Submit your cocktail recipe entry for the 2nd Annual Great Jones Manhattan Cocktail Competition presented by Great Jones and VinePair from August 15th, 2025 - September 15th, 2025.
This competition is now closed.
THE GRAND PRIZE
$5,000 Plus a feature on VinePair.com!
Manhattan’s Manhattan
Cocktail Competition
PRESENTED BY
ENTER NOW
Great Jones Distilling Co. is Manhattan’s first and only whiskey distillery since Prohibition, proudly producing 100% New York whiskey, crafted from Hudson Valley-sourced grains and water.
Born from a desire to embody the best that New York has to offer, from the vibrancy of Manhattan to the freshest produce from upstate, Great Jones celebrates New York in all its greatness and grit.
Grown, distilled, and aged in the Empire State, Great Jones whiskeys are imbued with the spirit of New York throughout every step of the process.
GREAT JONES WHISKEY
Great Jones Distilling Co. invites you to celebrate all that New York has to offer, with your twist on a Manhattan cocktail. Craft a drink that embodies the spirit of New York, and your own personality and flair.
THE ASSIGNMENT
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS [VIRTUAL]
August 15th - September 15th, 2025
SEMI FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
October 1st, 2025
FINALE
November 18th, 2025
Live event at the Great Jones Distillery in New York, NY.
Great jones BRAND IMMERSION DAY
October 7th, 2025
Showcase a unique spin on the classic Manhattan cocktail recipe
Contain no more than 2.5 ounces. (at 40% ABV) total combined alcoholic ingredients
Not exceed 6 ounces in total volume of ingredients
Contain at least 1.5 ounces of Great Jones Whiskey (Straight Bourbon or Rye Whiskey)
The cocktail must be able to be replicated at a standard bar.
Include an image of your finished cocktail and an explanation of the New York-themed inspiration or your thought process behind the cocktail
Whiskeys outside of Proximo’s whiskey portfolio are prohibited from use in your cocktail. You can view the full portfolio here. Non-whiskey spirits, liqueurs, etc. from brand portfolios outside of Proximo are allowed. For the avoidance of doubt, this applies only for the purpose of this Contest and does not affect the purchasing decisions or other business or operational decisions of any alcohol beverage retail licensee.
The competition is open to professional bartenders who are legal and current residents of the Greater New York City Area, including the states of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey.
REQUIREMENTS
JUDGING CRITERIA
Creative Brief — 20 Points: Does the cocktail fit the creative brief?
Use of Great Jones Straight Bourbon and/or Rye Whiskey — 20 Points: Does the entrant use Great Jones in a way that celebrates or highlights it?
Craft — 15 points: Has the entrant demonstrated precise and accurate technique?
Knowledge — 15 Points: How clearly has the cocktail been inspired by Great Jones Whiskey and New York? Has the entrant demonstrated their knowledge of the brand?
Appearance — 10 Points: How appealing does this cocktail look?
Flavor — 20 Points: How flavorful and balanced is the prepared cocktail? Also, consider the taste, texture, and aroma of the cocktail.
HOW TO ENTER
Read the official rules and requirements linked here and below.
Craft a Great Jones Manhattan cocktail that is evocative of your personality, showcases your skills and qualities as a bartender, and highlights the spirit of New York. The recipe must include at least 1.5 ounces of Great Jones Straight Bourbon and/ or Rye Whiskey.
Write a few sentences explaining your thought process and methods behind your cocktail, how it relates to you and/or how it relates to the creative brief.
Snap a picture of your cocktail — you’ll need it to enter!
Fill out the form below with your information and your submission.
That’s it! You will be contacted no later than October 1st, 2025 if you have been selected to move forward.
DETAILS
Submissions are completely digital, and are open to anyone working in the tri-state area.
12 competitors will be selected to move forward to the Semi-Finals round. In this round, Great Jones judges will taste each cocktail either at the contestant’s bar, or at Great Jones Distillery.
5 total finalists will be selected to move forward to the Finale. One finalist will be determined via a consumer vote, and four finalists will be determined by the judges.
1 winner of the Finale competition will win a cash prize of $5,000 USD and a feature on VinePair.com.
Full Legal Rules & Entry Requirements
ENTER NOW
©2025 Great Jones Distilling Co., greatjonesdistillingco.com. Please drink responsibly.
DETAILS
Submissions are completely digital, and are open to anyone working in the tri-state area.
20 competitors will be selected to move forward to the Semi-Finals round. In this round, Great Jones judges will taste each cocktail either at the contestant’s bar, or at Great Jones Distillery.
