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 upload a video up to 90 seconds, a photo or a short sentence, 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 creative outlet submission 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.

Judges will select up to 22 competitors who advance to the next round and will be notified by email to participate in Semi-Finals.

Semi-Finals will take place in November 2023. Semi-Finals will determine the top 12 bartenders to advance to finals.

This year there will also be a 2 bartenders who receive a ‘sapphire pass’ that will grant them entry to Semi-Finals. The sapphire pass will be awarded to bartenders who display creative traits in their everyday lives and will be selected by secret Tales of the Cocktail committee members.

12 bartenders will be selected from Semi-Finals and will travel to Laverstoke Mill Distillery and London for education and immersion.

The finals will be held in Orlando, Fl in April 2024 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 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 September 1, 2024. Please see official rules for more details and exclusions.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY?

  • A cocktail recipe
  • A video up :90 seconds, a photo or a brief description of your Creative Outlet
  • Your Creative Outlet submission should showcase your creative outlet (first & foremost) and tell us a little about you, your imagination, story-telling, overall presentation skills and knowledge of Bombay Sapphire Gin
  • Recipe and Creative Outlet submission should not contain trademarked, copyrighted, or intellectual property of third parties
  • Creative outlet must be an original creation and not have been used in previous media, competitions or other publications
  • If submitting a video should be under :90 seconds and under 300 MB. DO NOT USE CINEMATIC MODE AS IT WILL PREVENT ENTRY FROM BEING AVAILABLE FOR JUDGING.
  • Between 1 – 3 photo’s
  • Brief description, max 2000 characters
  • Creative Outlet must be DISCUS compliant

DOES MY VIDEO OR PHOTO NEED TO BE PROFESSIONAL SHOT?

No, you can shoot with any handheld device or phone. To upload please make sure you follow file size.
Please do not shoot in cinematic mode.

WHAT ARE THE COCKTAIL RECIPE REQURIEMENTS?

  • 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 or BOMBAY SAPPHIRE PREMIER CRU MURCIAN LEMON® (No other Bombay variants are permitted)
  • You can use as many ingredients as you like
  • The content of the cocktail must be between 3 oz. and 11 oz. in total. (including dashes and drops)
  • You may not use flaming alcohol or flames near alcohol
  • Ingredients must be safe for human consumption and easily replicable
  • 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 are asked to create an original cocktail, which will be judged on imagination, concept and story and account for 40% of your score.

You are asked to submit you Creative Outlet in either a video, photo or brief description. The Creative Outlet will be judged on imagination, concept and story and account for 60% of your score.

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 $20,000 creative grant and be our go to representative of MIB for the year.