Ben Lomond Gin, the Official Gin of The Open, has launched its annual nationwide competition to find the Official Serve of The Open ahead of The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. The initiative, now in its third year, invites both professional bartenders and amateur cocktail creators to submit original serves for a chance to feature on the drinks menu at golf’s original championship.
The winning cocktail will be served at the Ben Lomond Gin Garden, the Loch Lomond Whiskies bar, and selected R&A stands during the tournament, which takes place July 12–19.
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For the first time, the competition has been extended beyond professional bartenders to include members of the public. Amateur mixologists can submit their creations through a dedicated website portal on the Ben Lomond Gin site.
Cocktails will be judged on taste, creativity, the story behind the serve, and scalability for a major international event. Ben Lomond Gin must take center stage in all entries, though competitors are encouraged to experiment with bold flavors and imaginative ingredients.
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Elsie Cinnamond, Drinks Development Lead at Luss Distillery, said: "Our Official Serve of The Open campaign has been hugely successful in the past, and we’re excited to open it up even further this year by inviting both professional bartenders and those with a passion for mixology to take part."
"Taste is obviously important, but at Ben Lomond Gin we believe the greatest serves come with a great story, and we are always excited to hear inspiration behind each cocktail," Cinnamond added.
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READ THE STORY"Encouraging people to embrace their adventurous spirit is at the heart of what we do. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy our gins, and we love seeing people experiment and discover the serves that feel right for them."
Selected finalists will compete at a dedicated judging event at the newly opened Luss Distillery, presenting their creations to a panel of expert judges. Public entrants will be notified by Monday, May 4, if they have secured a place in the final round.
The premium Scottish gin brand has served as the Official Gin of The Open since 2023. The Open is golf’s original championship, bringing together the world’s best players to compete for the coveted Claret Jug.
Beyond having their serve featured at Royal Birkdale, the winner will receive VIP tickets to The Open with overnight accommodation, a Ben Lomond Gin hamper, and a cash prize.
