Following 12 packed days of competition, dozens of exclusive cocktail creations, and hundreds of public votes, the Strawbello Spritz by Kayleigh Forbes of Soul has been crowned Cocktail of the Year 2025 at the spring edition of Aberdeen Cocktail Week.
The refreshing, fruit-forward spritz captured the spirit of the season and delivered Soul's first ever victory in the competition, after the venue reaching the finals in previous years.
"This is the third time Soul has been a finalist, so I'm absolutely delighted to have finally won it for the venue," said Kayleigh Forbes. "I'd really like to thank my managers and fellow supervisors for inspiring my creation and the whole team for helping bring it to life, from the bar staff consistently serving it to the highest standard to the floor staff who promoted it throughout the week."
Forbes drew inspiration from one of the industry's most popular modern trends but added her own distinctive touch. Her goal was to create something light, vibrant, and appealing to a broad audience, while maintaining complexity and offering something unique to Aberdeen's cocktail scene.
Following the victory, Soul plans to launch a dedicated Spritz Menu, with the award-winning Strawbello Spritz as the centrepiece. "We're excited to be creating a full Soul Spritz menu very soon," Forbes confirmed.
Rising through the ranks
Forbes has worked at Soul for four years, progressing through the ranks to become a supervisor and integral part of the bar's creative development.
"Being part of such a close-knit team has made my experience in hospitality not only very sociable but also extremely enjoyable. It's been a great place to grow and learn," she said.
Her enthusiasm for the industry extends to Aberdeen's broader hospitality landscape. With major events including Tall Ships, Offshore Europe, and the autumn return of Aberdeen Cocktail Week on the horizon, Forbes sees an exciting period ahead for the city centre.
"It's great to see so many exciting events in the city. It will provide a huge boost to what's already a vibrant hospitality scene."
Strong competition
The Peach Melba Float by Tom Rutherford at No.10 Bar & Restaurant claimed second place in the closely contested competition. The nostalgic, dessert-inspired cocktail proved popular with voters and received praise for its creativity and execution.
Aberdeen Cocktail Week returns in autumn between October 9th and 19th with another programme of exclusive experiences, events, and must-try creations.
Join the waitlist to be notified when discounted early bird tickets go on sale