Get Ready to Shake It Up - Application now open for the 2025 USBG National Classic Cocktail Competition!
Get ready for an unforgettable showdown: The USBG is thrilled to team up once again with Bar & Restaurant Expo to present the Shake It Up National Finals—our prestigious USBG National Cocktail Competition. From March 25-26, 2025, the Expo Hall Stage will come alive as we crown the Classic & Flair Champions who will go on to represent us at the IBA Global Competitions.
If you're ready to show your skills and shine on the world stage, review the Classic Division Terms and Conditions and submit your application for a chance to compete alongside the best bartenders worldwide at the IBA World Cocktail Championship or the Pan-American Cocktail Championship!
Fall 2025: USBG National Champion advances to IBA World Cocktail Championship, Location TBD
Fall 2025: Runner-Up advances to Pan-American Cocktail Championship, Location TBD
As a member of the IBA (International Bartenders Association), the USBG can send one Classic Competitor to these competitions.
Details – Phase I:
Entrants will be required to complete the application by providing certain information, such as name, address, contact information, one (1) original cocktail recipe and one (1) recorded digital video demonstration/1-minute inspiration story via the application link.
Guidelines for original cocktail recipes:
- Homemade ingredients and syrups are not allowed
- The maximum number of alcoholic and non-alcoholic ingredients in the recipe shall be limited to six (6) including dashes, drops, and rimmed glassware
- Garnishes must be edible and can be placed on the rim of glass. Garnishes in the glass or touching the liquid will be considered an ingredient if it affects the flavor of the drink, i.e., salted rim
- Drinks may be stirred, shaken, built, or thrown
- Recipe shall not include blended or hot beverages (coffee, tea, etc.)
- Due to permitting restrictions, use of open flame is prohibited. Matches are not considered “open flame.” Flaming garnishes will be allowed
- Drink names including rude, lurid, sexual words or words associated with narcotics or motor vehicles, are prohibited
- Recipes will be scored as follows: Flavor Analysis/Perceived Taste (20 points), Originality (20 points), Craft (10 points), Technical Presentation (40 points), and Inspiration (10 points)
- USBG reserves the right to ensure/modify cocktail name and ingredients to comply with Program terms
- USBG reserves the right to feature the cocktail recipe, in whole or part, in any and all USBG-owned properties, without attribution or compensation
Two panels of judges will review each submission with the recipe portion being evaluated anonymously. The scores will be combined, and the Top 5 highest-scoring entrants will advance to the Shake It Up Cocktail Competition National Finals in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Entrants who have been selected to proceed to the National Final will be notified on or around December 17, 2024.
Please submit your application before 11:59 PM PST on Friday, November 1, 2024!
CLASSIC TIMELINE:
- September 24 – November 1: Application Submission Phase I
- November 1: Application due to include One (1) original cocktail recipe and one (1) recorded digital video demonstration/1-minute inspiration story
- November 4 – December 17: Application Evaluation
- December 17 (on or around): Top 5 Announcement
Please reach out to Tiffany Soles at tsoles@usbg.org if you have any questions.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
IBA CLASSIC TECHNIQUES TRAINING VIDEOS
PART ONE - USBG Competition Rules
PART TWO - USBG Rules Demonstration
IMPORTANT LINKS:
International Bartenders Association website
Interested in competing in the Shake It Up Flair Cocktail Competition? For more information on the 2025 Flair Qualifier, please click here.