An Arizona-based food, beverage and travel writer since 2008, I launched this website in 2015 to document my culinary adventures, beverage escapades, gardening endeavors, and travel in the Phoenix area and beyond. Also find a comprehensive calendar of Phoenix-area food and drink-related events on my Events page.
My latest feature in The Tasting Panel magazine features winemakers Los Milics Vineyards and their stunning new tasting room in the Sonoita AVA. You can find the full article in the March/April 2023 issue here.
Delena Humble, of Sin Muerte, won the 2023 Last Slinger Standing bartending contest on March 13 with her take on a Vieux Carré, with one of the most exclusive cognacs ever produced
(Phoenix, Ariz PRESS RELEASE) Over the course of a weekend that saw over 5,000 attendees, Arizona Cocktail Weekend hit its crescendo with the signature cocktail competition, Last Slinger Standing. Hosted by Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), the Last Slinger Standing was held on Monday, March 13th in front of a crowd of 800 cheering cocktail fans. Delena Humble of Sin Muerte defeated 15 other competitors to win the 2023 bartending competition.
Starting with 16 competitors, who’d all earned their spots by winning previous US Bartending Guild competitions across Arizona. Each slinger had six minutes to create three of the same cocktails to present to judges, and when the six minutes are up both contestants must put their hands in the air to complete their round. When it comes to the cocktails themselves, slingers were required to use a minimum of 1oz of a designated base spirit, .5oz of a designated modifying ingredient and no more than seven ingredients total. Cocktail garnishes did not count as one of the seven ingredients.
The semi-finals featured Caleb Shroyer of Neighborly Public House up against John Roberts of Citizen Public House, while Captain David Muhlstein of Hula’s Captain’s Cabin went up against Trey Bivens of The Rose Garden. In the end, the final two slingers were Mitch Lyons of Highball Cocktail Bar up against Delena Humble of Sin Muerte. With the final set, Delana and Mitch had just six minutes to prove themselves as the Last Slinger Standing. The distinguished panel of judges crowned Delena Humble the 2023 champion for her rendition of a Vieux Carré, she calls “From Nola to Phoenix” whipping up this elevated libation featuring Pierre Ferrand Legendaire Cognac and Pierre Ferrand Yuzu bitters.
“I knew I was going to make a Vieux Carré riff at some point in this competition, but had no idea it would be my winning cocktail.” Humble says. “I spent time in New Orleans last year as a Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Red Coat apprenticeship, and felt it was only right to give a shout out not only to the TOTC foundation, but to the city of New Orleans as a whole.”
As the 2023 winner, Humble joins an exclusive list of Last Slinger Stranding champions, including 2022 winner Lauren Azevedo of Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, 2020 winner Colton Brock of Ladera Taverna y Cocina, 2019 winner Chanel Godwin-McMaken of Little Rituals and 2018 winner, Joshua James of Clever Koi/Clever Ramen, Across the Pond and Fellow Osteria, and more. Winners are not eligible to enter the following year, and the Last Slinger Standing was not held in 2021.
About Republic National Distributing Company: As a top beverage alcohol distributor in the nation, RNDC’s national reach helps suppliers by building strategic relationships with on- and off-premise customers to elevate their brands and reach their target consumers. RNDC currently operates in the District of Columbia and 38 states across the United States. To learn more, visit www.rndc-usa.com.
About The 2023 Arizona Cocktail Weekend: The 2023 Arizona Cocktail Weekend kicked off on Saturday, March 11 with The Cocktail Carnival, a can’t miss party hosted at Walter Where?House that pairs trending spirit brands, amazingly crafted cocktails with art and live music to create a one of kind experience in the Valley. Then on Sunday, March 12, it’s the return of Top Bars showcasing pop-up versions of renowned lounges from around the state, country and across the globe, all in one location. Finally, on Monday, March 13th, the Last Slinger Standing bartending competition will host top mixologists from Arizona inside RNDC’s own on-site venue. Furthermore, top lounges, bars and restaurants across Downtown Phoenix will be hosting AZCW events, dinners and exclusive cocktail tastings.
Giving Back: The Arizona Cocktail Weekend is also dedicated to giving back to the local community, including its own dedicated 501(c3) charity, The Jupiter Foundation, which in 2023 plans to expand assistance to other charitable organizations through contributions, helping other deserving Phoenix bases charities, like Child Crisis Arizona, Local First Foundation, and C-Cap which directly benefited through our past contributions to help aid our community.