Don Julio partners with Bar Leone for 2026 Oscars cocktails
Tequila Don Julio has called on Bar Leone to help create the signature cocktails being served to the stars at the Oscars Governors Ball party this month (15 March).
The Diageo-owned Tequila has once again partnered with the Governors Ball, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ official party.
The party immediately follows the Oscars ceremony, the 98th edition of which will take place on Sunday 15 March in Los Angeles.
Dun Julio curates a lineup of cocktails for attendees with mixologist Charles Joly and a special guest bar.
Last year, Joly worked with the team at Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City. This year, the team at Hong Kong’s Bar Leone, which toppled Handshake for top spot in the 2025 World’s Best Bar’s list, will be creating the cocktails.
Bar Leone co-founder Lorenzo Antinori said: “Bringing Bar Leone from Hong Kong to Los Angeles for Hollywood’s biggest night is a real honour for us.
“Working with Charles on these cocktails was a great creative exchange where we took inspiration from the flavours of Mexico and translated them into drinks that feel perfect for this moment. Tequila Don Julio is made for celebrations like this, and we’re proud to be part of such an iconic event with global recognition.”
Bar Leone, known for its ‘cocktail populari‘ ethos, opened its Hong Kong site in 2023. A second venue in Shanghai followed last year.
Alongside claiming the World’s Best Bar 2025 title, it was also named Best International Cocktail Bar at the 19th annual Spirited Awards. Meanwhile, Antinori picked up an individual honour as International Bartender of the Year.
Antinori and Joly’s prep is said to include ‘enough espresso beans to fill a hot tub’ and ‘enough cucumbers to stretch the length of the Santa Monica Pier’.
“The Governors Ball is where every detail matters,” Joly said. “Having crafted cocktails for this exact moment over the years, I know how important each and every element is. Collaborating with Lorenzo and Bar Leone was an exciting journey that introduced new perspectives that helped to further innovate the Tequila Don Julio bar experience for our best year yet.”
Earlier this week, Don Julio also revealed its limited edition 1942 bottle for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
While the Governors Ball is invite-only, the brand has shared the signature cocktails below so you can drink like the nominees at your own viewing party.
Best in Show
By Bar Leone
Ingredients
- 30ml Tequila Don Julio Blanco
- 15ml Italian aperitif
- 10ml Dry vermouth
- Dash of elderflower liqueur
- 15ml Cucumber syrup
- 20ml Fresh lime juice
- 45ml Sparkling water
- Long lucumber slice and Mexican salt for garnish
Preparation: Add tall ice to a Highball glass and all ingredients. Stir gently to incorporate.
Golden Cut Margarita
By Bar Leone
Ingredients
- 3oml Tequila Don Julio Reposado
- Dash of gin
- 7.5ml Fresh lime juice
- 15ml Simple syrup
- 2 Dashes Grapefruit bitters
- Toasted baby corn for garnish
Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to incorporate and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with toasted baby corn.
Maestro Martini
By Charles Joly
Ingredients
- 35ml Tequila Don Julio 70 Cristalino Añejo
- 20ml Bianco vermouth
- 3.5ml Banana liqueur
- 7 Drops salt water
- Clove orange peel for garnish
Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a clove orange peel.
The Sequel
By Charles Joly
Ingredients
- 45ml Tequila Don Julio 1942
- 45ml Oaxacan cold brew
- 10ml Piloncillo cinnamon cacao syrup
- 5 Drops salt water
- 3 Dashes vanilla bitters
Preparation: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass with gold vanilla edible paint streaked along the side.
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