FAQ, RULES, & PRIZES

  • Absolut Heat Streak is a national cocktail competition where competitors step behind a bar station, pull a ticket, and make a round of cocktails featuring Absolut Tabasco while racing against the clock. See Official Rules for more details.

    There are dozens of Absolut Heat Streak events throughout the U.S. The fastest time at each competition wins a trip hosted by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation to visit the brand home of Tabasco: Avery Island, Louisiana.

  • ABSOLUT® TABASCO™ showcases distinct notes of aged chili pepper and vinegar with an underlying sweetness. Enjoy a pleasant and sessionable heat experience that will keep you coming back for more!

  • To be eligible, all participants must:

    • Be a legal resident of the United States

    • Be at least 25 years old as of the date of entry

    • Work in a bar at least 10 hours per week

  • Walk-ins are allowed, but pre-registration is strongly recommended. Pre-registered competitors will receive priority, while walk-ins may compete only as time allows.

  • The competitor with the fastest total time at each event will win a trip to Avery Island, Louisiana—the brand home of Tabasco—including round-trip travel and two nights' accommodation. The trip will take place in September 2026, and is hosted by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. See Official Rules for more details.

    Second and third place finalists at each event will also win prizes.

  • Participants may compete in any city, but may only compete in Absolut Heat Streak one time in 2026. Any participant found to have competed in more than one event will be immediately disqualified.

  • When called to compete, bartenders will:

    1. Step behind the bar and confirm all equipment is present.

    2. Set up their station with tools and glassware (3 minutes).

    3. Raise their hands for the countdown: 3, 2, 1, GO!

    4. Pull their ticket and make the four-drink round shown, using whatever method they choose. Garnishes must be included.

    5. Raise their hands when finished.

    See Official Rules for more details.

  • No—all participants will be required to make the same Bloody Mary recipe.

  • Each competitor will be randomly assigned a round of four cocktails. One will be a Bloody Mary and the other three will be from this list of cocktails.

  • No. All bar tools, glassware, ice, and ingredients will be provided. Please note that competitors may not use their own tools.

    Each competitor will have access to:

    • 4 Shaker tin sets

    • 2 Hawthorne strainers

    • 2 Jiggers

    • 1 Barspoon

    • 1 Bottle opener

    • Speed pourers

    • All necessary ingredients, product, glassware, and garnishes

  • Judges will time each competitor from the moment the countdown ends—3, 2, 1, GO!—to when they raise their hands to signal the round is complete. This is their baseline time. Penalties are then assessed on the following criteria:

    Wash Line Penalty — Were all glasses filled to at least the minimum wash line? +15 seconds per drink below the line.

    Ingredient Penalty — Did the competitor forget an ingredient? +15 seconds per missing ingredient.

    Rolling Penalty — Did the competitor roll the Bloody Mary at least twice? +30 seconds if not.

    Rim Penalty — Did the competitor rim the Bloody Mary? +30 seconds if not.

    Garnish Penalty — Did the competitor garnish every cocktail? +10 seconds per drink without a garnish. No penalty for using lemon instead of lime.

    The competitor with the lowest total time wins. In the event of a tie, tied competitors will complete one additional round under the same rules—the lowest total time wins. There can be only one winner per event.

    See Official Rules for more details.

REGISTER TO COMPETE