Hip Sip: Battle of the Modern Bartender

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM, CENTER STAGE

Rum is on the rise! Rum is often a misunderstood spirit but has such a vast history and this year Hip Sip’s Battle of the Modern Bartender returns and is looking for the best cocktail featuring this versatile spirit! Are you the bartender or mixologist that is going to answer this call?  

Bartenders will be judged on creativity, use of product, taste, presentation, and flair. Chosen finalists will battle in this fun and exciting competition on Center Stage for the chance to win $1,000, bragging rights, a Q&A with photo in the October 2019 issue of Bar Business Magazine, and a commemorative, glass plaque of the featured article.

We want to see those creative skills so submit your best unique rum cocktail or showcase your best Mojito, Hurricane, El Presidente, Daiquiri, Cubanito, Hemingway Special…the list goes on! Don’t hesitate and showcase those skills today!

• Open to any bartender currently working in the bar, restaurant, or spirits industry (US & International).

• Submissions open on Friday, June 28, 2019 and close on Friday, August 16, 2019. They must be sent to Patricia Copela at patricia.copela@clarionevents.com

• If chosen as a finalist you must be available to compete on the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Center Stage on Sunday, September 15, 2019, from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM.

• Announcement of finalists will be made on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 and will be promoted online for the 5 weeks leading up to the show and then promoted at the show.

• Recipe submissions must be expressed in ounces, drops, or dashes and scaled for a single serving. 

• A video submission, no longer than 1-2 minutes - this is your chance to show your personality and/or flair - can be as simple as having been shot with your smart phone. A photo of the cocktail and recipe are required. Your headshot, full name, title and bar/restaurant affiliation, as well as your bio, should be included. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted. 

• Cocktails will be judged on creativity, use of product, taste, and presentation.

• The base spirit must come from one of the spirit sponsors: 

 ZÍAMI Platinum | Wicked Dolphin - see options listed below for use

The base spirit will be provided for use at the competition. Garnishes and other ingredients are the responsibility of the competitor. 

• There is no cap on how many ingredients per recipe. 

• Homemade ingredients are welcome. 

• Ingredients should be available year-round (nothing too seasonal).  

• Finalists are responsible for travel to the show and, except for the base spirit, which will be provided, for the cost of their ingredients. 

The winning bartender and recipe will be featured on the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show's website, newsletter, and social media channels, and in Bar Business Magazine.
The $1,000 cash prize is provided by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show.