COMPETITION RULES 2026
Cocktail Competition Epicureans Spirit – L’Essence du Gin
1. Organizer
The cocktail competition is organized by Epicureans Spirit, a French spirits brand, as part of the L’Essence du Gin & des Spiritueux event.
For any questions relating to the competition, participants may contact the organizer at:
contact@epicureans-spirit.com
2. Purpose of the Competition
The aim of the competition is to invite professional bartenders and barmaids to create an original cocktail recipe using Epicureans Spirit French Gastronomic Gin, based on the theme:
“Le Terroir Français” / “The French Terroir”
Participants are invited to explore the richness, diversity and elegance of French terroir through mixology, with a creative, gastronomic and refined approach.
3. Eligibility
The competition is open exclusively to professional bartenders and barmaids aged 18 or over, currently working in a bar, hotel or restaurant.
Participants must be based in France and must be available to attend the final in person on Sunday, 20 September, at Lille Grand Palais, as part of the L’Essence du Gin & des Spiritueux event.
Each participant may submit only one cocktail recipe.
Participation in the competition is free of charge.
Selected finalists must travel to the final at Lille Grand Palais by their own means. Travel, accommodation and any other related expenses shall remain at their own cost.
The organizer reserves the right to request any supporting documents required to verify the participant’s professional activity and/or professional activity in France.
4. Registration Terms
To participate, candidates must complete the registration form available on the Epicureans Spirit website.
The registration form must include the requested information, including:
- Last name
- First name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Instagram account
- Profession
- Establishment name
- Confirmation of availability for the final
- Consent for the use of the recipe, image and communication materials related to the participant’s entry
Participants must also submit their cocktail recipe and explain how it responds to the theme “Le Terroir Français” / “The French Terroir.”
Any incomplete, inaccurate or late registration, or any registration that does not comply with the eligibility requirements, may be rejected by the organizer.
5. Competition Timeline
The competition will follow the timeline below:
- Registration deadline: before 31 July
- Deadline for receipt of cocktail creations: 10 August
- Announcement of finalists: no later than 1 September
- Final: Sunday, 20 September, at Lille Grand Palais
The organizer reserves the right to modify these dates if circumstances require it.
6. Selection of Finalists
The submitted recipes will be reviewed by the organizer and/or a pre-selection jury.
Finalists will be selected according to several criteria, including:
- Respect of the theme “Le Terroir Français” / “The French Terroir”
- Creativity and originality of the recipe
- Taste balance of the cocktail
- Quality of the recipe
- Enhancement of Epicureans Spirit French Gastronomic Gin
- Feasibility of the recipe
- Overall presentation and storytelling
Selected finalists will be contacted by email and/or phone.
If a selected finalist is unavailable, the organizer reserves the right to select another participant.
7. Final Round
The finalists will present and prepare their cocktail live during the final, which will take place on Sunday, 20 September, during the L’Essence du Gin & des Spiritueux event in Lille.
Finalists must be present on site at the time communicated by the organizer.
Each finalist will prepare their cocktail in front of the jury and may be invited to explain their inspiration, ingredients, preparation method and the link between their creation and the competition theme.
The organizer will provide the necessary quantity of Epicureans Spirit French Gastronomic Gin for the final. Other ingredients, garnishes, homemade preparations or specific tools may be at the finalist’s expense, unless otherwise agreed with the organizer.
Finalists must prepare the cocktail submitted at the time of registration during the final. No significant modification to the recipe, including changes to the main ingredients, proportions, preparation method or general concept, may be made without the organizer’s prior approval. Minor adjustments to presentation or garnish may be accepted, provided they do not alter the overall identity of the cocktail.
8. Jury
The jury will be composed of professionals from the spirits, gastronomy and media industries.
The announced jury includes, among others:
- Joseph Freiha
- Mathieu Boutroy
- Laurence Marot
- Damien Bertrand
The organizer reserves the right to modify the composition of the jury if necessary.
