The Very First World Alcohol-Free Awards
This year for the very first time ever, the World Alcohol-Free Awards were held. Drinks were sent in from all around the world to be judged by expert judges, including our very own founder Gemma Mills. This event was a demonstration of just how exciting the world of alcohol-free drinks is at the moment.
What Are the World Alcohol-Free Awards?
The World Alcohol-Free Awards brings together 20 expert judges from the alcohol-free world to taste test every single entered drink and hand out awards. These judges are people who are passionate about and have intense knowledge of the alcohol-free world.
This year over 500 drinks entered the competition. All of these drinks fit into the alcohol-free drinks category, which means they contain less than 0.05% ABV or less.
Before giving out the awards the judges tasted each drink at least a dozen times. Unlike other drink awards, the World Alcohol-Free Awards allowed each alcohol-free spirit brand to choose from one of four mixers so that each spirit was tasted and judged based on the serving suggestions.
But there were more than just alcohol-free spirits submitted, there was alcohol-free wine, beer, mead, cider, bitters and so much more. In order for the awards to work each drink had to be categorised into its type. This is not an easy job in the alcohol-free drinks industry as the categories of drinks are not yet very clear. This means that drinks were tasted by many, many people before the awards were given out. So winning an award was not an easy job at all.
The whole tasting event really showcased the quality, quality and innovation happening in the alcohol-free space currently.
Who Were the Judges?
This year's head judge was Chrissie Parkinson, an expert judge known for her award-winning time as Group Head of Wine for Hakkasan.
But very excitingly for JOMO, Gemma Mills, founder of JOMO was invited to be a judge for the World Alchohol-Free Awards. This meant two packed days of taste testing in early March.
This is what Gemma had to say about the event:
‘I was honoured to have been a judge for the World Alcohol-Free Awards, the first global awards celebrating this rapidly expanding market. With over 500 drinks judged across the two days, it really was astonishing and inspiring to see the quality, quantity and innovations happening across non-alcoholic drinks. The awards took the opportunity to really recognise the hard work that goes into these spirits, beers, wines and functional beverages and we saw some well-deserved medals.’
What Awards Could They Win?
There were several types of awards given out during the World Alcohol-Free Awards. Firstly were the medals. Drinks could be awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal.
After that, stand-out contenders in specific categories were awarded category trophies, for example, “Best Beer” or “Best Wine” etc. These were not awarded in every category but only to those drinks that really stood out.
In order to reward brands and companies that are dedicated to supporting the planet and other people with their drinks, there were also Spotlight Trophies. These were for companies that produced Vegan, Organic, Gluten-Free, Ethical or Halal drinks. All things that are increasingly important to consumers.
The final award, much rarer than the others, was the Range Award. This is for companies who submitted an entire portfolio of top-quality and ethical drinks.
Who Were Notable Winners?
If you’ve been a JOMO subscriber for a while you might recognise some of these notable winners from previous JOMO boxes.
Gold Medal Winners
Here are some of the gold medal drinks from this year with a snippet from their tasting notes.
SENTIA Spirits, “a Product with its flavours turned up to 11”.
Bemuse Tarragon and Basil Mead. “Delicate, optimistic and as summery as a bee's wing-beat”.
Caleño Dark & Spicy. “Strong aroma of candied pineapple, orange and butterscotch notes”.
GIMBER. “Intense and satisfying”.
JUKES Cordialities The Sparkling Rose. “Approachable and uplifting, it's perfect for a summer's day, or as an end-of-day pick-me-up.”
MYTH Coconut Cane. “Refreshing acidity with a lovely, creamy texture, like coconut ice!”
Saicho Teas. “Poetic and elegant rather than strident in flavour; a drink that whispers rather than shouts.”
Three Spirits. “Extremely smashable on its own (on the rocks).”
REAL Dry Dragon. “Poised and restrained in style.”
Silver and Bronze Medal Winners
Other drinks featured in JOMO boxes received silver and bronze medals.
Silver medals:
Bax Botanics Verbena,
Bemuse Wild Raspberry Mead,
Maria & Craig’s,
Root2Ginger.
Bronze medals:
Everleaf,
High Point,
Medahuman,
Mocktails,
UNLTD.
Sign Up For a JOMO Subscription
If you want to taste award-winning drinks and start exploring the world of alcohol-free drinks then sign up for a JOMO subscription. With a JOMO subscription, you will receive a regular delivery, directly to your front door and filled to the brim with delicious alcohol-free goodies. And these won’t be the ones you could just find in the supermarket, JOMO hand pick the tastiest alcohol-free drinks out there, from brands who are passionate about making alcohol-free drinks.
Sign up now and find the joy of missing out.