Do you mix the best cocktail in Switzerland?
BAR NEWS is looking for the best cocktail in Switzerland! The largest cocktail competition in Switzerland is open to all professional bartenders (m/f). The cocktail that most impresses the jury with its taste, appearance and storytelling (in the final) will be awarded the title of "Best Cocktail in Switzerland 2024" and win an exclusive prize.
All professional Barkeeper (m/f) aged 18 and over who work full-time or part-time in Switzerland are eligible to take part. Registration deadline: March 31, 2024. Details on the competition can be found in the regulations ( de) / Regulations (en) / Règlement (fr)
Exclusive winner prizes
Great prizes await the winner of the Swiss Cocktail Open 2024:
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 2025
As the winner of the Swiss Cocktail Open, you will receive a wildcard for the qualifying round in the "Barkeeper of the year" category at the SWISS BAR AWARDS in 2025. - 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 for 2 persons each for the SWISS BAR AWARDS Award Night on October 22, 2024 worth CHF 500.
Procedure
Step 1: Submit recipe by March 31, 2024
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New, previously unpublished cocktail recipe from the bartender.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 from an international producer according to the Competition Partner list
- At least 1 product from a Swiss producer according to the Competition Partner list
- 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 submitted the best recipes will be announced and invited to the final on May 6.
Step 3: Final on May 6, 2024 in Zurich
The final with the best 24 recipes will take place on May 6, 2024 at Chicago 1928 (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
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered here, please contact us by e-mail at redaktion@barnews.ch or by phone on 041 618 84 11.
Does aquafaba count as one of the "up to 6 ingredients"?
Yes. In addition to this ingredient, you can use up to 5 other ingredients. A total of at least 1 product must come from an international producer (according to the Competition Partner list) and at least 1 product must come from a national partner (according to the Competition Partner list).
Do juices and bitters also count as "up to 6 ingredients"?
Yes. See answer above.
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 have the perfect cocktail recipe, but unfortunately I can't take part in the final on May 6.
Not so much a question, but well... Maybe you'd better try it next year then!
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.
Send in your recipe now until March 31
No more registrations possible, registration deadline reached.
