There are competitions. And then there are Procera competitions 😏 where gin isn’t just a spirit but a storyteller, and the bar becomes a canvas for creativity. Stylenerdsjournal was honored to attend Procera’s 2nd Annual Procera Cocktail Competition as guests, bearing witness to a months-long celebration of Nairobi’s rising cocktail culture. What unfolded was more than flair and finesse. It was a toast to craft, community, and Kenyan ingenuity.
Juniper in the Spotlight: Why Procera Matters
Before the first shaker was chilled and the first ice cube cracked, it was worth noting what makes Procera stand apart. This gin isn’t just another bottle on the shelf, it’s a liquid distillation of place. Procera is distilled in Nairobi using indigenous Juniperus Procera, a native African juniper variety handpicked fresh from highland forests (rather than the typical dried juniper imported from abroad). The result is a gin vibrant with earthy, nutty, and citrus-bright character that underscores both terroir and intention. Procera Gin+1
Procera isn’t a newcomer dabbling in trends; it’s part of a global conversation about craft spirits with a bold African heartbeat.
Starting Strong: 43 Bartenders, One Shared Passion
The competition kicked off in August with 43 bartenders representing bars from every corner of Nairobi’s hospitality scene; all venues that proudly stock Procera and live its ethos of craftsmanship. Over six distinct rounds of rigorous judging, these mixologists poured their hearts into concoctions that balanced technique and originality.
By the end of in-bar judging, the field narrowed first to 18 and then to the elite Top 12. Each round amplified by the growing buzz of creativity and crowd admiration.
Semi-Finals: Sunflowers & Sandcastles
The semi-final round wasn’t just a test of technique, it was thematic theatre. Bartenders were challenged to craft:
- A beach-inspired libation (think sun, sand, and speculative sea breeze), and
- A sunflower-themed cocktail that evoked both brightness and complexity.
Judged by industry luminaries Diane Chimboza, John Gakuru, Brian Owangu, and Arjun Sahi, this round distilled off the imaginative from the extraordinary. Only six competitors advanced to the finals, each proving they could read not just recipes, but moods. The stakes kept rising, along with the applause.
Final Showdown: Signature Twists and Lightning Licks
The finals were nothing short of dramatic; equal parts precision and performance. Finalists faced three formidable challenges:
- A signature twist on the Red Snapper : a drink that’s equal parts heritage and innovation
- A mystery box challenge : where creativity met chaos
- A speed test : five cocktails in just ten minutes (no pressure)
Paneling this high-pressure stage were judges with their own reputations for excellence: Bonface Makori (2024 champ), Vicky Munyoki, Guy Brennan, John Gakuru, and Alan Murungi.
The finalists themselves hailed from some of Nairobi’s most respected venues: Ole Sereni, Cultiva, Hemingways Eden, Crafty Chameleon, Muthaiga Country Club, and Jekyll & Hyde.
Champion of the City: Benjamin Thiong’o
When the dust, and citrus peels, settled, Benjamin Thiong’o of Jekyll & Hyde was crowned 2025 Procera Cocktail Champion. His win was not only applause-worthy; it was gateway worthy. As part of his prize, Benjamin will represent Kenya at the Ajabu Cocktail Festival in March 2026, taking Nairobi’s creative spirit to an international stage. This isn’t just a personal victory. It’s a nod to the rising stature of the city’s bartending talent within the global cocktail community.
Passport to Discovery: The Procera Cocktail Passport
As if the competition itself weren’t enough, Procera crowned the season with the debut of the Procera Cocktail Passport, a curated, urban scavenger hunt for cocktail lovers. The passport features the Top 17 finalist creations, encouraging enthusiasts to tour Nairobi’s best bars, enjoy signature drinks, and collect stamps for rewards.
Fully stamped passports submitted by 30 January 2026 unlock:
- A bottle of Procera,
- Exclusive Procera merchandise, and
- A guided tour of the Procera Distillery.
It’s an elegant way to extend the celebration and pull more people into exploring the depth of Nairobi’s cocktail craft. We 100% endorse this!
Where the Passport Awaits
The passport, a tiny document with big experiences, is now available at hotspots including:
- Cultiva
- Crafty Chameleon
- Ate
- Onza
- Yamas
- Glee Hotel (Ruby Night Club)
- Jekyll & Hyde
- Hemingways Eden
- Beit e Selam
- Hero
- Emara Ole Sereni
- Sierra – Tokyo Drift
- Thai Chi by Sarova
- The Norfolk by Fairmont
We don’t know about you but we are about to catch Procera flights!
The City-Under-the-Sun Sign-Off
If cocktails could talk, these ones would say Nairobi is ready. Ready to experiment, ready to compete, ready to be taken seriously without ever taking itself too seriously. Procera has managed to bottle that energy, pour it into a competition, and remind us that luxury doesn’t have to whisper; sometimes it clinks loudly over ice. Consider this our standing ovation and our cue to order another round. 🥂
