Soul bartender shakes up Aberdeen’s top cocktail title
Kayleigh Forbes wins with a fresh, fruit-led spritz after days of public voting.
After twelve days of taste tests, chats at the bar, and a steady stream of public votes, Aberdeen Cocktail Week’s Cocktail of the Year has been named. The Strawbello Spritz, created by Kayleigh Forbes at Soul, came out on top. It’s a light, fruit-led mix that suits the season and finally clinched a win for a venue that’s been close more than once.
It’s part of a growing interest in spritzes—drinks that are easy to enjoy but still leave room for personality. Forbes leaned into that, adding sharper notes and her take on the trend. The result is something you could imagine sipping in the sun, but it holds its own in the middle of a busy weekend too.
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Team effort and inspiration
Forbes says the drink came together with a lot of help from her team. “I’d really like to thank my managers and fellow supervisors for inspiring my creation,” she said. Soul is now planning a whole menu of spritzes, with the Strawbello as the starting point.
She’s worked at the venue for four years, moving from bar staff to supervisor, and helping shape what ends up in the glass. The new menu feels like a chance to try something a bit different, not just for Soul, but for the regulars too.
With events like Offshore Europe and the return of the Tall Ships coming up, Forbes is hopeful the summer will bring more footfall to the city centre. “Being part of such a close-knit team has made my experience in hospitality not only very sociable but also extremely enjoyable,” she said.
The Strawbello Spritz in progress and finished at Soul. Light, fruit-forward, and crowned Cocktail of the Year 2025
Close competition and what’s next
Tom Rutherford at No.10 Bar & Restaurant came in second with his Peach Melba Float—a nostalgic, dessert-inspired option that made a strong impression.
Aberdeen Cocktail Week will be back from 9 to 19 October. If you’re the kind of person who likes seeing what local bars and bartenders come up with when they’ve got full creative freedom, it might be worth keeping an eye on.
