Cool As Challenge 2025

Lower Hutt hospitality operators take each other on in the 2025 Cool As Challenge.

Hospitality operators in Lower Hutt go to head-to-head to create their own limited edition signature summer refresher drinks for people to enjoy in the Cool As Challenge ™ which will run between 17 January until 2 February 2025.

Customers will be the given the chance to vote for their favourite drink by QR code located in each cafe or take a selfie with their drink on Cool As Challenge ™” Facebook, and Instagram pages. The top 2 winning drinks across the three cities will be announced on 2 February. Those six top drinks voted by those enjoying a refreshing summer Cool As Challenge™ drink will be judged by an independent panel of judges. The announcement of the ultimate winning Cool As drink will take place on 8 February. The top six winning drinks will be on offer from 8-12 February for people to enjoy and experience.

The challenge, founded by the Hutt City Council, now run by the Southend Business Group to inspire local cafes to be creative and attract people to the Lower Hutt CBD, has grown in popularity since it was launched in 2016. It was also the direct result of the successful Sweet As Challenge™, in which Central Hutt cafes create signature hot chocolates for customers to taste and rank over three weeks in winter.

To find out more about the challenge visit the Cool As Challenge™ website coolaschallenge.nz or its Facebook and Instagram page.