For Bitter For Worse, Portland OR based drinks startup took five medals at the Bartenders Spirits Awards, including RTD (ready-to-drink) Producer of the year.
Founder Shelley Elkovich said, “For a non-alcoholic drink and N/A brand to win the top honors when competing alongside boozy ready-to-drink cocktails is huge. These awards are also particularly meaningful because the recognition comes from the trade: top bartenders honored us with this distinction.”
Sparkling aperitif Eva’s Spritz won a double-gold medal and was named RTD of the year by The Bartenders Spirits Awards. This competition is unique in the industry because the judges are all bartenders, and the judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry. The brand’s newest sparkler, Rose City Fizz , won a RTD gold medal, and their potent nightcap Smoky no.56 won a silver medal in the Non-alcoholic Spirits category.
Each entry is judged on a matrix of qualities. The process begins with a blind tasting that includes balance and versatility, taste, mouthfeel, and finish. The judges then evaluate each entry on price, value, and packaging design. The 2023 competition saw more than 1400 submissions from 45 countries. Bartenders Spirits Awards reported that RTD had “huge growth” in RTD submissions, this year. RTD was one of the top four most competitive categories.
For Bitter For Worse uses a proprietary “reverse bootlegging” production process incorporating raw certified organic botanicals rather than off-the-shelf extracts or lab-derived natural flavors. The brand is proudly woman-owned and disability-owned. Sample sips at the NEW NOW NEXT pavilion, Booth IV 28. For more information, contact [email protected].