Argentina has officially secured a historic milestone on the global bartending map, after a Buenos Aires-based mixologist achieved the highest ranking the country has ever seen in one of the most demanding and prestigious cocktail competitions in the world.
The achievement took place during the annual World Class competition, a grueling global event that has tested the mettle of elite bartenders for 17 years. Over the nearly two decades of the competition’s existence, Argentina has frequently secured representation at the global finals. National-level champions, such as Francisco Vaccalluzzo from The Green Light bar in Córdoba and Martín Tummino, formerly of The Harrison Speakeasy in Buenos Aires, have traveled abroad in past years to represent their home country against contenders hailing from approximately 60 different nations.
However, this year’s competition marked a dramatic breakthrough for the South American country, courtesy of Guillermina Usqueda. Not only did Usqueda shatter previous national ceilings by finishing among the global top 12—marking the first time an Argentine bartender has advanced this far in the competition—she also made history as the first woman to ever represent Argentina on the global World Class stage.
Stepping up to perform under the unforgiving scrutiny of eagle-eyed judges requires a rare breed of composure and nerves of steel. The panel evaluating the competitors is composed of some of the finest mixologists and most celebrated bar trailblazers in the industry. Fortunately, Usqueda’s diverse and extensive career background had thoroughly prepared her for the immense pressure of the mission. Over the course of her professional journey, the beverages director has worked across a remarkably wide variety of demanding environments. Her resume spans everything from shaking and stirring drinks on cruise ships to crafting cocktails in remote Patagonian hotels, leading up to her current role at the recently opened Mansión Mihura, located within the Recoleta Grand in Buenos Aires.
That rich tapestry of professional experience, combined with meticulous groundwork that commenced right as the local Argentine competition kicked off, laid the essential groundwork for Usqueda’s near-flawless performance on the international stage.
Reflecting on the rigorous path that led her to the global finals, Usqueda emphasizes the stabilizing power of deep preparation. Even for a bartender who already possesses exceptional technical skills, she notes that comprehensive preparation is what ultimately provides the foundation required to act with sound judgment and steady confidence when the stakes are at their highest. When that internal confidence and preparation successfully translate onto a live stage, she explains, it makes a massive, undeniable difference in the final product.
Practice Makes Perfect
Securing the national title in Argentina was no simple feat; it demanded countless hours of intense dedication directed toward perfecting her craft. In the lead-up to the local competition, Usqueda practiced the notoriously demanding Speed Round challenge dozens of times to ensure every movement was second nature. After capturing the local victory in June, she suddenly found herself with a critical five-month window leading up to the global competition to deeply focus on fine-tuning every single element of her presentation.
She initiated this intensive phase by methodically tasting each of her cocktails, carefully adjusting their flavors and structural balance, and actively seeking out critical feedback from seasoned industry professionals. Her primary objective during this developmental period was to ensure absolute coherence across the board. She wanted to guarantee that every single concept embedded within her presentations flowed logically and artistically.
Beyond achieving absolute precision inside the glass, thorough, holistic planning formed an equally critical pillar of her overarching game plan. Little was left to chance as she mapped out the finer details of her showcase. Describing her hands-on approach to the presentation design, Usqueda notes that she poured her heart and soul into every conceivable detail. She personally designed custom labels, animations, a bespoke holographic box, and a multitude of other visual and tactile elements, paying meticulous attention to every single facet of the experience to ensure her presentation stood out.
Last week, Usqueda traveled to Scotland accompanied by Martín Mondragon, the Diageo brand ambassador who coordinates the annual Argentina competition and works closely with national contenders to support them through the grueling process. In Edinburgh, Usqueda stood among 49 elite bartenders from around the world who gathered to prep, stir, shake, and mix under intense pressure over the course of two days.
Reaching the final 12 in such an intensely competitive environment stands as a monumental milestone, cementing her place in history as the first Argentine to ever break through to that tier of the competition. Yet, despite describing herself as the very opposite of a shy or withdrawn person, Usqueda admits with the clarity of hindsight that the single biggest challenge she had to overcome during her time in Scotland was maintaining her own self-confidence.
Navigating an environment that brings together top-tier competitors from every corner of the globe makes it surprisingly easy to fall into the psychological trap of believing you are somehow "less" than others, she reflects. Fortunately, she notes that she was surrounded by an incredible support system of colleagues and mentors who taught her to firmly believe in the rigorous work she has dedicated herself to over years of professional practice—a backing for which she expresses deep and lasting gratitude.
A Stellar Season for the Argentine Bar Scene
Usqueda’s historic achievement arrives during a remarkably strong and celebratory period for the broader Argentine cocktail industry. Earlier in October, the Buenos Aires bar landscape earned prominent international recognition when Tres Monos and its sister establishment, Victor Audio Bar, both scored impressively in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 awards, securing the 21st and 31st positions respectively.
For Victor Audio Bar, the placement marked an exciting debut on the prestigious list. Offering a refreshingly sophisticated and acoustic-driven contrast to the high-energy, elevated party vibes of its neighbor Tres Monos, the new venue proved that the local scene possesses incredible range. A third Palermo-based establishment, CónChinChina, led by renowned industry figure Inés De Los Santos, also made a strong showing by landing at number 56 in the extended 51-to-100 ranking list, marking the bar’s fifth consecutive year of recognition in the global field.
The international momentum continued to ripple outward later in the week, extending far beyond the borders of Edinburgh to the vibrant cocktail culture of Southeast Asia. In Bangkok, a renowned cocktail bar with a distinctly Argentine touch captured the ninth spot in Thailand’s 20 Best Bars 2026. Industry observers on the ground in the Thai capital witnessed La Pampa transplant Delfina Figueroa and her talented team at Vesper step up to collect their award at the inclusive, voter-led ceremony, an event celebrated for looking beyond the bustling center of Bangkok to encompass exceptional bars operating across the country’s islands.
Although Figueroa has been serving in the role of acting manager for just a few short months, her steady leadership is already yielding remarkable success and recognition. With leaders like Figueroa and Usqueda leaving deep, positive impressions on international palates, the global cocktail community continues to witness the lasting, profound impact that Argentine women are making on the world stage.
