Step into the Never Never is celebrating the distillery’s 10th year (cue the party hats) with celebrity chefs, curated cocktails and one heck of a prize.
The Step Into The Never Never Bartender Challenge is back and this year it’s never been easier for bartenders around Australia to get involved in the competition.
The search is on for the very best examples of a three-ingredient cocktail in your state, but there’s a slight tweak to the entry criteria from previous years.
This year bartenders only need to create ONE cocktail that contains three ingredients and promote this drink in their venue during the month of August.
“The three ingredient cocktail has always been at the heart of the competition, so we were always going to stay true to this industry leveler,” says Never Never Co-Founder Sean Baxter, “for me if you can balance three ingredients, you’re well on your way to making a mark.”
“Tall, short, on the rocks, straight up, a frappe or a fizz, just make it fun, make it memorable, make it delicious,” says Sean. “Three ingredients might feel restrictive but we’re throwing in the ‘free pantry’ of ingredients like previous years.
Cue up the MasterChef eye roll.
It will also be the first year that Signature Vodka will be included, opening up a whole new range of cocktail options.
“With vodka added to our portfolio, it brings in a whole new category of cocktails into the mix,” says Sean. “Maybe a Bloody Mary twist will be the trend this year? Or something equally as savoury.”
Having to make only one drink certainly makes entering a little easier, however it’s sure to raise the stakes in terms of quality entries.
“This year, we want to see entries from the very best that the country has to offer, but you’ve still got to have it live in August for your chance to win your state,” says Sean.
Never Never wants to see a cocktail that embodies their Fearless Spirit and taste for adventure. That theme might be conveyed in the ingredients you select, the inspiration that guided you, the way it is served or how it’s promoted in venue. “We want to see how you excite customers seeking something flavourful and adventurous.”
Six state/territory winners and two wild card entries from across Australia will join the Never Never team for three days in Adelaide and McLaren Vale for a money-can’t-buy flavour experience unlike anything the team has put together before.
Joining the six winners will be the winner of the best menu and promotion, and the bartender who sold the most drinks during the campaign.
Every year the prize trip continues to get bigger and better, where bartenders get to truly experience and epic flavour adventure.
To celebrate Never Never’s ten year anniversary, this year’s prize promises to be even bigger with a once in a lifetime lunch served by Salopiann Inn savant Karen Armstrong with guests arriving by helicopter at a special location.
To win, competitors must harness their creativity and focus on what makes a drink simply delicious without going overboard on ingredients.
“Competitors need to create a cocktail that truly celebrates flavour in its simplest format, while still expressing the fearlessness that a three ingredient challenge inspires,” says Sean.
“You will need to create a drink that creates a little magic – it needs to be exciting, and capture people’s attention but still feel effortless,” says Sean.
“We want a drink that’s memorable, that makes me want to transport to that bar and order that drink immediately, we all know how those drinks make us feel when we see them.”
“In previous years we’ve thrown mini martini parties with cocktails paired to music, sensory challenges while standing up to your ankles in seawater, or during a burlesque show or after a dinner featuring some pretty brutal chili sauces,” he laughs. “It’s a big couple of days, but it’s certainly a memorable experience.”
“This is a special year for us, so expect some special prizes,” says Sean, “as always there is going to be the opportunity to eat and drink in some of South Australia’s most exciting restaurants and bars.”
Entries open from July 1st, with menus to be live for the whole month of August. Winners will be flown to South Australia over the October Long Weekend (October 3rd to 6th).
If you are interested in taking part in this year’s competition follow the link below. https://neverneverdistilling.com.au/blogs/blog/step-into-the-never-never-2026