Competitions

Current Cocktail Competitions

Bols Cocktail Battle Bols is challenging professional bartenders to create Disco Cocktails that have a modern twist to lift the category from the cocktails of the 1970s and 1980s into today’s bartending era. From the 1950s’ Blue Hawaii, the Slow Screw, the Sex on the Beach, through to the Porn Star Martini, Disco Drinks are back. So fittingly, Disco Cocktails are the theme for the 2024 Bols Cocktail Battle. Your Disco Cocktails should crave instant attention and be balanced and delicious. Think bright colours, disco balls and fun. Prizes for all Finalists – everyone’s a winner! An expenses-paid celebratory trip for all national winners to the Netherlands for a Cocktail Fever inspirational program. Closing date is May 17th, 2024

Frey Ranch Farm-to-Glass Bartender Competition In partnership with edible Magazines, Frey Ranch will challenge bartenders from Reno, NV, Sacramento, CA, Marin & Wine Country, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Dallas, TX, San Diego, CA, and Phoenix, AZ with creating a farm fresh cocktail featuring Frey Ranch Four Grain Straight Bourbon and fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. Judges for each regional edible magazine will select one (1) winning bartender per market, who will receive $1,000 and a profile in their respective edible magazine edition. Judging by the edible magazine panel of experts will be based on the following criteria: cocktail name, visual presentation, balance, flavor, aroma & character, and, most importantly, the use of fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. From April 1 through May 31, participating retail locations will prominently feature Frey Ranch point-of-sale containing a QR code that allows consumers to enter for a chance to win a trip to Frey Ranch. One lucky legal drinking age whiskey lover will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the farm + distillery in Fallon, Nevada for them and a guest to tour the Ranch and drink farm fresh cocktails with co-founders and whiskey farmers Colby & Ashley Frey.

Jameson Black barrel Bartender Series Design a cocktail inspired by your locality (a local ingredient, method, technique, craft, person, place or combination of the above) that accentuates the flavour profile of Jameson Black Barrel and tell us why it works so well as the base spirit for your cocktail? Next, blend together your creativity, cocktail design and flavour analysis to create an engaging and impactful 30-60 second video that brings your personality to life, while inspiring your global bar community with your passion for your craft and your locality. We’re bringing 25 x ‘Regional Winners’ on a 3 day, all expenses paid trip to the world famous Midleton Distillery in Ireland, home of Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, along with 100+ global bar community to attend the ‘Jameson HOSTS Global Summit‘ in September 2024. Oh, and €500 EACH! BUT THATS NOT ALL!! Our top 3 x ‘Global Champions’ will each win an additional €5,000!! Deadline is May 15, 2024

World Class Cocktail Festival This event will kickstart the first-ever Cruise Cocktail Festival, aiming to showcase the cocktail crafting and spirit knowledge of 20 bartenders aboard some of the finest cruise liners globally. The festival, a new concept by the Diageo Global Travel Cruise team, is set for this spring, spanning March and April. It will take place across seven cruise ships, highlighting the mixology talent in the cruise industry and serving as a precursor to the World Class Bartender competition, which compares cruise mixologists with the best bartenders on land. The World Class Cruise team will narrow the participants to 10 finalists competing in the World Class Cruise Finals in Miami on June 4. The winner will proceed to the World Class Global Finals in Shanghai in September, competing for the World’s Best Bartender title.