Rising Stars Competition 2025: Sipping Memories

2025 brings another year for Marriott’s Rising Stars, where they will be tried and tested on their creativity, relating a cocktail creation to a story from the past. They will be asked to explore the rich tapestry of nostalgia—a journey through cherished childhood memories, untold brand stories, and the colourful histories of our Hotels, bars and cocktails. 

Letting their creativity transport us to the places, flavours, and moments that shaped who we are today.

We are looking for 8 finalists to join us in France, from the Crème de la crème of Marriott International EMEA Beverage team’s, where they will have a cultural, educational and exciting experience, with challenges, experiences & brand masterclasses, with our partners Codigo 1530 & Pernod Ricard. Culminating in a Grande Finale, where we crown our 2025 Rising Star.

Your Cocktail Creation

Explore the rich tapestry of nostalgia—a journey through cherished childhood memories, untold brand stories, and the colourful histories of our Hotels, bars and cocktails. Let your creativity transport us to the places, flavours, and moments that shaped who we are today.

Objective: Craft a cocktail that tells a story, rooted in nostalgia. Your drink should focus on one of the below

• Evoke childhood memories through flavours, presentation, or concept.
• Pay homage to the history of the bar you represent, or the legacy of a Pernod Ricard brand.
• Celebrate the origin stories of Marriott brands or cocktails.

Submissions should include a Sustainable element, Modern Techniques & take into account Global trends.

Using one of our Partner Brands

Guidelines

• Each entrant will need to design a cocktail using at least one closed loop sustainable ingredient, inspired by a Story rooted in Nostalgia.

• Cocktail names should not use lewd or offensive language

• A Minimum of 30ml of one of the Supporting brands must be used; Codigo 1530 Tequila, Chivas Regal, Monkey 47, Martell, Absolut or Lillet

• A Maximum of 7 ingredients to be used in cocktails. (Garnishes do not count as an ingredient.)

• AI is not to be used in Recipe creation or image creation.

Competition Details

Begin your two trainings today; Bar world of tomorrow & Bar Smarts HERE

You will receive a digital certificate of completion once accomplished, to upload on your submission. (If you completed these previously, use your certificate from before)

Then upload your submission HERE

Post your drink on Social Media, using ‘#RisingStars2025’ and tagging the Partner brand you used.

After submission you will need to promote your drink in your venue, sell it as a ‘Special’ offering for a minimum of 4 weeks, and promote in your hotel & on Social Media, using your venues channels in a Reel or with Photos. (IMPORTANT - There is strict music guidelines for Marriott International Channels, please see below for more details)

Deadline for entries is 23:59 CET on 30^th March 2025

All entrants must be above the legal alcohol age in their country of residence & a minimum of 18 years old.

Finalists must be able to travel to France late September - early October 2025

Finalists must have a valid passport if required to travel to Schengen region.

Finalists must be able to obtain a Schengen VISA if required.

Entrants must complete the Bar world of Tomorrow & Barsmarts training before cocktail entry.

Music Guidelines

Marriott International Hotel & Venue Social media channels are only allowed to use specific licensed music, from Songtradr.com If you have an account, please use this to download and use any music from their library. If you do not have access speak to your Marketing team, or use one of the recommended clips below.

Download clip 1 here          Download clip 5 here 

Download clip 2 here          Download clip 6 here

Download clip 3 here          Download clip 7 here

Download clip 4 here

Examples Reels from 2024:

Example 1          Example 2          Example 3
 

Finalist Selection (Judging) Process

• Closed Loop application- 30 Points

• Inspiration/Story- 25 Points

• Drink Name- 5 Points

• Taste & Presentation- 25 Points

• Technique- 15 Points

Finalist Judges

3 Judges from Marriott International EMEA & Drinks Specialist from Pernod Ricard Global

Entry Submission

• The window for entry submission is now open and can be accessed from the homepage.

• Now open, the submission window will be available until 23:59  on 30^th March 2025.

What Now?

1. Complete both of your trainings

• Bar World of Tomorrow HERE

• Bar Smarts HERE - Use Password: MARRIOTTSMARTS

2. Begin to consider and plan your cocktail creation – make time with your manager to ideate and refine your ideas together.

3. Enter your submission & upload both certificates of completion. HERE

4. Post your drink on Social Media, using ‘#RisingStars2025’ and tagging the Partner brand you used.

5. After submission you will need to promote your drink in your venue, sell it as a ‘Special’ offering for a minimum of 4 weeks, and promote in your hotel & on Social Media, using your venues channels in a Reel or with Photos. (IMPORTANT - There is strict music guidelines for Marriott International Channels)