Christina Mercado, Winner of Altos Tahona Society Competition 2025
When Small Ideas Spark Big Revolutions! Christina is a talented mixologist, pastry chef, and rising entrepreneur in the United States. She just won the Altos Tahona Society Competition 2025 with a groundbreaking idea: C-Sweet, a natural alternative to sugar that’s ready to transform the way bartenders, mixologists, and cocktail lovers craft and enjoy their drinks.
This year, the competition took place in Guadalajara from September 8 to 11, bringing together 11 finalists from 9 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Colombia, Canada, the U.K., Mexico, and Italy. Each project focused on the well-being of the hospitality industry, and the winner earned the opportunity to receive $50,000 USD to create positive change within the hospitality sector and beyond. For the first time in the competition’s history, 100% of the carbon emissions generated during the event were fully neutralized. That’s a huge step toward sustainability.
More than just a contest, the Altos Tahona Society Competition is a chance to connect and reconnect with colleagues and industry leaders from around the world. Globally recognized bars, such as Katana Kitten (New York) and Café de Nadie (Mexico), collaborated on guest shifts, while experts, including Iain McPherson, Christine Wiseman, Kate Boushel, and Megs Miller, shared their insights and passion with all attendees.
The most fascinating part of Christina’s project is how C-Sweet works. It’s a blend of natural sugars and fibers (agave inulin, chicory, artichoke, stevia, and monk fruit) that dramatically reduces both calories and the impact of sugar in drinks commonly used by bartenders and baristas. For example, with C-Sweet, a classic Margarita made with Altos Plata reduces the sugar content from 14.4g to just 1.5g, and the calories drop from 256 to 151 without compromising the original flavor.
Today’s consumers are actively seeking healthier options, clean labels, and responsible production, and C-Sweet arrives at the perfect time to meet this growing demand. Christina works exclusively with producers who respect the environment, making her product not only sustainable but also accessible thanks to its competitive price point.
For Christina, this project is much more than a product. C-Sweet is about reinventing sweetness in beverages while respecting both people and the planet. It’s a step toward a healthier future by reducing hidden daily sugar intake. Winning the Altos Tahona Society Competition now gives her the opportunity to introduce her product to bars, cafés, shops, and even homes around the world.
Behind Christina’s success lay months of preparation and guidance from social entrepreneurship expert Valerie Kramis, along with four intensive days of workshops and presentations during competition week. A panel of industry leaders—including Tim Croizat, Dré Masso, Lindsey Johnson, and Lara Zimmerman—chose Christina’s project among 10 others brimming with creativity, commitment, and plenty of passion.
Thankfully, the talent and dedication of other projects were also recognized with additional prizes. Christina Botero of Colombia, for example, was the crowd favorite with her initiative empowering young people in the hospitality industry; Audrey Hands and Lucía González of Mexico won a coaching award for their digital wellness project. All finalists will also participate in the Tahona Launch Pad, a program designed to help their projects grow and have a real impact on society.
For Carlos Andrés Ramírez of House of Tequila, C-Sweet serves as an exemplary model of innovation with purpose, prioritizing health, sustainability, and accessibility. He assures that everyone is excited to support Christina and see how her vision will transform the industry both inside and outside the bar.
The Altos Tahona Society Competition inspires bartenders to give their best and create lasting change. And after reading Christina’s story, maybe you’re already imagining how that small idea you’ve been carrying around could make a big difference too.
Follow Christina’s journey and C-Sweet on Instagram at @CSweetSyrups and check out her website at www.csweetsyrups.com
Are you ready to innovate, connect, and build a healthier, more sustainable future in the world of mixology? The countdown is already on for the Altos Tahona Society Competition 2027. Start your journey now!
