Bartender from Britannia Bar wins Norwegian cocktail competition 

May-Helene Sollie, Senior Bartender at Britannia Bar at Britannia Hotel in Trondheim, took first place in the national cocktail competition, Mixed to Perfection. Combining local ingredients from Trøndelag with Norwegian aquavit and exceptional craftsmanship, she impressed the judges and claimed the top prize in her very first bartending competition.

Bartenders from across Norway gathered for Mixed to Perfection, where they were challenged to give a classic cocktail a distinctly Norwegian identity. At least one ingredient or flavour had to have a connection to the bartender’s hometown.

For May-Helene Sollie, the flavours of Trøndelag were a natural choice.

Each participant presented two versions of their cocktail: one created for professional bar service and a more accessible version designed to be easily recreated at home. Sollie impressed the jury with her consistent focus on quality ingredients and precise technique across both serves.

Her winning cocktail, the Caraway Club, combines Gammel Opland Aquavit with the fresh flavours of strawberry and rhubarb, complemented by yoghurt whey from Trøndelag. The result is a contemporary aquavit cocktail with unmistakable local roots, and an expression that reflects the philosophy behind the cocktails at Britannia Bar.

“This was my very first cocktail competition, so I never imagined I would come out on top. I love challenging people who say they don’t like aquavit, because I know it’s possible to create an aquavit cocktail that genuinely surprises them. It has been incredibly rewarding to develop this drink using Gammel Opland and ingredients from Trøndelag,” says May-Helene Sollie.

This victory is the latest in a series of awards and international accolades for Britannia Bar and its team.

Britannia Bar has received several honours at the Bartenders’ Choice Awards in Stockholm, been included in 50 Best Discovery and ranked No. 245 worldwide by Top 500 Bars. May-Helene Sollie’s victory further reflects the level of ambition and craftsmanship that defines the hotel’s bar programme.

“We are incredibly proud of May-Helene. This victory is another testament to the standards we strive for and to our continued ambition to explore Norwegian ingredients and flavours in new ways,” says Øyvind Lindgjerdet, Executive Bar Manager at Britannia Hotel.

Local produce from Trøndelag was not only the inspiration behind May-Helene’s competition entry; it is also an integral part of Britannia Bar’s identity.

The bar team has a strong focus on Norwegian flavours, seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce. Combined with classic techniques and international influences, this gives the cocktail menu a distinctive character, with Trondheim and Trøndelag woven naturally into the story of each drink.

That same sense of curiosity defines the approach behind the bar: a respect for traditional craftsmanship, paired with a desire to explore new flavours, techniques and expressions.

Britannia Bar is located within Britannia Hotel, Trondheim’s historic five-star hotel in the heart of the city. With a history dating back to 1870, the hotel’s rich heritage is reflected in the bar’s timeless and sophisticated setting, welcoming both hotel guests and locals alike.

Here, classic cocktail culture meets contemporary bartending, Norwegian ingredients and international influences. The result is a distinctive bar experience, firmly rooted in Trondheim yet with an outlook that reaches far beyond Norway.