The jury’s decisions shall be final, definitive and may not be challenged.
9. Judging Criteria
During the final, cocktails may be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Respect of the theme “Le Terroir Français” / “The French Terroir”
- Taste and balance
- Creativity and originality
- Visual presentation
- Technical execution
- Storytelling and explanation of the recipe
- Enhancement of Epicureans Spirit French Gastronomic Gin
The jury may use a scoring grid defined by the organizer.
10. Prize
The winner of the competition will benefit from a visibility and communication package, including:
- A 4-page feature in the third edition of “50 Cocktails for Gin Lovers”, published in France and internationally
- A double-page spread dedicated to the winning cocktail, including its vision, creation and recipe
- A double-page spread dedicated to the winning bartender, including their portrait, story, universe, visuals and a link to their work
- Visibility on Epicureans Spirit’s communication channels
- Integration of the winning cocktail into the Epicureans Spirit universe
- A bottle of Epicureans Spirit French Gastronomic Gin
- An official certificate confirming the victory in the Epicureans Spirit Cocktail Competition – L’Essence du Gin
The exact presentation, layout, publication date and communication materials used shall remain at the discretion of the organizer.
The prize is personal, non-transferable and may not be exchanged for any financial compensation.
11. Image Rights and Communication
By participating in the competition, participants authorize Epicureans Spirit and its partners to use their last name, first name, professional title, establishment name, image, voice, photograph, video, cocktail recipe and any content related to their participation, as part of the communication surrounding the competition.
This use may include, in particular:
- Websites
- Social media
- Press releases
- Printed materials
- Event materials
- Videos and photographs
- The publication “50 Cocktails for Gin Lovers”
This authorization is granted free of charge, worldwide, for a period of 5 years, solely for the purpose of promoting the competition, Epicureans Spirit, the L’Essence du Gin & des Spiritueux event and the winning creation.
12. Rights Related to the Recipes
Participants remain the authors of their cocktail recipes.
However, by participating in the competition, they authorize Epicureans Spirit to reproduce, publish, share, photograph, film, adapt for communication purposes and promote their cocktail recipe.
This authorization includes the use of the recipe on Epicureans Spirit’s digital, printed, event and editorial materials, including, but not limited to, the website, social media, press materials and the publication “50 Cocktails for Gin Lovers.”
Participants guarantee that their recipe is original and does not infringe the rights of any third party.
13. Personal Data
The personal data collected through the registration form is necessary for the management of the competition, communication with participants, selection of finalists and organization of the final.
The data collected may include, in particular: last name, first name, email address, phone number, Instagram account, profession and establishment name.
This data will be used only in connection with the competition and related communication.
Participants may request access to, rectification or deletion of their personal data by contacting the organizer at:
contact@epicureans-spirit.com
14. Participant Responsibilities
Participants undertake to provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information when registering.
They also undertake to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, particularly those relating to alcohol, responsible consumption, food safety and professional conduct.
Participants undertake not to submit any content that is unlawful, offensive, defamatory, discriminatory or infringes the rights of third parties.
15. Responsible Consumption
The competition involves the use of alcoholic beverages and is intended exclusively for adults of legal drinking age.
Participants undertake to promote responsible consumption and to comply with the applicable rules governing alcohol-related communication.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Please drink responsibly.
16. Modification, Postponement or Cancellation
The organizer reserves the right to modify, postpone, suspend or cancel the competition, in whole or in part, if circumstances beyond its control make this necessary.
The organizer may not be held liable in the event of modification, postponement, suspension or cancellation of the competition for reasons beyond its control.
17. Acceptance of the Rules
Participation in the competition implies full and unconditional acceptance of these rules.
Any breach of these rules may result in the disqualification of the participant concerned.
18. Governing Law
These rules are governed by French law.
Any dispute relating to the competition shall first be subject to an attempt at amicable resolution with the organizer.
