Phoenix will soon have a designated cocktail that represents the city’s rich culture and spirited community.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, alongside Visit Phoenix and the Arizona Restaurant Association, has announced the Spirit of Phoenix: Craft the City’s Signature Cocktail Competition. This isn’t just any cocktail competition; it’s a quest to crown the very essence of Phoenix in a glass.
“Phoenix is the crown jewel of the Sonoran Desert, and as we continue enjoying the national spotlight for our beautiful landscapes and lively food scene, we thought it was the perfect time to establish a signature drink,” says Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “That’s why I’m so excited to launch the ‘Spirit of Phoenix’ contest that will bring expert artists together to craft a new, Phoenix-inspired sip. May the best drink win!”
The Spirit of Phoenix competition will showcase mixology mastery and celebrate the city’s journey; from its diverse past to its bright, promising future. The competition will unfold in two thrilling phases, beginning with a distinguished panel of Phoenix’s finest mixologists who will whittle down the entries. Then, the power shifts to the people of Phoenix, who will vote through a bracket system to crown the ultimate winner. This competition is an open invitation to all, encouraging participants to infuse their concoctions with the essence of Phoenix.
The Spirit of Phoenix esteemed panel includes mixology luminaries like Jason Asher of Century Grand and Kim Haasarud of Garden Bar, among others, whose expertise in local flavors will guide this spirited journey. From March 15 to April 1, they will sift through submissions to select the top 20, narrowing them down to the final four. The city will then embark on a tasting adventure, with the grand winner announced on June 2.
“As Phoenix continues its evolution, we recognize the importance of embracing our city’s rich history while embracing the dynamic changes that will define our future,” says Ron Price, President and CEO of Visit Phoenix. “The Spirit of Phoenix Cocktail Competition represents more than just mixology; it embodies the dynamic community, creativity and innovation that define our diverse city, and our renowned food and beverage scene.”
Phoenix’s culinary landscape is nothing short of remarkable, boasting James Beard award-winning talents and mixologists who are redefining the art of the cocktail. According to Visit Phoenix, Phoenix welcomed 19.5 million visitors, who spent $1.2 billion on food and beverage last year. This represents 27% of the $4.4 billion total visitor spending that supported more than16,000 industry jobs in the Valley in 2023.
“As Phoenix continues to earn a stellar reputation for its evolving food and beverage industry, we welcome unique and engaging opportunities like the Spirit of Phoenix competition,” says Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association. “Being an organization dedicated to the advocacy for and promotion of businesses within the hospitality industry, we are thrilled to participate in this event and look forward to seeing how it shines a national spotlight on our valley’s finest mixologists and city as a whole.”
This is your chance to be part of Phoenix’s legacy, to mix, to mingle and to raise a glass to the spirit that unites us all. For those eager to participate in this historic moment, mark your calendars and click here for more information.
