Never Never Distilling Co have started a cocktail competition unlike what you’re used to.
The Never Never Have I Ever Bartender Challenge is a seven week event, with weekly tasks for competitors to video themselves attempting in the most creative and entertaining way they can.
Last week was the first round of the challenge, with competitors asked to propel a piece of ice into a vessel. The winning video was announced last night, and featured South Australians Ben Adlington from Doc Adams and Josh Jarvis from Flights Gin Bar, who are also part of Inbound Creative.
The video was commended not only for its production quality, which was incredible, but also the skill to sink a piece of ice from a balcony into the glass several metres away.
Announcing the winner last night, Never Never’s Co-founder and Brand Director, Sean Baxter said: “There were lots of different recreations, there were lots of different interpretations, which is exactly what we want, however, sometimes simplicity wins.”
“The boys did a great job with the throw, and the throw was amazing – from the roof, straight into the glass, even just one of those tiny little rocks glasses, absolutely nailed it.”
View this post on Instagram
The prize for this week was a case of Never Never Triple Juniper Gin and a case of Fever Tree Tonic, with runner ups also receiving a bottle of gin. All entrants also received discount codes for a Never Never and Fever Tree pack from their online store.
It’s now the second week of the challenge, and the task is to: “recreate your best Friday night service in your own kitchen. Most impressive recreation wins.”
Entrants are encouraged to think laterally and be entertaining, while also staying at home and not inviting any mates over to help them out. Remember, social distancing guidelines still apply!
To enter, film your attempt in a video no longer than 30 seconds and upload on social media with the hashtags #NeverNeverHaveIEver and #BartendedForMyPlants, as well as emailing it to Never Never so it can go into their montage.
The prize this week is $150 worth of food and drinks from one of Never Never’s partner venues across the country, which currently includes Sydney’s Maybe Frank and Maybe Sammy, Melbourne’s Black Pearl, Brisbane’s Alba Bar and Dining, and many other great venues across the country.
There is also an ongoing leaderboard over the seven weeks, with the final winner at the end receiving the grand prize – a trip for two to South Australia for the relaunch of Never Never’s venue, after pandemic restrictions have been lifted in Australia.
For more information about the challenge, see the Never Never website here. See all the entrants from week one below.
Header image: Still from the Inbound Creative winning video.
This story was originally published on Bars and Clubs.