Meet the All-Star Judges of the NY Cocktail Expo 2025
- Hannah M Mizrahi
- Jul 3
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
NY Cocktail Expo 2025 lands Sunday, August 17 at Melrose Ballroom in Long Island City—NY’s longest-running cocktail festival returns with its most powerful lineup yet.
From the tropical Tiki Throw Down to the cutting-edge Best Cocktail of the Year, the stage is set for fierce, flavor-packed competition judged by true industry icons.
This year’s panel includes award-winning bartenders, rum ambassadors, best-selling authors, hospitality powerhouses, and even a Bar Rescue standout—each bringing influence, insight, and prestige to the table.
Scroll down to meet the judges and see why this year’s NY Cocktail Expo is the one you don’t want to miss.
Tiki Throw Down 2025 – Meet the Panel
Founded in 2018 by Expo creator Matt Kourie and rum authority Shannon Mustipher (TIKI: Modern Tropical Cocktails), Tiki Throw Down is NYC’s ultimate exotic cocktail showdown.
This year’s judging panel brings serious firepower—rum experts, tropical drink masters, and tiki legends—ready to crown 2025’s top tiki cocktail.
Meet the judges shaping this iconic competition.
Brian Miller – The Tiki Legend Returns
Tiki authority and NYC cocktail icon Brian Miller returns to NY Cocktail Expo after 7 years. A veteran of Death & Co., Pegu Club, and The Polynesian, Miller was the first-ever head judge of the Tiki Throw Down in 2018—helping launch NYCE’s signature competition.
Now leading the cocktail program at the historic Dog & Deer Tavern at The Stockton Inn (NJ), Miller brings decades of tiki leadership back to the stage. His return reconnects the competition to its roots, elevating the 2025 panel with unmatched authenticity, creativity, and historical weight.
Shannon Mustipher – Rum Icon, Author & TiKi Throw Down Co-Founder
Shannon Mustipher is a nationally recognized rum educator, best-selling author (TIKI: Modern Tropical Cocktails), and co-founder of NY Cocktail Expo’s TiKi Throw Down—New York’s official exotic cocktail competition. A longtime champion of rum culture and tropical drinks, Shannon helped launch the TiKi Throw Down in 2018 alongside Matt Kourie, a partnership often described as “Rum at First Sight.”
With deep roots in Caribbean heritage and a background in art and hospitality, Shannon previously built one of the largest rum-focused cocktail programs in NYC at the former Glady’s Caribbean, launched her own Rum Academy for trade education through NY Cocktail Expo Seminars, and consulted for brands including William Grant & Sons, Pernod Ricard, and Privateer Rum—where she now serves as VP of Brand and Trade Development. She was also honored with the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Pioneer Award and inducted into their Dame Hall of Fame.
Her influence in tiki goes beyond the bar—she’s helped usher in a new era of authenticity and innovation while mentoring a generation of tropical bartenders. Now returning for the TiKi Throw Down: Homecoming Edition, Shannon brings expertise, historical reverence, and a fearless palate to the 2025 judging panel.
Garnett Phillip – The Rum Girl®
Known as The Rum Girl®, Garnett Phillip is a visionary rum ambassador and entrepreneur with over 15 years of expertise. As the owner of The Rum Bar BK (and formerly Rogers Garden), she created a cultural platform in Flatbush celebrating Caribbean heritage, rum, and community pride.
A judge for the New Orleans Spirits Competition, Garnett uses rum as a storytelling medium—educating and honoring the legacy of Caribbean immigrants. At NYCE’s Tiki Throw Down 2025, she brings a passionate palate, deep industry insight, and a mission to spotlight cocktails that blend authenticity with innovation.
Gelo Honrade – From Champion to Judge
Creative and passionate, Gelo Honrade is Bar Manager at NYC’s Bar 92 inside GUI Steakhouse, where he crafts Korean-inspired cocktails with modern flair. A mainstay at NY Cocktail Expo since 2018, Gelo won People’s Choice for Best Tiki Cocktail in 2019 and has served as a judge in past competitions.
His journey from award-winning competitor to panelist reflects the NY Cocktail Expo’s spirit of community growth. With a résumé that includes Jeepney, Osamil, and Osamil Upstairs, Gelo brings playful precision and bold technique to the Tiki Throw Down. Expect him to reward cocktails that are balanced, fun, and tropically crowd-pleasing.
