FAQ

How does the competition work?

You will need to submit an original recipe that showcases you as a bartender and your passions around all you do. You will also need to create a video up to 90 seconds that displays your creative outlet and your passions. It’s the opportunity to give judges a glimpse into your life and how it interweaves into the cocktail. The video is not meant to be you making your drink. It is rather meant to be you showcasing your creative passions; your inspiration behind the drink.

Please make sure to keep the Video and Recipe Requirements in mind.

All competitors who advance to the next round will be notified by email and they will be invited to participate in preliminaries where judges will visit their home bar to taste their cocktail creation.

Those who advance will be invited to partake in the regional competition that will take place in September 2022. Regional competitions will determine the top 3 bartenders from each region to advance to finals. This year there will also be a Distillers Choice finalist that will be chosen by our own Master Distiller Dr. Anne Brock. They will get to join the other 9 finalists. The top 10 bartenders will travel to Laverstoke Mill Distillery and London for education and immersion.

The finals will be held in Miami, FL in February 2023 where we will crown The Most Imaginative Bartender.

Who can sign up for this?

The Competition is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (except Utah) and Canada, are at least twenty-five (25) years old as of the date of entry, work in a bar at least 20 hours per week at the time of entry, and have a passport valid through December 31, 2022. Please see the Official Rules for more details and exclusions.

What are the video requirements?

  • The video cannot be longer than 90 seconds. The judges will only watch the first 90 seconds. There will not be points lost for going over but the amount that you go over will just not be watched or judged.
  • The video is ideally shot on your smartphone or other device.
  • The video should showcase your creative outlet (first and foremost). It should also tell us a little about you; your imagination, story-telling, overall presentation skills and knowledge of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin.
  • Do not make your drink and tell us what’s in it – tell us what inspires you. Show us what your creative outlet outside of bartending is and put it on display.
  • Videos cannot contain trademarked, copyrighted, or intellectual property of third-parties.
  • Videos must be an original creation and not have been used in previous media, competitions or other publications.
  • VIDEO SHOULD BE UNDER 300 MB.
  • The video must be DISCUS compliant.

Do I need to shoot my video with professional equipment?

No, you can shoot with any handheld device. To upload please make sure the file size is under 300 MB.

What are the cocktail recipe requirements?

  • Recipes must be expressed in fluid ounces, divided in respectively customary measurements (0.5 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., etc.), with dashes and/or drops being the smallest quantities.
  • The recipe must be gin-based and include BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin. (No East, Dry, Bramble or STAR OF BOMBAY® versions.)
  • You can use as many ingredients as you like.
  • The content of the cocktail must be between 3 oz. and 11 oz. (including dashes and drops).
  • You may NOT use flaming alcohol or flames near alcohol. No flames of any kind.
  • Ingredients must be safe for human consumption.
  • You must specify a name for your recipe. The name may not include any copyrighted or trademarked material or any retailer’s name, except that you may use the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® brand in the name.

What will I be judged on?

You will be asked to create an original cocktail, which will be judged on Originality, Imagination, Concept, and Story. Here are some important Cocktail Requirements that you’ll want to keep in mind.

What happens if I win the Finals?

Congratulations! You will now be known as the Most Imaginative Bartender, joining an elite group of bartenders recognized worldwide. The grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 creative grant and be our go to representative of MIB for the year.

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