Competitions

Ultimate Ocean Cocktail Contest  Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or amateur mixologist, start stirring up your favorite libation for a chance at the ultimate prize: a three-night stay at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, $500 spending money, and your recipe featured for one year on all of the resort’s cocktail menus. Recipes will be accepted from both state of Hawaiʻi and national applicants. Judges will narrow the field to five state and one national finalist for the mix-off event on April 11 at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. If you’ve made it to this point, you’re already a winner—these six finalists will receive airfare to Maui and a stay at the resort! Deadline is February 28, 2015.

USBG World Class Competition  The industry’s biggest and most prestigious bartending competition. Leading bartenders from over 50 countries will be pushing the boundaries of creativity and showmanship as they compete for the title of World Class Bartender of the Year.  Deadline is March 3, 2015.

Disaronno The Mixing Star  The Mixing Star is DISARONNO’S global cocktail program inviting bartenders to create a twist on the brand’s signature cocktail – the DISARONNO Sour.  This year, a live finale event will take place in New York City, on May 14, 2015 and will showcase the top signature cocktails from across the country.  Guests will have the opportunity to interact with these skilled bartenders from six key regions of the US.  Deadline is April 22, 2015.

Speed-Rack Season 4 The service industry can sometime be thought of as a man’s world. With Speed Rack, which they founded in February of 2011, Mix and Marrero have been able to shine a spotlight on female mixologists thriving behind bars around the country; and while they are at it, raise money for breast cancer research, education, and prevention. The two got Speed Rack off the ground after Mix brought her concept of an all-female speed bartending competition to Marrero, the president of the NY chapter of LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails – an organization that promotes women in the spirit industry while raising funds for local and national charities.). The idea was to create a cocktail competition for the ladies -one that celebrated women, was created by women and supported women; in and out of the spirits industry. In their first year, Speed Rack met over 200 bartenders across the country and raised over $69,000.  Playoffs run from November 2014 through June 2015.

Auchentoshan Switch  As an Auchentoshan Switch competitor you’ll be put through your paces, but not without reward. From the chance to meet our industry leading judges to the opportunity to challenge your creativity and technical ability to the max, the experience alone will truly take your mixology skills to a new level. Auchentoshan Switch 2015 will crown a winner in North America and a winner in Europe. These two world-leading mixologists will then switch continents and experience life in one of the world’s leading bars. Europe’s 2013 winner Aidan Bowie said “You get a really great holiday but also get to work in one of the best bars in the world: win-win!” and we couldn’t have put it better ourselves.  Upcoming US heat in NYC on May 7, 2015.