It’s that time of year again when bartenders across the U.S. and Canada compete in Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Most Imaginative Bartender Competition presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin. Over the past few months, hundreds of talented bartenders applied, and 22 have been chosen to move forward to the semifinals.
To narrow the field, a committee scored each bartender on how they brought their creative passion to life in a custom gin-focused cocktail using Bombay Sapphire or Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru. From Toronto to Hawaii, each bartender applied their imagination and unique creative outlets to their creations.
The following 22 bartenders will be advancing to the semifinals in D.C. — and early next year, one will win the title of Most Imaginative Bartender.
The 2024 Most Imaginative Bartender Semifinalists
Erin Birmingham
Le Salon Cocktail Bar, New York
Creative Outlet: Fashion
Bridget Ramsey
Principe, New York
Creative Outlet: Music
Jesse Taitano
Paul Brady Wine Bar, New York
Creative Outlet: The pursuit of knowledge
Ricardo Rodriguez
Lita, New Jersey
Creative Outlet: Cooking
Paul Ramon
Estelle’s, Austin
Creative Outlet: Music
Kay Greenfield
Roosevelt Room, Austin
Creative Outlet: Art & Drawing
Michael George
Acme & Co., Salt Lake City
Creative Outlet: Fashion
Chris Marek
The Citizens Trust, Columbus
Creative Outlet: Magic
Marie Yoshimizu
The Avenue at Intercontinental Bellevue, Seattle
Creative Outlet: Science
Jessie Yoskin
Monkeypod Kitchen, Hawaii
Creative Outlet: Horses
Linda Douglas
Donnas, Los Angeles
Creative Outlet: Nature
Ramsey Musk
Accomplice, Los Angeles
Creative Outlet: Storytelling
Dylan Brentwood
Bar Kismet, Halifax
Creative Outlet: Fencing
Elise Hanson
Bar Raval, Toronto
Creative Outlet: Gardening
Liz Kalles
Jungle Room, Vancouver
Creative Outlet: Acting
Nicholas Alpi
Death and Co., Washington D.C.
Creative Outlet: Poetry
Bianca Cerise
DC Vegan, Washington D.C.
Creative Outlet: Fashion
Leighton Bagley
Imperial, Washington D.C.
Creative Outlet: Art
Jesse Little
El Chucho, Washington D.C.
Creative Outlet: Reading and Writing
Anastasia Cooper
Kimball House, Atlanta
Creative Outlet: Fermentation
Nicholas Reed
Marcus Bar & Grill, Atlanta
Creative Outlet: Bowling
Robert Mercier
Suffering Bastard, Orlando
Creative Outlet: Design