Please join us for the 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.
Early Entry Starts
3/01/2026
Early Entry Cost
$50 per submission
Final Deadline
6/30/2026
How to enter
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Step One:
Register Here -
Step Two:
Mail either two (2) 700/750ml bottles of product or (2) 500ml bottles/boxes of product with a printed list including brand name, brand SKUs and contact information.
Abrams Media
Attn: Zoe - Water Choice Awards
1261 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10011
Shipments will be accepted Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.
If you are applying for "Most Sustainable Bottled Water" or "Best Bottled Water That Give Back" please include a printed insert responding to these questions. Make sure the brand's name and a contact are on the printed insert.
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Step Three:
Judges will taste and rate your entry on August 17th.
Winners will be announced in September 2026.
Essential Information
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Start Receiving Entries
March 1st, 2026
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Early Entry
March 1st - April 30th, 2026
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Regular Entry
May 1st - June 30th, 2026
All submissions CLOSE June 30th. Products MUST arrive by July 1st in order to be judged.
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Judging
August 17th, 2026
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Winners Announced
September 2026
Timeline
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 here.
Cost (U.S. Dollars)
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
Categories
Commercially-produced water products from anywhere in the world are eligible to enter.
All entries submitted on time will be judged.
Eligibility & Requirements
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 at least three judges.
Each beverage will be rated on a scale from 1-10. The criteria will be based on taste alone.
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.
Our Judges
Camper English
Author & Water Expert
Cameron Smith
Water Sommelier, Tea Master & Maitre du Fromage
Ashley Epperson
Water Sommelier & Co-founder, Salacious Drinks
Preston Boyer
Water Sommelier & Founder, Liquid Life Wellness Water
Laura Silverman
Founder of Zero Proof Nation
Estelle Bossy
Beverage Director & Experienced Mixologist
Tawny Lara
Beverage Founder & Author
Maria Bastasch
Sommelier & Co-founder, Mindful Drinking Fest
Prizes
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All winners will be featured on the The Daily Pour website, in the main newsletter and on social channels - where relevant.
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Double gold and gold winners will receive a trophy.
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Winners can purchase digital medals and stickers for printed promotional purposes. For digital use it is free. For print purchase cost $75 for a year to license and $200 for perpetuity.
Disclaimer: Please drink water responsibly and stay hydrated.