Cleveland Espresso Martini Festival 2026 winners announced

Encore and 1928 Public House take top honors at inaugural event

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The inaugural Cleveland Espresso Martini Festival featured 11 bars competing before 400 guests, with 1928 Public House taking the people's choice award and Encore earning the Judge's Choice award for their unique take on the classic espresso martini.

Why it matters

The espresso martini has become a popular cocktail trend, and this festival highlights the creativity and skill of local bartenders in crafting unique versions of the drink. The event also raised funds for a local non-profit organization, showcasing the community-minded spirit of Cleveland's hospitality industry.

The details

Encore's winning espresso martini was inspired by the traditional Mexican Carajillo cocktail, featuring real espresso, Licor 43, agave, and either reposado tequila or vodka, topped with oat-milk cordial cold foam, micro-planed espresso beans, and sea salt. Other entries featured creative variations like chai infusions, raspberry syrup, strawberry foam, and pistachio. The judges and public both recognized Encore and 1928 Public House as the top contenders.

  • The inaugural Cleveland Espresso Martini Festival took place on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • The Cleveland Coffee Festival, featuring a latte art competition, is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Anthony D'Agostino

General manager at Encore, the cocktail bar that opened in October at Playhouse Square and won the Judge's Choice award at the festival.

Marion Siperstein

Mixologist at Encore who helped create the award-winning espresso martini recipe.

1928 Public House

A Middleburg Heights bar that won the People's Choice award at the festival.

Gus Shimrak

The coordinator of the Cleveland Espresso Martini Festival and the upcoming Cleveland Coffee Festival.

Clark Pope

Owner of Pope's Kitchen and Pope's Cocktails, who debuted a new Espresso Martini Syrup at the festival.

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What they’re saying

“We had been making this before Encore even opened, working in Anthony's kitchen for hours. Between the foam and cocktail we had to have made this at least 30 times before we were happy with it. It was immediately clear when it came together that was the one.”

— Marion Siperstein, Mixologist at Encore (cleveland.com)

“The pattern with the top four was that they were takes on the classic version. They were pretty much straight up classic.”

— Gus Shimrak, Coordinator of the Cleveland Espresso Martini Festival (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Cleveland Coffee Festival, featuring a latte art competition, is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The success of the inaugural Cleveland Espresso Martini Festival demonstrates the growing popularity of creative cocktail culture in the city, as local bartenders showcase their skills in crafting unique twists on classic drinks while also supporting community causes.