Quintessential brands’ premium spiced gin Opihr is inviting mixologists around the world to enter this year’s Opihr Global cocktail competition.
For 2019’s competition, bartenders are required to create a new cocktail using Opihr spiced gin, which should be shared on Instagram, with an image and recipe, tagging @OPIHRGin with the hashtag #OPIHRWorld.
The cocktail must be a twist on a classic, created using at least 35ml Opihr, with no more than five ingredients. In line with the brand’s mission to take consumers on a “journey of discovery”, the cocktail must also include at least one locally-sourced ingredient, to bring a sense of real provenance to the serve.
Entries are open until 19 July, and are welcome from professional bartenders across the world. Countries taking part this year include the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, South Africa and the Netherlands.
The best entries per market will be shortlisted by the Opihr judging panel and invited to attend their nearest regional final, which will be held between late July and mid-August.
Regional finalists will travel to a secret location along the ancient spice route for the grand final in September.
The overall winner will be crowned The Spirit of Opihr 2019 and will be invited to help shape the brand’s ongoing drinks strategy, alongside the opportunity to get involved with future projects.
The winner of last year’s Opihr Global Cocktail Competition was UK finalist Charley Carrington of Cottonmouth bar in Nottingham, following a tightly fought grand final in Istanbul.
Charley said: “Winning last year’s competition was the most incredible feeling, and the journey hasn’t stopped there! I’ve had an amazing year working with the Opihr brand team on cocktails, events, and the new drinks strategy: the Opihr Drinks Atlas. I would highly recommend entering; it’s an adventure you’ll never forget.”
Robert Milton, global brand director for Opihr Gin, added: “2019 sees the Opihr Global Cocktail Competition enter its sixth year – and every year it continues to grow in popularity.
“As Opihr expands around the world, we are successfully connecting with bartenders by offering them a truly unique flavour in premium spiced gin, together with a fantastic competition in which to showcase their skills.
“Good luck to everyone who enters this year – we really look forward to meeting our finalists in September.”
