The Official
The Serve of The Open is no ordinary cocktail competition — it’s a call to bartenders across the UK to capture the essence of The Open’s host town in a single, unforgettable serve. Each year, one winning creation becomes The Official Serve of The Open, served to thousands at golf’s most iconic championship, with the bold character of Ben Lomond Gin at its heart.
To help inspire this year’s entries, Elsie, Drinks Development Lead at Luss Distillery and judge of The Official Serve of The Open competition, has crafted a blog sharing her top tips for creating a standout serve and impressing the judges.
COCKTAIL CREATION
Your serve must feature Ben Lomond Gin as the star ingredient, celebrating its bold, balanced and versatile flavour. There's no right or wrong way when it comes to serving Ben Lomond Gin, only your way. We encourage creative freedom and experimentation to make your drink your own.
NAME AND STORY
Your cocktail needs a name and a story. Tell us what inspired your creation, how it connects to the host town, and why it deserves to be The Open's official serve. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and passion for mixology.
ENTRY DETAILS
Entries must be submitted online by the closing date. Include your cocktail recipe, name, story, and a high-quality image of your creation. Make sure your entry stands out and captures the essence of The Open's host town.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Our expert panel will judge entries based on creativity, taste, presentation, and how well the cocktail represents the host town and The Open's spirit. The winning serve will be featured at The Open and served to thousands of golf fans.
PRIZES
The winner will receive recognition as the creator of The Open's Official Serve, with global visibility tied to a world-class sporting event, £750 cash prize, a Ben Lomond Gin hamper, and 2 x VIP tickets, hospitality and accommodation at The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED, THANK YOU FOR ENTERING
Entrants must be over 18
Entrants must reside in the UK
Must use core Ben Lomond Gin as the base spirit
More than one entry per person is permitted
Online entries open on Friday 3rd April at 10am (GMT) and close on Friday 1st May at 6pm (GMT) 2026
Finalists will be contacted on/by Monday 4th May
Finalist candidates must be present at the Final in order to compete
Overall winner will be announced at the Final
Return transport to the Final will be provided from a central Glasgow location