Best Cocktail of the Year 2025 – Meet the Panel
The Best Cocktail of the Year competition is the Expo’s premier showdown where top bars and mixologists debut inventive cocktails in a bid for the title. This year’s judging panel is stacked with experts whose backgrounds span award-winning mixology, bar program leadership, global cocktail trends, and even television. Together, they will evaluate the cutting-edge creations shaking up New York’s cocktail scene in 2025:
Tracey Eden – Award-Winning Industry Leader
Founder of Flew The Coupe Co., Tracey Eden brings serious accolades and creativity to the 2025 judging panel. Known for custom cocktails, whiskey tastings, teaching cocktail classes and zero-proof innovations, her mobile bartending brand has led standout programs across NYC and the TRI-STATE area.
Tracey won Best Cocktail of the Year in 2018 as the former Bar Manager of American Whiskey and dominated NYCE’s virtual to-go cocktail contests in 2020. She’s also taken top prizes in competitions from Drambuie, Regatta Craft Mixers, and Ragtime Rye.
Now returning as a judge to NYC's most anticipated cocktail competitions, Tracey brings Expo lineage full-circle—offering expert insight into spirited and alcohol-free drinks alike, and seeking cocktails that embody ingenuity, balance, and flawless execution.
Gary Wallach – Hospitality Architect & Bar Strategist
With deep roots in NYC’s cocktail scene, Gary Wallach has built and led some of the city’s most respected bar programs. Mentored by legends like Leo DeGroff and Steve Olson, he began behind the bar at Mondrian SoHo and Apartment 13, later launching major venues like Cecconi’s Dumbo.
He revitalized F&B programs for Arlo Hotels, and now, as founder of Renwick Hospitality Group, oversees a growing portfolio including Lindens, Foxtail, and The Alderman.
As a judge, Gary brings an operator’s perspective—focused on cocktails that marry creativity, drinkability, and long-term appeal.
Clinth Lopez – Global Talent with Expo Roots
Clinth Lopez, also returning to NY's Premier Cocktail Festival. Having teamed with NY Cocktail Expo in 2019, working behind the scenes in brand partnerships and event production. His career quickly took off—launching a residency in NYC for London’s award-winning Lyaness, the flagship bar of the Mr. Lyan group.
He then moved to Washington, D.C. to help open Silver Lyan at the Riggs Hotel, where he now serves as Senior Bartender. His resume includes time at Michelin-starred restaurants Bresca, Jônt, and Albi, and he’s represented Westward Whiskey in the DMV market.
A national cocktail competition winner for Stauning, certified through WSET and the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, Clinth brings a rare mix of academic depth and real-world cocktail excellence. As a judge, he returns to NYCE with global insights, local loyalty, and a deep passion for hospitality evolution.
Tassia Lacerda – National Authority in Cocktail Culture & Bar Innovation
Tassia Lacerda joins NY’s Premier Cocktail Festival not just as a judge—but as a force in the beverage industry. With over two decades of hospitality leadership and a decade at the helm of her acclaimed mobile bar service, Crème de la Crème, Tassia has pioneered new standards in cocktail experiences nationwide. Recognized for her expert appearances on Bar Rescue, Tassia brings her on-camera precision and behind-the-scenes mastery to every pour. She’s consulted on bar operations across the U.S., developed high-margin cocktail programs for leading venues, and champions underrepresented talent through mentorship and national speaking engagements.
A recent competition winner for her clarified Coquito, Tassia fuses advanced technique with cultural storytelling, driven by her West Coast roots and multicultural background. She currently leads Forbidden Cocktail Club—a membership-based cocktail lab and community—while collaborating with major wellness brands like Lifetime Fitness to bring craft cocktails to new audiences.
As a judge, Tassia offers bold palate, cultural fluency, and industry insight. Her presence signals not just excellence—but evolution.
What to Expect at NY Cocktail Expo 2025
The NY Cocktail Expo 2025 returns to Melrose Ballroom on Sunday, August 17, delivering a one-day experience packed with tastings, competitions, and community energy. From its roots in 2016, the Expo has become NYC’s longest-running cocktail festival—spawning a second flagship event, the Island Spirit Cocktail Convention, now celebrating 10 years on Long Island.
This year, the Expo expands its competition categories with Mocktail and Wellness Cocktail Showcases, continuing its role as a trendsetter and educator in inclusive mixology. Expect vibrant programming, innovative spirits, and standout bars competing for top honors.
Just a few brands & venues on the 2025 floor: Miraflores, UME Plum, The Pathfinder, El Mayor Tequila, Barr Hill, Probitas Rum, Hendrick’s Gin, Tanduay Rum, Conniption Gin, Frucoco, Bull in China (Official Bar Tools), Beauty & Essex, Cellar 335, A10 Kitchen, and more.
🎟️ Industry, General & VIP tickets on sale now. Sponsor, brand, or bar? Join the movement. Limited exhibitor and sponsor spots remain. Tap into the most influential cocktail event community in the most iconic city in the world.
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