This year, the 2025 Cointreau Margarita Challenge Australian Final crowned a passionate new champion: Vincenzo Sidari from Sydney’s iconic, Maybe Sammy. With a story deeply rooted in passion, sustainability, and authentic Sicilian heritage, Vincenzo captivated judges and guests alike. Now preparing to represent Australia in the global finals in Angers, France, we share his inspiring journey and discover the Margarita that earned him his place on the world stage.
Meet Australia’s 2025 Cointreau Margarita Champion
A Journey Inspired by Passion
A Journey Inspired by Passion
Eight years ago, Vincenzo’s life changed during his first visit to Australia. Enchanted by Sydney’s vibrant hospitality scene, particularly an evening spent near the iconic Opera House, Vincenzo returned home to Sicily, deeply moved by his Australian experiences.
Determined to explore this newfound passion, he enrolled in bartending school and committed himself to mastering his craft. “For three years, my mentor wasn’t just a teacher,” Vincenzo reflects, “he was also my friend and colleague.” This period established the foundations of a career dedicated to hospitality excellence.
Since then, Vincenzo’s bartending journey has been impressively diverse, taking him across Sicily, Fremantle, and eventually back to Australia. Working at prestigious venues such as QT Hotel, Dean & Nancy, and now Maybe Sammy, he’s expanded beyond cocktails, exploring floor service and distillery operations. His personal philosophy about hospitality has also evolved: initially focused purely on technical excellence, he now views bartending as deeply emotional, prioritising genuine human connection.
Why Cointreau Makes the Perfect Margarita
Why Cointreau Makes the Perfect Margarita
Vincenzo first encountered Cointreau at bartending school, immediately recognising its importance. "We learned Margaritas the authentic way," Vincenzo recalls. "Cointreau was key—no substitutions."
For Vincenzo, what sets Cointreau apart are the distinct bittersweet orange flavours and its velvety texture. This makes Cointreau uniquely indispensable in creating a truly memorable Margarita—one that stays true to the original, celebrated recipe.
Thus, when Vincenzo decided to enter the 2025 Cointreau Margarita Challenge, it felt like a natural progression. The competition’s theme, “From Leaf to Fruit,” resonated deeply with his Sicilian background and personal values around sustainability.
Sustainability with Soul: The Winning Cointreau Margarita
Sustainability with Soul: The Winning Cointreau Margarita
For Vincenzo, sustainability isn’t merely a buzzword—it’s a way of life. Growing up in Sicily, renowned for its lush citrus groves, he learned the importance of resourcefulness and respect for ingredients from an early age.
His winning Margarita embodied this philosophy. Vincenzo meticulously deconstructed lemons—juice, zest, leaves, even seeds—to create a zero-waste cocktail masterpiece. One particularly creative innovation was using lemon seeds, which are naturally rich in pectin, to thicken a homemade marmalade garnish.
Adding another sensory layer, Vincenzo crafted a distinctive aromatic infusion called “Eau de Cointreau,” steeping lemon leaves and essential oils in Cointreau for 48 hours. This thoughtful touch created a Margarita that didn’t just satisfy the judges—it truly connected with them.
The Circle of Lemon – Sustainability Meets Margarita Mastery
Inspired by a passion for sustainability, Vincenzo Sidari created "The Circle of Lemon," is an inventive Margarita celebrating the full life cycle of a single ingredient—the lemon. Drawing from sustainability practices, this innovative cocktail ensures every part of the lemon is thoughtfully used, eliminating waste while maximising flavour.
At the heart of this cocktail is Cointreau, whose vibrant bittersweet orange character perfectly complements the fresh, tart lemon juice. The innovation continues with ingredients crafted from often-overlooked parts: a citrusy lemon husk cordial, a rich marmalade made from leftover pulp and seeds, and tequila delicately infused with fresh lemon leaves for herbal complexity. Finished with an aromatic "Eau de Cointreau" mist and a crunchy lemon yoghurt crisp garnish, Vincenzo’s Margarita is an exciting sensory journey—sustainable, delicious, and beautifully balanced.
It’s a Margarita experience like no other, perfectly balanced, sustainable, and bursting with vibrant citrus aromas and the iconic bittersweet orange flavour of Cointreau. From the scent to the garnish, every element was crafted with intention, turning this Margarita into more than just a cocktail—it’s a complete citrus experience.
The Circle of Lemon – What’s Inside
This Margarita starts with a lemon saline solution to enhance balance and brightness. The leftover lemon husks are used to make a tangy house-made cordial, while the pulp and seeds are simmered into a rich lemon marmalade—the seeds add natural pectin for a perfect texture. Fresh lemon leaves are gently infused into the tequila for subtle herbal notes, and the garnish? A crisp made from Greek yoghurt and lemon juice, topped with zest and a dot of that same marmalade. To finish, a fine mist of Eau de Cointreau—a citrusy aromatic spray made by steeping lemon peels and leaves in Cointreau—gives every sip a burst of fresh orange and lemon aroma. It’s a Margarita that’s zesty, layered, and unforgettable.
Composure Under Pressure
During the final, a brief lapse saw Vincenzo pour tequila twice. “Catching and correcting that mistake was a proud moment,” he says. “Winning became secondary—overcoming the challenge was the real victory.”
This composure highlights his professionalism, vital for the global stage.
“Detach yourself from needing to win or to create the ‘perfect recipe.’ Instead, tell your personal story, focus on flavours you love, and enjoy the journey. Great Margaritas are about connection, not perfection.” Vincenzo Sidari
Heading to France: A Personal and Professional Milestone
During the final, a brief lapse saw Vincenzo pour tequila twice. “Catching and correcting that mistake was a proud moment,” he says. “Winning became secondary—overcoming the challenge was the real victory.”
This composure highlights his professionalism, vital for the global stage.
Ultimately, Vincenzo’s Margarita represents much more than a cocktail—it’s the culmination of a life dedicated to hospitality, authenticity, and passion.
Why Cointreau Makes the Perfect Margarita
When it comes to crafting Margaritas—or indeed any exceptional cocktail—bartenders around the world consistently choose Cointreau. Renowned for its perfectly balanced bittersweet orange flavour, Cointreau delivers a unique and sophisticated taste experience unlike any other orange liqueur. Its clarity, smooth texture, and vibrant aromatic profile set it apart, making it an essential ingredient for creating authentically delicious cocktails.
Indeed, Cointreau’s distinctive aromas and balanced citrus notes don’t just elevate the Margarita—they transform it, unlocking deeper layers of flavour. It’s this versatility and unmatched quality that have earned Cointreau its iconic status behind the bar. Featured in more than 400 classic cocktails—from Margaritas and Cosmopolitans to Sidecars and White Ladies—Cointreau's presence is considered the hallmark of a premium-quality establishment. Bartenders even say that the surest sign of a truly exceptional bar is spotting Cointreau proudly displayed in their back bar.
When you craft your next Margarita at home, choosing Cointreau ensures you're experiencing the cocktail exactly as it was meant to be enjoyed—deliciously authentic, irresistibly smooth, and unforgettable.
Ready to create your own Margarita masterpiece?
Inspired to craft your own unforgettable Margarita? Explore our irresistible collection of Margarita recipes featuring the unmatched flavours of Cointreau, and discover why it’s the heart of every truly great Margarita.
