The Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition 2024 Recap
On the evening of September 30, 2024, Charlotte’s skyline was aglow with excitement as the 4th Annual Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition took over Merchant + Trade. With a view as stunning as the drinks served, the event was a perfect showcase of talent, creativity, and camaraderie among some of the city’s most innovative female mixologists. It was a night of delicious cocktails, good vibes, and fierce competition as bartenders poured their hearts (and spirits) into every glass.
The Winners
This year’s competition was fierce, and after an intense round of cocktail artistry, the judges crowned these amazing women as the top bartenders of the night:
First Place: Yolanda – Her tropical creation, bursting with flavors of rum, pineapple, and a dash of heat, earned her the top spot.
Second Place: Cecelia – She brought a smoky, citrusy cocktail to the table that was both refreshing and bold.
Third Place: Jenna aka Duckie – Duckie’s drink was an elegant mix of herbs and floral notes, making it a delicate but standout entry.
People's Choice Award: Ky – The crowd couldn’t get enough of Ky’s perfect balance of sweet and spicy, which had everyone asking for another round.
The Cocktails
While we won’t be giving away their exact recipes (a magician never reveals their secrets!), we can’t resist sharing a little about the stunning cocktails that these incredible bartenders created.
Yolanda Gregg - Aguardiente Mojo : Yolanda took home the first-place prize with her stunning creation. This cocktail was an exotic blend of Basil Muddy River Rum infused with pandan tea, homemade banana liqueur, and passion fruit mint basil syrup, balanced with fresh lime juice and a dash of salt tincture. What made this cocktail stand out was the unique touch of being clarified with coconut milk and bentonite clay, giving it a smooth, creamy texture.
Cecelia Crook - Green Anole: Cecelia’s cocktail was an ode to fresh and vibrant flavors. Using Sutlers Gin as the base, she elevated it with Thai basil simple syrup, lime cordial, and cucumber ice cubes. The cocktail was light, refreshing, and had a lovely complexity with the herbal twist of Thai basil. Her use of unique ingredients and flawless execution secured her second place.
Jenna Reynolds (aka Duckie) - Lovely Lady Plums: Duckie earned third place with her beautifully layered cocktail. She took buttermilk-washed Queen Charlotte’s Reserve and paired it with Branca Menta, lime juice, and plum soda for a tangy, sweet concoction. Garnished with a dried plum chip, this drink was a smooth, refreshing celebration of autumn flavors.
Ky Brown- Spiced Harvest Bloom: Ky's cocktail, Spiced Harvest Bloom, was a crowd-pleaser for its bold yet balanced flavors. Featuring Sutlers Gin, elderflower liqueur, mango vanilla syrup, and fresh lime juice, it was a bright and fragrant cocktail, beautifully garnished with a spiced mango and cinnamon vanilla sugar rim. The cocktail’s playful blend of sweet, tart, and spiced flavors resonated with the audience, earning Ky the coveted People’s Choice Award.
In addition to the winners, all the bartenders brought their A-game, showing incredible creativity.
Molly Newton – Verdure Voyage: Molly’s cocktail took guests on a sensory journey with flavors of Sutlers gin, garden vermouth, and ancho Reyes verde liqueur, all tied together with a hint of cilantro oil and celery bitters. It was a bold, verdant cocktail that embodied the freshness of a garden in a glass.
Lee Caulfield – Like a Star: Lee’s creation, Like a Star, featured Southern Star White Whiskey, combined with a unique starfruit Earl Grey shrub and finished with a splash of yuzu dry Curaçao. It was an elegant, delicate drink that perfectly balanced fruit and floral notes, served with a dehydrated peach garnish for a stylish finish.
Annie Stevenson – The Sneaky Tiki: Annie’s tropical-inspired cocktail, The Sneaky Tiki, brought the beach vibes to the rooftop. It was a rum-forward drink featuring Muddy River Queen Charlotte’s Reserve, Gran Gala orange liqueur, and a house-made strawberry-mango orgeat. The cocktail was garnished with a playful strawberry fluff and a cinnamon-sugar-coated strawberry, making it both fun and flavorful.
Rose Cannon – Spice Girls: Rose’s cocktail, Spice Girls, embodied spice and warmth. With Sutlers gin, saffron rose poached pear liqueur, and homemade simple syrup, the drink had a rich, spicy undertone balanced by the brightness of fresh lemon juice. It was a bold and exciting creation, perfect for those who love a punch of flavor.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
A massive thank you goes to our event sponsor, The Loft at Duckworth’s, who helped make this incredible night possible. Known for their chic mid-century modern cocktail bar and expertly crafted drinks, The Loft brought their A-game as our sponsor. Their support, along with their creative new Mean Girls Day cocktail menu launching in October, added an extra layer of excitement to the event. Be sure to visit The Loft this fall and try their fun and fabulous new cocktails like the Burn Book, Glen Coco, and Pink Wednesday.
Shoutout to Our Partners
This year’s event was powered by an impressive lineup of partners, each contributing their own flavor to the competition. A big thank you to Sutler’s Spirit Co., Muddy River Distillery, Southern Distilling Company, and Queen’s Hand Collaborative for providing the top-notch spirits that made these cocktails sing. Special mention to Queen’s Hand Collaborative, a passionate spirits brokerage that champions local craft distilleries and ensures their exceptional products reach a broader audience. Their dedication to uplifting artisanal spirits made them an invaluable partner.
Our Judges and DJs
This year’s judging panel was as star-studded as ever:
Chantel Anderson, Founder of Bar Juicy and a mixology expert
Andrew of Andrew Loves, a world traveler and culinary enthusiast
Crystle, master hairstylist and founder of Mermane Haircare
Their expertise and discerning palates helped us crown the night’s winners. And we can’t forget our incredible DJs, Fannie Mae and Micki Blendz, who kept the energy high and the crowd dancing between cocktail rounds.
Vendors Who Brought the Extra Flair
We also want to shout out our fantastic vendors, Go Brazee and Uniquely SHE, who added an extra layer of style and fun to the evening. Their booths brought unique flair, offering guests the chance to check out creative, handcrafted products throughout the night.
Until Next Year!
The 2024 Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition was a night of innovation, celebration, and artistry. We were thrilled to witness such talent and creativity from every single participant. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible—our sponsors, partners, vendors, judges, DJs, and of course, the incredible mixologists who brought their best to the bar.
Stay tuned for a full video recap later this week! And once again, congratulations to our amazing winners—Yolanda, Cecelia, Duckie, and Ky—for showing us just how much magic can happen in a glass. Cheers to all, and we can’t wait for next year!
