In the midst of the Berner Matte quarter it went yesterday afternoon rather hochprozentig - zero percent! The trade magazine Bar News invited to the final of its already 12th Swiss Nullpromille Trophy. The established competition took place in the premises of the Matte Distillery. The spotlight was on a total of nine finalists and two finalists from all parts of Switzerland.
On the one hand, of course, to convince the jury with their respective cocktail creations. On the other hand, it was all the finalists at the same time who demonstrated with their creative drinks and story telling mixes how diverse, complex and innovative the genre of non-alcoholic cocktails has become. Just a trend? Not at all.
The 12th Swiss Nullpromille Trophy is proof of this sustainable development. "When we launched the competition twelve years ago, the players in the bar scene were still rather skeptical and reserved. Today, the development of non-alcoholic cocktails is no longer treated stepmotherly. A lot has happened at all levels - on the producer and consumer side and, of course, in the bar scene.
Zero-alcohol drinks are not an alternative, but an appealing chapter in their own right," Ruedi Zotter is convinced. At the time, the initiator of the Swiss Nullpromille Trophy was keen to offer an alternative to alcoholic drinks. Everyone should have the opportunity to have a bar experience without having to consume alcohol.
"Today, zero-alcohol cocktails shine alongside high-proof classics in obviousness, variety and aromatics."
Ruedi Zotter, Initiator Swiss Nullpromille Trophy
Over 50 recipes. Two categories. Two winners.
Just how diverse and creative the use of new non-alcoholic products and ingredients for non-alcoholic cocktails has become is also shown by the quantity of recipes received by Bar News. Well over 50 specially created and anonymized recipes were evaluated by a jury of experts.
At the finals of the 12th Swiss Nullpromille Trophy , a jury of three was allowed to taste and evaluate a total of six selected cocktails in the "Fancy" category and five in the Sparkling genre. The jury, chaired by Bruno Hunkeler, was impressed by the colorful, interesting world of drinks and their presentation by dedicated Swiss bartenders.
Francois Bräuning, bar manager at Zurich's Lenox Bar in the Marriott Hotel, won in the category of playful "fancy drinks. He created the winning cocktail "Back to the Roots" with a dash of beetroot, based on his personal experience during the pandemic, which allowed him to confidently start anew in the bar business and take deeper roots.
Back to the Roots
1st place category "Fancy Drink"
by Francois Bräuning | Lenox Bar, Hotel Marriott, Zurich
| 3 cl | Rebels Gin alternative |
| 2 cl | Elderflower syrup Monin |
| 1.5 cl | Supasawa |
| 1 bl | Beet juice |
| 5 | fresh raspberries |
Decoration: peppermint / raspberries
The winner in the "Sparkling Cocktails" category, which was supported by Rimuss and its non-alcoholic sparkling qualities, is now Michael Duc, who is only 20 years old. "Be Mango" was his zero-percent, but extremely sparkling drink-culinary answer to the recipe specification of the Sparkling track.
Be Mango
1st place category "Sparkling Cocktail"
by Michael Duc | Atelier Classic Bar, Thun
| 3 cl | Lyres Italian Spritz |
| 3 cl | Mango juice |
| 2.5 cl | Fresh lemon juice |
| 1.5 cl | Honey syrup Monin |
| 5 cl | Rimuss Bianco Dry |
Decoration: honeycomb, honey melon bee, kaffir leaf, skeleton leaf
Wellness for the winners
For the two winners, Francois Bräuning and Michael Duc, it could soon be "off to the Hermitage Hotel in Lucerne". The hotel at the Vierwaldstättersee is pleased to be allowed to receive the two winners immediately to an attractive recovery weekend for two persons each. And when they take a look at the hotel's bar menu, the two Barkeeper will of course discover one or two non-alcoholic drinks.
Ranking list category "Fancy Drink"
| Rank | Name | Local | Drink | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Francois Bräuning | Lenox Bar, Hotel Marriott, Zurich | Back to the Roots | 249.0 |
| 2. | Markus Koeppel | 52 Magic Bar, Au | Cranberry Crush | 244.5 |
| 3. | Roman Mutzner | Thurbinä Bar, Winterthur | Kisses from Mexico | 233.5 |
| 4. | Julien Chouquet | The Woodward Geneva | Vir'Ginzu | 229.0 |
| 4. | Fartun Ali | Old Crow Bar, Zurich | Vanilla Spice | 229.0 |
| 6. | Michael Duc | Atelier Classic Bar, Thun | The Fisherman and his Wife | 224.5 |
Ranking list category "Sparkling Cocktail"
| Rank | Name | Local | Drink | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Michael Duc | Atelier Classic Bar, Thun | Be Mango | 261.5 |
| 2. | Céline Wassmer | Jojo Bar, Aarau | Brunch at Valerie's | 234.0 |
| 3. | Vithusan Somasundaram | Hafebar, Solothurn | Blackbeez | 228.5 |
| 4. | Praveen Paul | Lakeview Bar & Cigar Lounge, Hotel Bürgenstock, Obbürgen | Smurf's Choice | 220.0 |
| 5. | Benjamin Kyburger | Kaspar Bar, Lucerne | Rimussito | 216.0 |
Partner 12th Swiss Nullpromille Trophy
