Ben Lomond starts search for official serve of The Open
Loch Lomond Group’s Ben Lomond Gin has begun its UK-wide search to find the official serve of The Open golf championship.
The Scottish brand is the official gin of the major golf championship, a title it has carried since 2023.
For this year’s Open championship, the brand is looking across the UK to find its official serve.
The campaign invites both professional and amateur bartenders to create an original cocktail for the tournament, using Ben Lomond Gin as the star ingredient.
The extension to amateur mixologists also means that members of the public will have the chance to see their cocktail served at the championship for the first time.
The judging criteria will take taste and creativity into account, as well as story and the drink’s ability to be scaled for a major international event.
Last year’s winner, Scott Dunlop, created a Brambles in the Rough cocktail that was inspired by his grandmother Helen, who lives with Alzheimer’s.
The 154th Open will take place from 12-19 July at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Merseyside.
As The Open’s official serve, the cocktail will be available to thousands of golf fans at the Ben Lomond Gin Garden, the Loch Lomond Whiskies bar and selected R&A stands at Royal Birkdale.
Elsie Cinnamond, drinks development lead at Luss Distillery, home to Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond Whiskies, said: “Our official serve of The Open campaign has been hugely successful in the past, and we’re excited to open it up even further this year by inviting both professional bartenders and those with a passion for mixology to take part.
“Taste is obviously important, but at Ben Lomond Gin we believe the greatest serves come with a great story, and we are always excited to hear the inspiration behind each cocktail.
“Encouraging people to embrace their adventurous spirit is at the heart of what we do. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy our gins, and we love seeing people experiment and discover the serves that feel right for them.”
Submissions can be made through a dedicated portal on the brand’s website.
Successful entrants will then go through as finalists to a judging event at the recently-opened Luss Distillery in Scotland, where they will present their serves to a panel of expert judges.
Public entrants will be notified by 4 May if they will advance to the final round.
In addition to having the official serve of The Open, the winner will also receive VIP tickets to championships. This will include overnight accommodation, a Ben Lomond Gin hamper and a cash prize.
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