Introducing: The Virginia Cocktail Games!

Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Virginia Cocktail Games! Sponsored and produced exclusively by the Virginia Spirits Board Marketing Office (VSBMO), this event is a two-round hybrid cocktail competition created to foster collaboration and innovation between bartenders, distillers, and licensees and to educate the public about the incredible diversity of spirits and mixology that abound in the commonwealth.

During the competition, 25 mixologists from across the commonwealth will battle it out in two rounds of competition for the title of “Virginia’s Best Cocktail in 2024.” Here’s how it’ll work:

Round 1. From July 26 – August 11, 2024, this regional, virtual round will feature five bartenders from each of the five regions across the state (25 competitors in total). Each bartender will design a cocktail and submit the recipe and photo for two weeks of online voting. One winner will be determined from each of the 5 regions.

Round 2. The top 5 regional finalists from Round 1 will move on to compete before a panel of judges and Virginia spirits enthusiasts in a live cocktail showdown at Virginia Distilled, an event held at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on September 14, 2024, in Richmond, Va. (accommodations and travel expenses paid).

Applications are NOW open and close Friday, June 21, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Make The Most of The Virginia Cocktail Games

As a distiller, you will have the opportunity to partner with bartenders from eligible licensee establishments to raise the profile of your brand and teach consumers how to mix cocktails with your products. There is no cost to participate, and we highly encourage you to use this opportunity to form strong working relationships with local bartenders. Remember, you are prohibited from incentivizing bartenders or licensees from using your products or promoting your brand. You may, however, inform licensees about the competition and, generally, encourage them to participate.

Spread the Word! 

Download The Virginia Cocktail Games flyer and distribute to restaurants within your region.