Water Choice Awards: The Daily Pour

About

Please join us in celebrating New York's Inaugural Water Choice Awards celebrating the best in water. The Water Choice Awards are presented by The Daily Pour, the ultimate drinks guide for the modern consumer. The Head Judge spearheading the event is industry insider, Water Sommelier and co-founder of Salacious Drinks, Ashley Epperson.

Essential Information

Timeline

  • START RECEIVING ENTRIES

    March 1st, 2026

  • EARLY ENTRY

    March 1st - April 30th, 2026

  • REGULAR ENTRY

    May 1st - June 30th, 2026

    All submissions CLOSE June 30th. Products MUST arrive by July 1st in order to be judged.

  • JUDGING

    August 17th, 2026

  • WINNERS ANNOUNCED

    September 2026

Cost (U.S. Dollars)

  • EARLY ENTRY (MARCH 1ST - APRIL 30TH)

    $50 per submission

  • REGULAR ENTRY (MAY 1ST - JUNE 30TH)

    $75 per submission

  • ADDITIONAL SKUS (EARLY REGISTRATION)

    $25

  • REGULAR ADDITIONAL SKUS

    $35/additional

  • Payments can be made through online platform (coming soon).

Categories

    • Non-Carbonated Water
    • Natural Sparkling Water
    • Sparkling Water
    • Flavored Water
    • Flavored Sparkling Water
    • Most Sustainable Bottled Water (Packaging Material and Weight, Recycled Content)
    • Best Bottled Water That Gives Back (How much per bottle the brand gives back to the community, The total amount the brand has given back over the last 10 years)

Judging

Judging panels are composed of professionals from diverse disciplines including water sommeliers and drinks experts and reviewers to ensure multiple perspectives.

  • Each category is evaluated by three judges.

  • Each beverage will be rated on a scale from 1-10. The criteria are if the beverage meets the normative expectations for the segment and the taste.

  • Then the judges will come to a consensus to give each drink a final medal: double gold, gold, silver or bronze.

    Medal Individual Score Cumulative Score
    Double Gold 10 29-30
    Gold 9 25-28
    Silver 7-8 20-24
    Bronze 5-6 15-19
    No medal Less than 5 Less than 15

  • Blind tasting is conducted by category; beverages are served in coded glasses with no visible bottles.

  • Judges' decisions are final, no post-judging changes to awards.