Three Sheets bartender wins Franklin & Sons contest
Mixer brand Franklin & Sons has named the winner of its 2025 Flavour in Motion cocktail competition: Alessandro Todini from Three Sheets in London.
Todini was awarded a £2,500 (US$3,371) prize fund to be used towards his career development.
This year’s runners-up were Scott Stevenson from Ga Ga Kitchen & Bar in Glasgow and Meg de Bell from Below Stairs in Leeds, who received £500 (US$674) and £250 (US$337) respectively.
The final was held on 15 July at Equal Parts bar in Hackney, London. Ten finalists were called on to create a signature cocktail based on the first drink they ever made.
Todini’s winning cocktail, Strawberries & Cream, was a riff on an Aperol Spritz, which paired with the Italian bitter with Franklin & Sons Rhubarb Lemonade. The serve was inspired by Britain’s love of strawberries and cream during Wimbledon season, with the drink topped with a strawberry and cream ice cream made from surplus ingredients.
He 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 recognisable 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.”
Last year was Flavour in Motion’s first edition, which was won by Elyse Von Ruinn from Charlie Brown’s in Glasgow.
Von Ruinn returned to judge this year’s final. “Judging this year was such a humbling experience,” they said. “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.”
Franklin & Sons’ drinks were first introduced in 1886, and today the brand has an extensive product range, including tonic waters, flavoured tonic waters, soft drinks and sodas. It is part of the Global Brands portfolio.
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.”
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