Kristin Christie from The Gresham in Brisbane has been crowned the winner of the Speed Rack Australia 2025 competition.

Presented by William Grant & Sons Australia at The Oxford Art Factory in Sydney, the venue was host to fierce, high-energy bartending battles showcasing the finalists’ talents.

The Australian hospitality industry was also on hand to support the competitors and support charity partner Tour de Cure, with over $15,000 raised this year alone for breast cancer research.

The globally renowned women+ bartending competition was launched in New York in 2011 by industry icons Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero. The duo created the program to celebrate and elevate women and femme-identifying bartenders in an
industry that has been long dominated by men.

“It was uplifting to see Ivy and Lynnette’s passion for Speed Rack, talented bartenders, and nurturing those in the industry,”
said Jonathan Sully, Head of Marketing at William Grant & Sons Australia.

“Congratulations to Kristin the skill and confidence shown on stage was impressive.”

Finalists from across Australia included Anneliese Grazioli (NT), Bridget Love (WA), Cat Cheeseman (TAS), Flick Eshman (NSW), Kaila Perruzza (WA), Lex Karyee Mak (SA), Kayla Reid (VIC), Mix Marseilles (SA), Sara Behunin (NSW), Tk Hewett (QLD), Kristin Christie (QLD) and Trinity Bird (VIC). All rose to the challenge to make classic cocktails using brands including Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Sailor Jerry Rum, Hendrick’s Gin, Glenfiddich Whisky, Reyka Vodka, Milagro Tequila and De Kuyper Liqueurs.