The Virginia Cocktail Games brings together the commonwealth’s top bartenders to compete for bragging rights, prizes and the title of Virginia Cocktail Games Champion.
Using Virginia-made spirits, competitors create original cocktails that showcase creativity, craftsmanship and the incredible quality of spirits made across Virginia.
Join us at Virginia Distilled in Richmond, Virginia on September 12 and watch the finalists compete live for the championship title.
The competition is heating up! After two rounds of expert judging and an exciting week of People’s Choice voting, six talented bartenders have earned their place in the 2026 Virginia Cocktail Games Finals. The cocktails featured below are the creations that helped secure their spots in the Finals. On September 12, the finalists will face a brand-new prompt and create an entirely new cocktail to present live to the judges.
The Catamount Lounge
Featuring Virginia-Made Twin Creeks 1st Sugar Moonshine
Maude & the Bear
Featuring Virginia-Made Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whiskey
Omni Homestead Resort
Featuring Virginia-Made Copper Fox Original Rye
Ilo Bistro
Featuring Virginia-Made Laird’s Bottled-in-Bond Apple Brandy and Waterman Spirits Organic Vodka
MAS Tapas
Featuring Virginia-Made Virginia Distillery Co. Cider Cask Finished Whisky and Laird’s 7 1/2 Year Apple Brandy
Dwan and Dusk
Featuring Virginia-Made Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whiskey and Laird’s Bottled-in-Bond Apple Brandy
