The Bartender Talent Academy Cocktail Competition 2025
The Bartender Talent Academy by Rémy Martin, co-sponsored by BARTENDER® Magazine, is the ultimate cocktail competition for professional bartenders in New York City, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
This competition challenges bartenders to reimagine a classic Cognac cocktail using Rémy Martin VSOP, showcasing their creativity, craft, and storytelling skills.
Kicking off with online submissions from March 1 – April 11, 2025, top contenders will advance through regional live judging rounds, with six finalists winning a trip to Los Angeles for the National Finals in May 2025. The U.S. Champion will then head to Cognac, France, to compete on the global stage for cash prizes and international recognition.
Are you ready to take your craft to the next level? Submit your recipes today!
The Bartender’s Challenge
We challenge bartenders to take a classic Cognac cocktail from history and reimagine it with Rémy Martin VSOP.
Share one classic recipe & your version and tell the story of both
Submit now until 4/11/25
Competition Rules & Requirements
- Contestants should create an original cocktail by choosing a classic Cognac cocktail and reimagining it into your own modern creation with Remy Martin VSOP. Tell a story that connects your modern variation to the original and through the lens of the Remy Martin brand and values.
- The recipe should be an original and personal creation.
- One entry per person.
- Entries must be in the form of a full sized cocktail. No Shots/Shooters
- The recipe should include at least 1.5oz of Remy Martin VSOP
- You are not restricted to the Rémy Cointreau portfolio; however, it is compulsory to use Rémy Cointreau products if Rémy Cointreau has a presence in that spirit category.
- The use of another brand of Cognac is strictly prohibited.
- Full recipe and method of preparation must be clearly specified.
- Homemade ingredients are permitted.
- Other ingredients, such as garnishes, type of ice, etc. should be clearly specified.
- The choice of glassware is yours.
- The entire recipe should be expressed in fluid ounce, milliliter or number of drops used.
- Cocktail and ingredient preparation techniques must be clearly indicated.
- Your cocktail recipe should tell a story. Explanation and inspiration for the choice of classic cocktail, ingredients and recipe should be detailed.
- Photo of cocktail submission is mandatory. Make sure to provide a qualitative picture showcasing the cocktail.
- Submission period: March 1 – April 11, 2025
- Provide a high-quality photo of your cocktail
- One entry per participant
- Judging criteria: Creativity, Craft, Flavor, Knowledge, and Use of Rémy Martin
- 6-8 finalists per region advance to the Regional Qualifier
- Selection announced by April 19, 2025
- Regional judging takes place April 21 – April 30, 2025
- Judges visit each participant’s workplace for a live presentation
- One winner per region (6 total) advances to the National Finals in Los Angeles
- Takes place Mid-May 2025
- All-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles for finalists
- One National Winner earns a trip to France for the Global Finals
- All-expenses-paid trip to Cognac & Paris for the finalist
- Three winners receive cash prizes:
3,000€
2,000€
1,000€ - Winners announced at the Club RÉMY MARTIN Awards Dinner
cOMPETITION Timeline
Craft an original Cognac cocktail by reimagining a classic with Rémy Martin VSOP and submit it online with a compelling story.
Recipe must include at least 1.5 oz of Rémy Martin VSOP
A panel of industry professionals will evaluate all online submissions and select top contestants in each region.
Finalists will present their cocktails live at their workplace for evaluation by a local judging panel.
The six regional finalists compete in a live cocktail challenge to determine the U.S. Champion.
The U.S. winner represents the country in the ultimate competition against top bartenders worldwide.
Competition Prizes
Regional Competitions
- Six (6) National Finalists will head to LA to compete during the National Finals
- Six (6) National Finalists will be featured in the Summer issue of BARTENDER Magazine
- National (US) Winner will have a chance at the trip of a lifetime for one person to the global Final in France
- National (US) Winner will have a full page feature in the Summer issue of BARTENDER Magazine
Global Final
- A once in a lifetime week of experience & competition in France with top tier peers
- Lifetime access to Rémy Martin Historical house for all finalists
- Global Winner cash prizes:
1st – 3,000€
2nd – 2,000€
3rd – 1,000€
Submit Your Cocktail Recipe
Bartender Talent Academy:
What is it?
The Bartender Talent Academy is a global program kicking off with national competitions in select regions, where the winners will have the chance to compete in the International Final in Cognac.
About BARTENDER Magazine
How BARTENDER Magazine's Partnerships with Remy Martin and BTA are Driving Positive Changes in the Industry
Competition RULES - BARTENDER TALENT ACADEMY BY RÉMY MARTIN
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