5 total finalists will be selected to move forward to the Finale. One finalist will be determined via a consumer vote, and four finalists will be determined by the judges.
1 winner of the Finale competition will win a cash prize of $5,000 USD and a feature on VinePair.com.
HOW TO ENTER
Read the official rules and requirements linked here and below.
Craft a Great Jones Manhattan cocktail that is evocative of your personality, showcases your skills and qualities as a bartender, and highlights the spirit of New York. The recipe must include at least 1.5 ounces of Great Jones Whiskey.
Write a few sentences explaining your thought process and methods behind your cocktail, how it relates to you and/or how it relates to the creative brief.
Snap a picture of your cocktail — you’ll need it to enter!
Fill out the form below with your information and your submission.
That’s it! You will be contacted no later than October 1st, 2025 if you have been selected to move forward.
MEET THE JUDGES
ADAM TEETER
Adam founded VinePair with Josh with one simple goal: create a publication he actually wanted to read in a space he was extremely passionate about. Since founding the publication Adam has become recognized as an authority on how to make the drinks world accessible to everyone as well as on the ever evolving media landscape. He is the winner of the Left Bank Bordeaux Cup American Wine-Tasting Championship and holds an MBA from NYU Stern.
Matt KleTte
Matt's journey with whiskey isn't just professional—it's personal. Growing up amidst the rolling hills and storied distilleries of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, he developed a deep-seated love for Whiskey and the art of cocktails. His passion has taken him around the globe, speaking and consulting on various projects . He currently leads the Advocacy program at Proximo Spirits, spreading the word about award winning and historic agave, as well as whiskey. Follow him: @matt_klette
MEAGHAN DORMAN
Meaghan Dorman is currently the Bar Director & partner of New York City’s Raines Law Room (2009), Raines Law Room at the William (2014), Dear Irving (2014) and Dear Irving on Hudson (2019) & Dear Irving on Broadway (2024). The bars have become essential cocktail stops in NYC, and received recognition from World’s 50 Best: North America, Tales of the Cocktail and Esquire Magazine’s “Best Bars”. A passionate team builder and creative force, Meaghan was a Top 4 finalist for 2022 & 2025 Tales of the Cocktail Best American Bar Mentor. Meaghan was named Imbibe Magazine 2016 “Bartender of the Year” and has been profiled by the New York Times for the unique success of her venues. She was a finalist in the 2013 International G’Vine Gin Connoisseur Program, taking home the “Best Technical Skills” award. Meaghan was a 2013 inductee in TOTC’s Dames Hall of Fame and co-founded the annual TOTC Catalyst Luncheon. A supporter of charity-focused hospitality events, Meaghan is a veteran judge and volunteer for Speed Rack and has served as Spirits Chair of Citymeals on Wheels Chef’s Tribute annual fundraiser. Tenets of Meaghan’s bar programs are consistency & collaboration, leading to dynamic teams and nightly bar magic.
CELINA PEREZ
Celina Perez is the Head Distiller at Great Jones Distilling Company where she manages spirit production including fermentations, distillation, blending, and new product development. She builds and optimizes distillation systems, programs PID loop automation, process engineering and design, and runs all operations on a 9000 gallon fermentation capacity distillery in the heart of New York City. Originally from San Francisco, she has received awards for her work from the American Distilling Institute as well as being a speaker at their annual conference in 2013. Her more recent appearances include being on a panel at the NY State Barley and Malt Summit at the Cornell Culinary Institute in 2022, participating on a Q&A panel for the NYSDG on the history of NY Distilling, as well as a speaking on a panel about Empire Rye and Farm Distilling with other local NY State distilleries in 2023. Celina is a graduate from NYU with a Bachelor’s in Science and has over thirteen years of experience working on all levels of distillation production from planning to construction to implementation and from grain to barrel to bottle.
JUDGES TO BE ANNOUNCED – STAY TUNED!
ADAM TEETER
Adam founded VinePair with Josh with one simple goal: create a publication he actually wanted to read in a space he was extremely passionate about. Since founding the publication Adam has become recognized as an authority on how to make the drinks world accessible to everyone as well as on the ever evolving media landscape. He is the winner of the Left Bank Bordeaux Cup American Wine-Tasting Championship and holds an MBA from NYU Stern.
Matt Klete
Matt's journey with whiskey isn't just professional—it's personal. Growing up amidst the rolling hills and storied distilleries of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, he developed a deep-seated love for Whiskey and the art of cocktails. His passion has taken him around the globe, speaking and consulting on various projects . He currently leads the Advocacy program at Proximo Spirits, spreading the word about award winning and historic agave, as well as whiskey. Follow him: @matt_klette
