The Brandy Mixology Challenge
The Brandy Mixology Challenge

(yes - we're also talking about you at-home)!

The first-ever Brandy Mixology Challenge, sponsored by St-Rémy Signature, is now accepting entries for the best Brandy cocktail! All levels of mixology are encouraged to enter.

Brandy is a versatile cocktail base, and St-Rémy’s latest expression St-Rémy Signature is the perfect new brandy on the block to test out in your next cocktail creation. Its sweet aromas of vanilla, coconut and almond makes for the perfect balance of tradition and modernity or what we’d like to say is a bartenders’ dream spirit!

St-Rémy Signature is on the hunt for America’s next best bartender to create the ultimate brandy cocktail. Do you have what it takes to break the brandy mold and create a brandy cocktail that is meant for you and not your Dad?

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Entry Requirements:

  • Detailed recipe (see below for specific cocktail requirements).
  • Photo of finished cocktail. (Note: image is for style reference and can be done on a smartphone.)
  • Headshot of entrant: Please include a photo of yourself that we could post on social media, website, articles, press releases.
  • Short answer responses to these questions on the entry form (max 500 words total):
    • What would you tell cocktail enthusiasts who are weary of mixing brandy in recipes?
    • What unique qualities & tasting notes of St-Rémy Signature inspired your creation?
    • Why do you think brandy is always associated with an older generation of drinkers? What would you do to change perception?
    • What was your favorite part of the program? Did you learn anything new about the brandy category?
  • The entry period opens on July 12, 2022 12:00:00am/EST and will close on August 14, 2022, at 11:59:59 pm/EST.
  • One entry per person, must be solely the original work of the entrant.
  • Entrants must complete the digital entry form from VinePair in its entirety here.
  • Entries must be in English.
  • Entries must not allude to the overconsumption or irresponsible consumption of alcohol.
  • Entries that do not include all required information and do not adhere to the foregoing and following requirements will be considered void and will not be considered in the judging of this contest.
  • Entries that are deemed by the Sponsor in its sole discretion to be illegal, obscene, profane or not in keeping with the Sponsor’s image will be disqualified.
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The Brandy Mixology Challenge

Prizing

  • 10 winners will be selected. Winners will be notified via email.
  • The prize is comprised of two elements:
    • Cocktail Recipe Feature:
      • Top two winners recipes will be exclusively featured on in VinePair’s recipe section and will be included in a St-Rémy Signature infographic that will be distributed to media in national and regional markets
      • All winners' cocktail recipes will be featured in a recipe roundup article on VinePair.
    • Virtual Meet & Greet with Master Blender
      • All winners to join St-Rémy Signature Master Blender Cécile Roudaut for an intimate group virtual tasting session to discuss the expression and cocktail recipes.
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Judging Critera:

  • Cocktails will be evaluated based on taste, aroma and balance: the whole experience when drinking the cocktail. Criteria being judged includes:
    • Cocktail Appearance: How does the cocktail look?
    • Originality and Creativity: Any unusual combination?
    • Technique: This is how clearly you describe the execution of the cocktail for recreation
    • Taste
  • All submissions must be submitted by August 14, 2022, 11:59:59pm/EST.
  • All submissions will be reviewed by VinePair to ensure each contestant has fully completed the form and is eligible to compete.
  • All completed submissions will then be blind judged by the panel, which is defined as evaluating only the recipe and essay submissions while not considering the name, city, or account of the Competitor.
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Rules & Regulations:

  • St-Rémy Signature Brandy must be the primary base ingredient in the cocktail and the only base spirit in the cocktail (vermouth, bitters and other modifiers are allowed).
    • If using alternative brandy to test recipe, please be sure St-Rémy Signature tasting notes are being considered.
  • The cocktail must contain no more than six (6) ingredients: this includes St-Rémy Signature brandy, bitters, no more than two (2) homemade ingredients.
  • Cocktails must contain standard ingredients. Homemade ingredients must be easily replicable and cannot have more than four (4) components. Examples of homemade ingredients are shrubs, syrups, and infusions.
  • Garnish is additional; should not be cooked or molecular.
  • Submissions should be easy to recreate in any bar program and should not include ingredients that would be difficult for any bartender or consumer to access.
  • The brandy cocktail recipe must have a name. The name may not include any copyrighted or trademarked material or any retailer’s name. The cocktail name must not contain any profanity or derogatory language. You may use cognac in the name.
  • Recipe must have a maximum serve of 11 oz, minimum serve of 4 oz.
  • Ingredients must be expressed in fluid ounces (.5 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., etc.), with dashes and drops being the smallest quantities. Preparation and mixing instructions must be included with your recipe. Specify the type of glassware to be used for serving.
  • Flaming cocktails, any hazardous materials, tobacco, any type of drug or psychotropic ingredient are prohibited as ingredients.
  • Must be 25+ to enter.

For more information on St-Rémy Signature Brandy or cocktail inspiration, visit https://www.st-remy.com/

© 2022 E. Rémy Martin & Co., St. Rémy® Signature Brandy, 40% Alc./Vol., Imported by Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc., New York, NY.

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Official Rules for Brandy Mixology Challenge