Torres Brandy launches Zero Challenge for sustainable bar initiatives

Torres Brandy has launched Zero Challenge, a contest designed to promote environmental awareness in mixology.

The competition calls on bar managers and bartenders around the world to submit their sustainable bar initiatives in an effort to promote a new mind-set in mixology that prioritises the environment. The Torres Brandy Zero Challenge is the first international competition to present an award to the world’s most sustainable cocktail bar project.

Professionals from ten countries will compete in two elimination rounds, first on a national and then international level. In order to win, they will have to demonstrate how to run a cocktail bar with the lowest possible environmental impact and create the most innovative eco-cocktail. The winning entry will receive a cash prize of €25,000 to be used on the project and another €5,000 for the person presenting the initiative.

The participating countries include Canada, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. The selected projects from each country will compete in their respective national finals, which will be held between November 2021 and February 2022. The ten national champions will then face off in the grand international final held in late March in Barcelona, a sustainable cosmopolitan city with a vibrant and innovative cocktail scene.

The jury will evaluate the projects based on how committed they are to minimising their environmental impact through the use of renewable energy, waste management, environmentally-friendly design, innovation, and social responsibility. When judging the eco-cocktail, the jury will take into account the use of local ingredients and seasonal products, waste management, flavour, creativity, and craft.

Torres Brandy first introduced the competition in 2020 but was forced to postpone it due to the pandemic. Driven by its environmental commitment, the spirits producer now revives the challenge in order to promote sustainable, low-impact alternatives in the cocktail world, which will help reduce carbon emissions and waste generation.

All entries must be submitted before 31 October at www.torresbrandyzerochallenge.com.