Step into the Never Never is back for its second year, a cocktail competition that celebrates flavour and gives bartenders of all backgrounds the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime never never experience.

The Step Into the Never Never Cocktail Competition is our opportunity to shine a spotlight on the next generation of talented Aussie bartenders, and to explore exciting flavours, and celebrate our incredible industry - an industry that has been challenged more than most over the last few years.

One of our core values at Never Never is to always celebrate hospitality. So what better way to do that than by bringing people together from across the country and doing what we do best - creating delicious cocktails and lasting memories.

We are searching for some of the tastiest drinks in New Zealand and rewarding the bartenders who make them with an all-expenses trip to visit our brand home in McLaren Vale. The winners will participate in epic bartender challenges for cash prizes and experience everything that our city has to offer.

You’re going to dine in amazing restaurants and drink in incredible bars with some of Australia’s most exciting bartending talent - all set during the eccentric madness of the 2023 Adelaide Fringe Festival.

important dates

ENTER YOUR DRINKS & Menu BY 15.08

MENU LIVE IN-VENUE 15.08 - 19.09

WINNERS ANNOUNCED 25.09

The Challenge

This competition is all about showing the versatility of Triple Juniper Gin and the exciting flavour of our Grenache Gin ‘Ginache’. They make some of the tastiest gin and tonics and shine in classic cocktails. You will need to create two drinks and promote these drinks in your venue using a menu that you will design.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Create a drink for your venue from each of the below categories.

'The Gin For Your Tonic'

A gin and tonic utilising Triple Juniper Gin, tonic, and garnish.

'Seek More Flavour'

A cocktail using three core ingredients. Including EITHER Triple Juniper Gin OR our Grenache Gin, Ginache.

2. Feature these drinks in your venue for 5 weeks.

Present your drinks on a menu within your venue. Share these on social media and submit a photo of your menu to us. All menus must be live for a minimum of 5 weeks from May 9th through to June 17th.

3. Share your drinks on Instagram or Facebook.

Make sure to tag us @neverneverdistilling #stepintothenevernever

4. Submit your entries via the Never Never Website.

Enter your G&T, cocktail, and your menu via the online entry form below.

>>CLICK HERE TO ENTER YOUR COCKTAILS & MENU<<

The Prize

Here at Never Never, we’re all about celebrating hospitality. We’re bringing bartenders from all around Australia (and New Zealand) down to Adelaide during the excitement of the Fringe Festival to show you the flavour of our great state. From the rooftops and marketplaces of Adelaide to its most exciting new bars, restaurants, and wine regions, you will be doing it all.

During the day, our bartender challenges will allow you to flex your skills for cash prizes in some of Adelaide’s most iconic locations. During the evenings, you'll experience everything that Adelaide’s Fringe Festival and food and drink scene has to offer.

We will fly you to Adelaide from your part of the world in March 2023. You’ll visit our Never Never distillery in McLaren Vale, meet and speak with some incredible industry mentors and get to taste all the flavours of South Australia. Well, as many as we can squeeze into three days.

The Challenges are aimed at not only testing your skill but also having a good time while you’re doing it. There is no overall winner or accumulative point system, no one leaves any more a winner than anyone else. The prize is just making it here.

South Australia’s Prize

Obviously, if you live in Adelaide the idea of you flying to our city is hardly a cool incentive (although eating and drinking in our favourite restaurants and bars will be). We’re obviously still going to include you in the competition however the regional prize for South Australia is that we will fly you to Sydney to represent Never Never Distilling Co. and the good state of South Australia at Sydney Bar Week. The prize will include flights, accommodation for two nights, and an amazing opportunity to showcase your awesomeness.

Venue Prize

Every winning venue will also receive a case of Triple Juniper Gin. This is our way of compensating the venue and covering the cost of having a staff member absent for a Monday and Tuesday night service.

Also, a local Proof & Company member will visit your venue and deliver a crisp high five.

The Geographies

We will be accepting entrants from the following geographies and selecting one winner from each: