Alessandro Todini from Three Sheets in London has been crowned the winner of a nationwide cocktail competition.

The competition, Flavour in Motion 2025, is a prestigious bartending contest hosted by premium soft drinks, tonics, sodas, and mixers brand, Franklin & Sons.

Alessandro was crowned as the winner and recipient of a £2,500 prize fund towards their career development, following a thrilling live final held on Tuesday 15th July at Equal Parts in Hackney, which saw all finalists create bespoke cocktails for a panel of judges.

Currently working at Three Sheets, recently ranked No.13 in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars, Alessandro’s winning cocktail, Strawberries & Cream, captivated judges with its balance, texture and storytelling – a bold reinterpretation of an Aperol Spritz, the very first cocktail Alessandro ever learned to make, elevated by years of experience and honed skill behind the bar.

Alessandro’s cocktail was inspired by his very first bartending job at a restaurant a decade ago. He fondly recalled how, being Italian, his colleagues jokingly assumed he must know how to make the perfect Aperol Spritz. Over the years, he’s explored countless cocktail techniques, from fat washing to purification, inspiring him to craft his own unique twist on the classic Aperol Spritz.

His cocktail added a distinctively British flair, drawing inspiration from the nation’s love of strawberries and cream during Wimbledon season. By pairing Aperol with Franklin & Sons Rhubarb Lemonade, he introduced a bright, refreshing element to the serve. To complete the drinking experience, the cocktail was accompanied by a strawberries and cream ice cream made from surplus ingredients – highlighting Alessandro’s commitment to sustainability and his passion for reducing waste behind the bar.

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Speaking after his win, Alessandro said: “Winning this means so much to me, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends and colleagues who’ve been with me since day one, helping me develop this idea, learn new techniques, and reminding me of how far I’ve come. It’s been a full-circle moment, going back to where my bartending journey began in a small restaurant in Covent Garden.

“This competition was special because I truly believe in Franklin & Sons. I’ve used their products for years and they’ve always been a staple in our fridges. I loved the originality of the concept, and how it allowed me to create a British twist on the classic Aperol Spritz – something people always assumed I could make when I first started my career just because I’m Italian!

“The idea was to make the Aperol more recognizable and refreshing by pairing it with Franklin & Sons Rhubarb Lemonade, and to bring in that Wimbledon-inspired strawberries and cream flavour. Sustainability is really important to me, and I loved being able to turn leftover ingredients into a delicious ice cream. It took some time to get it right, but finding a way to reduce food waste while still creating something fun and memorable felt incredibly rewarding.”

Now in its second year, Flavour in Motion challenges bartenders across the UK by challenging them to revisit the first cocktail they ever mastered, but through a modern, personal lens. The competition drew over 40 entries from across the country, narrowing down to ten finalists through four regional heats in June.

The competition continues to champion bartenders across the UK, celebrating the art of cocktail-making and the stories behind every serve.

Elyse Von Ruinn, bartender and winner of the 2024 competition, returned to judge this year’s final. “Judging this year was such a humbling experience,” says Elyse. “Last year I was competing, so to come back and see how much everyone has grown, and the calibre of talent on display, was incredible.

“This competition isn’t just about cocktails, it’s about people, their journeys, and how far they’ve come. Watching the finalists step it up and own their stories was so affirming, not just for them, but for me too as a bartender. What sets Franklin & Sons apart is how much they genuinely invest in us as individuals. It’s not just about what we can do but about celebrating who we are and where we’re going. In an industry where we often move from bar to bar, it’s our personal journeys that ground us – and this competition puts that front and centre.”

Pete Thornton, Senior Brand Manager at Franklin & Sons added: “This year’s Flavour in Motion has been an incredible journey from start to finish. We’ve seen such a strong calibre of entries from across the country, and the final brought together some of the most exciting bartending talents in the UK. At Franklin & Sons, we’re proud to support the people who bring creativity, energy, and passion to the heart of hospitality every day. Competitions like this are our way of celebrating their stories and giving something back to the community.

“Alessandro’s cocktail was a perfect example of what this competition is about. By reimagining a classic Aperol Spritz using our Franklin & Sons Rhubarb Lemonade in such a thoughtful and inventive way, he created something that was refreshing and exciting. It was technically clever, beautifully balanced, and packed full of personality, which captivated us from the first sip.”