Aperol Spritz Just Took Gold at the NZ Spirit Awards 2026

Canyon Brewing's Aperol Spritz, made in partnership with Campari NZ, has won Gold in the Classic/Established Cocktail category at the 2026 New Zealand Spirit Awards. Canyon's Espolón Margarita, also a Campari NZ collaboration, took home Silver in the same category. Both cocktails are part of Canyon's on-tap cocktail programme and are pouring now at Canyon Brewing in Arthurs Point, Queenstown.

We don't do things by halves at Canyon. So when we say our Aperol Spritz just walked away with Gold at the New Zealand Spirit Awards 2026, we mean it went up against the country's best takes on the classics and earned top marks from the judges. And it didn't come home alone. Our Espolòn Margarita picked up Silver in the same lineup, which means two rounds from the Canyon cocktail menu, two medals, one very good night.

The Wrap-Up

New Zealand Spirit Awards 2026
Category: Classic/Established Cocktail
🥇 Aperol Spritz on Tap (Canyon Brewing x Campari NZ)
🥈 Espolòn Margarita on Tap (Canyon Brewing x Campari NZ)

What the NZ Spirit Awards Actually Are

The New Zealand Spirit Awards are presented annually by Spirits New Zealand and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa, and they're the closest thing this country has to a national report card on what's good behind the bar. In 2026 the Awards drew 430 entries across categories spanning whisky, gin, vodka, rum, liqueurs, aperitifs, and pre-batched cocktails, judged blind by panels of industry professionals from hospitality, distilling, and retail, with medals awarded at Bronze, Silver, and Gold.

The Classic/Established Cocktail category, part of the Pre-Batched division, is a proper gauntlet: it's reserved for the cocktails everyone already knows and already has an opinion on, think Espresso Martini, Margarita, and of course, Aperol Spritz. You're being judged against the version people already love, which makes standing out here mean something.

Why This One Matters

Any brewery can pour a beer. Not every brewery can pull off a genuinely excellent Aperol Spritz on tap consistently at scale. That's the bit we're proud of. Nailing a Classic cocktail category isn't about reinventing the wheel, it's about respecting the original and executing it well enough that a room of industry judges rates it alongside the country's best bars and producers. Judges aren't looking for a twist, they're looking for the real thing done right, and that's exactly the brief our team set out to hit.

The Campari NZ Partnership

None of this happens without our mates at Campari NZ. Canyon's Cocktails On Tap programme is a genuine collaboration, not a badge slapped on someone else's spirit. The lineup currently pouring at Canyon includes Aperol Spritz, Espolòn Margarita and SKYY Nitro Espresso Martini.

All on tap, all built around genuine spirit brands rather than syrups and shortcuts. It's a partnership that lets us bring proper bar-quality cocktails nationwide without the wait, and clearly the judges reckon we've cracked it.

What's Next

The Gold and Silver aren't the finish line, they're proof the programme works. We're currently working on five new cocktails for the portfolio, with the first launching next month.

So, whether you're après-skiing or just after a decent Spritz with a view, Canyon's cocktail range will be ready for any season or occasion.

Come try the medal-winners for yourself at Canyon Taproom.

FAQ

What award did Canyon Brewing win in 2026?
Canyon Brewing won Gold in the Classic/Established Cocktail category at the New Zealand Spirit Awards 2026 for its Aperol Spritz.

Did any other Canyon cocktail place?
Yes. Canyon's Espolòn Margarita won Silver in the same category.

Who does Canyon Brewing partner with for its cocktails?
Canyon Brewing's on-tap cocktail range is produced in partnership with Campari NZ, featuring spirits including Aperol, Espolòn and SKYY Vodka. 

Where can I try the award-winning Aperol Spritz?
At Canyon Taproom, or select bars across New Zealand.