.
Cappuccino
In the Cappuccino category, baristas will be judged on both the visual appeal of Latte Art and on the quality of the taste experience.
1. Judges will closely evaluate the key steps of the milk preparation process.
2. Judges will evaluate whether the cappuccino has a harmonious blend of espresso and milk.
3. Judges will assess the visual presentation of the cappuccino’s latte art, such as symmetry and clarity of the pattern.
Signature drink
In the Signature Drink category, baristas must craft a visually appealing and flavourful coffee or tea-based beverage that highlights their creativity and skill.
1. Judges will evaluate the presentaion of the drink for creatvity and visual appeal.
2. Judges will evaluate how well the taste components of the beverage fit together and complement each other in the total consumption experience.
THE PRIZE
At the Grand Finale, the barista with the highest overall score and the top-scoring barista in each category will be awarded a coveted spot on an exclusive trip to a coffee country of origin.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers a unique opportunity for the baristas to immerse themselves in coffee-growing communities and deepen their understanding of coffee cultivation.
The baristas will visit a coffee cooperative and coffee farms, gaining first-hand insight into the journey from bean to cup.
OUR SPONSORS
Designed and produced in Italy with almost a century of experience, Rancilio coffee machines are globally renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and quality. The Rancilio Specialty RS1 is the professional coffee machine that will be used by competitors in the regional and global competitions.
Fiorenzato has been designing and manufacturing high-performance professional grinders for over 80 years, delivering consistent, precise results time after time for state-of-the-art coffee. Competitors will use Fiorenzato’s professional grinders in the regional and global competitions.
DaVinci Gourmet joins as the official syrups partner, delivering smart beverage solutions for menu-defining flavour experiences. Developed for beverage professionals, DaVinci Gourmet syrups offer performance, balanced sweetness and premium flavour across hot, cold and signature drinks.
BWT is dedicated to water, which plays a crucial role in creating the perfect coffee and the protection of your coffee machine. BWT offers innovative solutions to raise the sensory quality of water for gastronomy. The competition will use the innovative BWT bestaqua ROC systems with unique reverse osmosis technology setting new standards in water optimisation.
You might also be interested in:
About us
Julius Meinl has been bringing customers premium coffee and tea since 1862, serving premium hot drinks. With over 150 years of experience and innovation behind us, we share our expertise and unique service culture with coffee houses, hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Coffee expertise
Premium coffee starts with tropical sun and volcanic soil in the coffee growing regions 23°N – 25°S of the equator. After harvesting, it’s transported for blending, roasting and packing. The journey involves many delicate stages which demand experience, skill and quality control.
Tea expertise
Premium tea is the culmination of all sorts of elements, from sunshine and soil, to picking, rolling, blending and much more.