Shake It Up National Finalists Announced

A number of incredible submissions were received for Shake It Up 2024, the USBG National Cocktail Competition which identifies the US Classic Champions for the International Bartenders Association (IBA) Global Competitions.

In addition to submitting a signature cocktail, applicants were asked to submit a video cocktail demonstration and 1-minute inspiration story.

Two panels of judges reviewed each submission with the recipe portion being evaluated anonymously. The scores were combined to determine the Top 5 highest-scoring entrants who will advance to the Shake It Up Cocktail Competition National Finals in Las Vegas on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, on the NxT Stage at the Bar & Restaurant Expo.

The 2024 Shake It Up National Finalists are:

Felipe Castro Castillo Park City, UT @feleparkmixology
Mariano Gil, Jr.  Brownsville, TX @marianonanogiljr
Yolanda Gregg St. Augustine, FL @landieg803
Connor Perry Ann Arbor, MI @connorthebartender
Jonathan Stanyard Seattle, WA @thebittergringo

During the Shake It Up National Finals, the Top 5 Finalists will be competing in a challenge to create a cocktail using an assigned spirit and present it using IBA Standards. The Top 2 highest-scoring competitors will move on to compete in a final mystery box challenge to determine the 2024 Shake It Up Champion and Runner-up.

Both the Champion and Runner-Up will join Team USA to represent the US. The Champion will compete in the World Cocktail Championship (WCC) in Portugal in Fall 2024.  The Runner-Up will compete in the Pan-American Cocktail Championship (Location TBD) in Fall 2024. Watch for opportunities to cheer on Team USA at both events as a spectator!

Sponsored By:

Ice Sponsor: Hoshizaki 

Syrup Sponsor: Reàl Infused Exotics

If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact Sheila Rosario at srosario@usbg.org or schedule a call HERE.