Current Cocktail Competitions
Shochu Cocktail Competition We’re excited to announce that the second annual Shochu Cocktail Competition is back, along with the chance to win the grand prize – a week-long special immersive shochu trip to Kyushu Island, Japan. This competition is centered on the bridge between our spirits culture and world-class bartenders. Submit your best shochu cocktail inspired by one of the many traditional festivals and holidays in Japan, using your favorite shochu: Potato, Brown sugar, Rice, or Barley.
Application Opens: January 23, 2023 – February 22, 2023
Finalists Announcement: March 1, 2023
Grand Finale Competition: March 13, 2023, in New York
Application open to all legal residents of the contiguous 48 US States (and Washington, DC) ages 21+
Unexpected Cartron Tour Contest Joseph Cartron, the established namesake liqueur house which quickly became famous for its Crème de Cassis de Bourgogne, is proud to announce its first international cocktail contest, “Unexpected Cartron Tour.” The contest, which kicked off January 15th, asks professional bartenders to utilize any of Cartron’s liqueurs, crèmes, eaux-de-vie, and vermouths, along with a “surprising element” in their cocktail. Finalists will be invited to present their drinks in front of an “unexpected” judging panel in Nuits-Saint-Georges in July 2023. “Through this competition, we have the intention to make mixologists rediscover all the passion they have for our creations, for the love of Burgundian terroir, and French products,” says Judith Cartron, the fifth generation at the helm of the esteemed brand. “This event should anchor even more la Maison Joseph Cartron as an international reference in the creation of unique cocktails.” Seven countries will participate in the competition, including United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and France. Following the theme of the “unexpected,” the finalists will be introduced to surprising elements, which will be kept secret until the last moments before the final challenge. The winning competitor will be crowned “Global Unexpected Cartron Tour Champion” and will be welcomed back, expenses paid, as a guest judge for the next competition, plus offered opportunities to collaborate with Joseph Cartron on a per event basis based on location and availability. How to Enter: Between January 15th and March 6th, entries should be submitted via the registration form on unexpectedcartrontour.com. Winners will be announced and invited to attend the international final in France in mid-July 2023.
2nd annual Battle of the Bartenders Super Bowl Edition Are you ready for some football? Nothing pairs with the friendly competition of one of America’s favorite sports quite like good drinks, which is why Twang and Thirsty Bartenders are marrying the two in their 2nd annual Battle of the Bartenders Super Bowl Edition. They’re calling out to bartenders and cocktail connoisseurs of all kinds to create an original football-inspired cocktail using Twang products—the winner will take home a cash prize of $1,500! To kick off the contest on Monday, January 16, Thirsty Bartenders will post an announcement on their Instagram page searching for potential contestants (must be 21+). On Thursday, January 19, the official contestants will be announced and will be shipped a variety of Twang swag, such as their iconic beer salt, michelada mixes, rimming salts, and more, to create their drink! Contestants have until February 6 to perfect their submission and post it on Instagram Reels so fans can vote. Three finalists will be selected: a “People’s Choice” winner, whose Reel receives the most comments; a “Story Showdown” winner, whose cocktail wins the bracket-style competition on Instagram Stories’ polls; and a “Bartenders Pick” winner, voted on anonymously by 50 bartenders. After the three finalists have been selected, Twang and Thirsty will choose the winner based on a set of criteria to be announced the day before the Super Bowl on Saturday, February 11. For more details, please check out the Thirsty Bartenders Instagram page. To learn more about Twang and purchase products, visit https://www.twang.com/.
The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto invites bartenders across the globe to create an original aperitivo cocktail inspired by any form of art. This year, 2023, will see applicants encouraged to incorporate heightened sustainability into their creations, with the global winner being crowned ‘the ITALICUS bar artist of the year’ and receiving the opportunity to experience a mentorship program with no.1 bar in the world, Paradiso Barcelona and Giacomo Giannotti. During the experience, the winner will be accompanied by Shoshin Art Club, the international bartender’s educational platform created by Valentino Longo, to document the full experience in an video episode which will be featured amongst the courses available on the website. Applications will be opened from the 9th January to 6th March 2023
World Class US 2023 USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by DIAGEO, allows competitors to push themselves, learn, and grow with other industry leaders. Each phase of the competition challenges competitors to utilize and sharpen their skills to become stronger bartenders and leaders in our industry! The USBG in partnership with DIAGEO is seeking a creative and driven bartender to claim the title of 2023 World Class US Bartender of the Year. Think you have what it takes? Applying is easy.Showcase ONE unique cocktail creation for a chance to move on to the World Class US Top 100. It’s open to current bartenders 21+ with a dream, a drink, and the panache to serve it up right!
Good Spirits News 
fantastic!!!!cheers
i like it so .cheers.
I cannot wait for TALES!!!!
Great list! Thanks from your fans at raisingurbar.com
Pingback: A Good Year Ahead for Bartender Competitions – Shared Spirits Marketing
So is the spirits competition not for cocktails but for liquor recommendations?
That is correct. Thanks for asking!
Thank you for the list!!