Competitions

Bittercube Cocktail Competition 2013 @ Tales of the Cocktail Cane and Table, the new French Quarter cocktail bar and restaurant, focuses on Rum drinking in the colonial era, Havana in the 1920’s, and the first decade of tiki.  Throughout these eras, bitters were an important ingredient.  The first annual Bittercube Cocktail Competition will focus on this idea.  The rules are simple.  Craft a rum cocktail with Bittercube Bitters.  The cocktail recipe may include no more than six ingredients and must include Bittercube Bitters as one of or more of the six.  The recipe cannot include more than one house-made ingredient.  If used, ice and a physical garnish will not be considered ingredients.  The recipe should be easy to replicate.  The cocktail submission must include a name for the cocktail and include the ingredients and their amounts in ounce and drop format, as well as instructions for preparation.  Attendees of Tales of the Cocktail should email submissions to info@bittercube.com starting on June 5th, 2013.  Six national finalists will be chosen on June 20th and invited to compete in the  finals during Tales of the Cocktail 2013.  The finals will be held at the Royal Sonesta Evangeline A&B Rooms on Saturday, July 20th, from 12:30PM-2PM.  The winner of the competition will have the opportunity to collaborate on a limited batch of Bittercube Bitters with Bittercube founders Nick Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz.  This batch will be released to the public in time for Tales of the Cocktail 2014 and the competition winner will share in the profits (up to $5,000) of the batch and have their name inscribed on the label as a co-collaborator.  The winner will also have their cocktail placed on the menu at Cane and Table.  Deadline is June 19, 2013.

2013 Peter F. Heering SLING Award® CHERRY HEERING® has queried the best global bar stars to create their own interpretation of the classic cocktail The Singapore Sling. The Challenge: 20 contestants will be awarded with an iPad mini to immortalize their interpretation of the SLING – and the possibility to be one of five finalists competing for the grand prize at 2013 Heering Sling Award, BCB Bar Convent in Berlin, October 8^th – 9^th, 2013. The 20 semi-finalist will have their SLING interpretations presented at Tales of the Cocktail, July 19^th, 2013. Deadline is June 25, 2013.

Ardbeg Balanced Cocktail Competition  Lighting up the mixology scene this summer is the flavor of smoke. Drinkers are hot on the trail of full-flavored smoking cocktails and mixologists everywhere are fanning the fire. Islay is famous for producing robust smoky scotch, which is a perfect way to taste smoke in a glass, but is a challenge to mix with. And although, the most die-hard Islay Scotch Whisky fans will tell you their sacred liquid is best served straight, bravely trying to tame the assertive peating and smoky flavor profile of Islay Scotch requires mixing experience and balancing skills. Chilled Magazine will pick 16 considered cocktails, out of all the submitted entries, that will be in the running to win the trip to Scotland. These drinks will also be used as content for the microsite and ultimately for the magazine.  Deadline is June 27, 2013.

Sidecar by Merlet Cocktail Competition The Merlet Cocktail Competition consists of three (3) parts.
1. A recipe for a variation on a classic Sidecar cocktail. It MUST use Merlet Brothers Blend Cognac and Merlet Triple Sec (Trois Citrus).  2. A recipe for a second cocktail that is an original creation using at least 1 (one) Merlet flavor. Bartenders are encouraged to be creative with this drink – homemade ingredients are allowed, as long as the recipe for the ingredient(s) are provided. 3. A brief written story related to the Sidecar. This story must be related in some way during competition. Creativity, showmanship, props, and hijinks are allowed and encouraged!  Winner receives a trip for 2 to Cognac, France!  Deadline is July 1, 2013.

The Auchentoshan Switch  Be part of a mixology programme like no other – the prize is not money or a trophy but instead 14 day switch across the Atlantic, Auchentoshan style. Experience world leading molecular mixology as you work in one of the world’s leading experiential cocktail bars under the guidance of our award winning Auchentoshan Switch mentors.  Online entries will be accepted until July 12, 2013.

VeeV Acai Spirit® Trip to Brazil Contest  VeeV Acai Spirit® is, simply put, a better way to drink®. Its unique flavor comes from the antioxidant-rich superfruit açaí, which is native to the Brazilian rainforest. The versatile spirit alternative can be enjoyed simply on the rocks or used to enhance cocktail classics and is perfect for creating new concoctions. For a better way to experience the Brazilian-born, American-made spirit, we’re sending one lucky bartender and his or her guest on a trip to Rio de Janeiro for four days. Beyond round trip airfare and three nights at a deluxe hotel, we’ll also create an itinerary for the winner that hits all of Rio’s hotspots. (Winner must travel between March 12 and March 31, 2014).  Deadline is August 18, 2013.

“Show Me the Proof!” High Proof Cognac Cocktail Competition  The competition will celebrate Louis Royer “Force 53″ VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac, which at 106 proof is one of the highest proof Cognacs in the U.S. market today, and demonstrate its versatility in a wide range of cocktails that are suitable for any time of year. Bartenders are encouraged to submit up to two recipes that represent their favorite seasons. A total of 12 finalists will compete in New York City on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 and demonstrate their cocktails before a distinguished judging panel. The competition’s Grand Prize includes a one-week, educational trip to France to visit Louis Royer Cognac’s cellars in Jarnac and experience the Fete du Cognac Festival, as well as two nights in Paris to enjoy the sophisticated city’s take on cocktail culture. Second and third place winners will each win a cash prize of $1,000.  Deadline is August 31, 2013.

Perfect Purée Perfect Flavor Artist Contest  Beginning April 1, The Perfect Purée Perfect Flavor Artist contest will accept video submissions of foodservice professionals demonstrating how they use the company’s products in original dishes or beverages. One winner will be selected each month through October. Winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize and be featured in the Winter 2013 issue of Chilled Magazine, as well as on-line at http://www.perfectpuree.com/flavorartist. Non-winners will be included in the pool of eligible entries to be considered by the panel of judges in subsequent months. Contest runs through October, 2013.

Cocktail Competition with Vinum at Vessel (WA Bartenders Only)  Let it be known and sung throughout the internets that Vinum Importing is holding a cocktail competition on the 1^st Monday of every month at Vessel in downtown Seattle. Monthly listings can be found at Vinum Importing’s Cocktail Competition website. And we’ll begin on Jan 7^th with the eponymous competition: Brown, Bitter & Stirred.  Check the schedule for a new competition every month.