The deadline for entries to the SWISS COCKTAIL OPEN 2023 has passed. We thank you for the numerous entries.
Do you mix the best cocktail in Switzerland?
BAR NEWS is looking for the best cocktail in Switzerland! The biggest cocktail competition in Switzerland is open to all professional bartenders (m/f). The cocktail that convinces the jury most with taste, appearance and storytelling (in the final) will receive the title "Best Cocktail of Switzerland 2023" and win an exclusive winner's prize.
Eligible are all professional Barkeeper (m/f) from 18 years, who work full or part time in Switzerland. Registration deadline: March 31, 2023. You can find details about the competition in the regulations.
Exclusive winner prizes
Great prizes await the winner of the Swiss Cocktail Open 2023:
1st rank
- Winner prize (surprise)
You will get the privilege to participate in an event launched especially for the winner / winner of the Swiss Cocktail Open. More details will follow... - Wildcard for SWISS BAR AWARDS 2024
As winner of the Swiss Cocktail Open you will receive a wildcard for the qualifying round in the category "Barkeeper of the year" at the SWISS BAR AWARDS in 2024. - Portrait trade magazine BAR NEWS
The trade magazine BAR NEWS dedicates a portrait worth CHF 4950 to the winner of the Swiss Cocktail Open.
2nd and 3rd rank
One voucher each for 2 persons to the Award Night of the SWISS BAR AWARDS on October 25, 2023 worth CHF 500.
Procedure
Step 1: Recipe submission by March 31, 2023
A recipe including a photo of the cocktail and a portrait of the bartender must be submitted with the application. A maximum of two recipes can be submitted per Barkeeper. Participation is free of charge.
Cocktail recipe
New, previously unpublished cocktail recipe from the bartender. Type of cocktail: long or short drink. Number of products: 3 to 6 (plus decoration). These specifications must be fulfilled:
- At least 1 product of an international producer, according to the list of Competition Partners
- At least 1 product from a Swiss producer, according to the list of Competition Partners
- Maximum 1 product "Home-Made"
- Maximum 1 special or niche product. This does not have to come from a Competition Partner
- Fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, herbs) etc. is allowed.
Step 2: Preliminary round
The submitted cocktail recipes will be checked and evaluated by a jury. The author of the recipe will be anonymized. The Barkeeper, who have sent in the best recipes, will be announced and invited to the final on May 8.
Step 3: Final on May 8, 2023 in Zurich
The final with the best 24 recipes will take place on May 8, 2023 in Hall 550 in Zurich-Oerlikon. The winner will be determined in two rounds:
| First round | Second round | |
| Number | 24 Barkeeper | 6 Barkeeper |
| Procedure | Barkeeper mix four cocktails | The best Barkeeper of the 1st round compete against each other with the same cocktail recipes. |
| Time | Max. 7 minutes | Max. 7 minutes + additional max. 1 minute to explain the background of the recipe. |
| Jury | Taste (80%), Appearance (20%) | Taste (60%), appearance (20%), storytelling (20%). |
The competitor with the most points from the second round will be the winner of the Swiss Cocktail Open.
FAQ's for Barkeeper
Does freshly squeezed lemon juice count as a "home-made" product?
No, juices prepared à la minute count as fresh products.
If I want to make an infusion with, say, an international gin. Does that count as an "International Product" or a "Home-Made" product?
Infusions of an international spirit with herbs, spices and fruits do not count as a home-made ingredient but as an "International Product". However, the preparation of the infusion must be stated in the recipe in any case. By the way, the same applies to a Swiss gin.
What exactly is a "special or niche product"
We have a large number of partner products from which you can choose. However, in some categories there are no partner products. In this case you are allowed to use one ingredient per recipe from a producer who is not a partner of the Swiss Cocktail Open. From the basic spirits like Whisky, Vodka, Gin, Rum as well as the most common Liqueurs and Aperitifs you should have no problem to find the right product from the partner list.
I would have the perfect cocktail recipe, but unfortunately can not participate in the finals on May 8.
Less of a question, but well... Then maybe try it better next year!
How, pray tell, is a jury supposed to taste 24 cocktails? They can't walk straight after number 15.
Our jury consists of professional experts and tasters. Nevertheless, we have determined the mode in the final so that the 24 finalists are divided into two groups. These are in turn judged by two different jury groups. In this way, we have guaranteed fairness.
Submit recipe by March 31
The deadline for entries has passed. We would like to thank you for the numerous entries. The submitted cocktail recipes will now be checked and evaluated by the jury. The Barkeeper with the best recipes will then be announced and invited to the final on May 8.
