The Drink Lab
Puerto Rican bartenders and mixologists posed together in a dark studio around a table set with cocktail glasses, a shaker and fresh garnish.

The Drink Lab

Puerto Rico's education and competition program for people who build drinks for a living.

Call me if you can Open the bench
Presented by B. Fernández & Hnos.
7spirits on the bench
6categories to master
2divisions: New Wave & Masters
1Grand Final, live on stage
Protocol

Learn it. Unlock it. Prove it.

Most competitions test what you already know. The Drink Lab teaches first. Every module you finish unlocks a spirit, and you can only compete in a heat once you've unlocked the spirits it uses.

Step 1

Learn

Hands-on masterclasses led by brand ambassadors and working bartenders, plus three-minute modules on WhatsApp you can finish between shifts.

Step 2

Unlock

Pass a module's short quiz and that spirit goes live on your Lab credential. Unlock four and your bar can apply to become a Lab Certified venue.

Step 3

Compete

Three live heats, each built around a family of spirits. The best of each division move to the semifinal, then the Grand Final.

The Bench

Seven spirits. Pick one and build.

Every spirit on the bench has a spec sheet, a reference build and a module behind it. Pick a spirit to see its sheet, and switch between ml and oz.

Specimen 01

Absolut

Category
Origin
Profile
Teaches
Reference build ·

    The lineup

    Seven bottles. One bench.

    • Absolut bottleAbsolutVodka
    • Jameson bottleJamesonIrish whiskey
    • Espolòn bottleEspolònTequila
    • Wild Turkey bottleWild TurkeyBourbon
    • El Recuerdo bottleEl RecuerdoMezcal
    • Williams & Humbert bottleWilliams & HumbertSherry
    • San Juan Artisan bottleSan Juan ArtisanRum
    The season

    Two divisions. One season.

    New talent and established names never compete head to head. Each division has its own judges, its own prizes and its own place in the Grand Final.

    Who can enter
    Mentoring
    Heat prize
    Grand prize
    Calendar
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Open callApplications and entry quiz
    The LabMasterclasses and modules
    Heat 1Clear spirits
    Heat 2Barrel
    Heat 3Agave & cane
    SemifinalTop 12
    Grand FinalTop 6
    How judges score
    For bars, restaurants & hotels

    Make your bar a Lab.

    We train your whole team behind your own bar in 45-minute sessions. Once your staff has unlocked four spirits, your venue earns Lab Certified status.

    • On-site training for your staff, run by brand ambassadors
    • A "Reaction of the Month" drink card for your menu
    • Priority to host public Lab Nights and live heats
    • Window decal and listing on the Lab venue map
    Call me about my bar
    Certified venue
    LAB
    CERTI­FIED

    Staff trained on 4+ spirits of the bench.

    Questions

    Before you call

    Does it cost anything to join?

    No. Applications, masterclasses and modules are free for working bartenders and mixologists in Puerto Rico.

    Which division should I enter?

    New Wave is for bartenders with under three years behind the bar or no competition podiums. Everyone else enters Masters.

    Do I need to finish every module to compete?

    No. You need the modules for the spirits used in the heat you want to enter. To reach the semifinal, you need at least five of the seven.

    Is anything tied to how much my bar buys?

    No. Scores and prizes are based only on your performance in the modules and the heats.

    How old do I need to be?

    You must be 18 or older and legally working in Puerto Rico's hospitality industry.

    Last call for bartenders

    Call me
    if you can

    Scribble your number on the napkin and slide it across the bar. One of our ambassadors will call you back before the ice melts.

    • No cover letter
    • No résumé
    • Just your best drink story

    Hey, you behind the bar…

    Best time to call
    I'm a

    Concept prototype: napkins on this page don't go anywhere yet.