ORA Cocktail Shakedown

2023 ORA Cocktail Shakedown! 

• Eligible applicants must be employed by Oklahoma restaurant or food service operators and pay applicable application fees. (ORA members $0 fee; OKCBG members $20 fee; all others $30 fee). Applicants not chosen to compete will be refunded their application fee. All fees must be paid when the initial application recipe is submitted.
• To apply, ORA members must complete the online application including submission of an original recipe. All other applicants contact Jillian Coursey by email at jill@okrestaurants.com.
• All contestants are chosen through an anonymous applicant process based on originality and creativity of their recipe. Those chosen to compete will not be required to prepare the submitted recipe, but they may prepare the recipe if the opportunity presents itself during the competition.
• Competitors are not officially accepted until the Oklahoma Restaurant Association emails a “notice of acceptance” to competitors.
• Only one (1) bartender per physical property may compete in the event.
• Competitors must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application with valid photo identification.

• The recipe must be an original cocktail created by the contestant.
• No open flame or blenders whatsoever.
• In all heats, bartenders must make enough to pour four (4) identical drinks.
• Cocktails must have a minimum of three (3) ingredients; one (1) must be liquor or liqueur base including the heat’s mandated spirit.   
• Ice is not considered an ingredient.
• Garnishes that affect the flavor of the drink are considered one ingredient.

• A standard bar setup will be supplied.
• The bartender must use only the spirits and other products that are available at the Shakedown bar and may not bring a beverage, other products or bar tools of any kind to the contest.
• Products and ingredients supplied will remain a mystery until the day of the competition.
• Ice will be supplied and can only be scooped or used whole to create the cocktail and/or ice the glassware.
• The liquor pantry will be set by the Oklahoma Restaurant Association prior to the competition and reset after each heat.
• Competition management will clean and reset each bar after each contestant. Contestants are asked to assist in this cleanup. 
• Competitors will have five (5) minutes to arrange the bottles, store-n-pours, tools, and props in their station.
• All competitors must make enough to pour four (4) identical drinks. 

• Competition is open to a limited number of competitors who complete the online registration form and submit qualifying recipes.
• The competition takes place from approximately 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Confirmed contestants must arrive in the competition room at 10:00 am. At this time, contestants will be taken through orientation and names will be drawn for heat assignments.
• No blenders, no frozen drinks, no open flames! This is not a flare competition.
• A bar of spirits will be provided by the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and partners.
• Competitors will be required to prepare (4) identical cocktails.
• Competitors will be given a two (2) minute warning before the end of each heat.
• Competitors will be judged on Taste and Balance, Simplicity, Originality, Drink Presentation & Stage Presentation.
• Judges will be comprised of industry professionals and media. Judges’ decisions are final.
• Winners in each Round are determined by total points.
• The competitors with the highest scores in Round I will advance to Round II, and Round II’s highest scorers will advance to the Championship Round.
• There will be a First and Second Place winner based on the scores attained in the Championship Round.
• Rules are subject to change.

• This round is a mandated PARTNER SPIRIT BRAND Competition.
• All cocktails must have a minimum of three (3) ingredients; one (1) MUST be the PARTNER SPIRIT BRAND.
• All competitors will have 5 minutes to pre-set their bar station.
• All competitors will have 10 minutes to prepare 4 identical cocktails and garnishes.
• The (4) highest-scoring competitors from each round will move on to the next round.

• This round is a mandated PARTNER SPIRIT BRAND Competition.
• All cocktails must have a minimum of three (3) ingredients; one (1) MUST be the PARTNER SPIRIT BRAND.
• All competitors will have 5 minutes to pre-set their bar station.
• All competitors will have 10 minutes to prepare 4 identical cocktails and garnishes.
• The (2) highest-scoring competitors from each round will move on to the Championship Round.

• This round is a mandated PARTNER SPIRIT BRAND Competition.
• All cocktails must have a minimum of three (3) ingredients One (1) must be liquor or liqueur base. 
• All bartenders will have 10 minutes to pre-set their bar station.
• All bartenders will have 5 minutes to prepare (4) identical cocktails and garnishes.
• Scores will be wiped clean in the Championship Round.
• The Champion and Runner-Up will be awarded based on the scores attained in the Championship Round.
• In the event of a tie, total scores from all three rounds will be tallied to determine the Champion. If a tie still persists, the Champion will be determined by total points for Taste & Balance, then total points for Stage Presentation.