A nationwide competition that celebrates creativity and passion within the bartender community awards its final winner in Austin
AUSTIN, Tx. (September 25, 2024) – Deep Eddy Vodka is proud to announce the winner of its 2024 Craft the Fun Cocktail Challenge – Natasha Van Duser of New York. The contest, which launched its second annual competition in May, drew over 470 entries from talented bartenders across the country. After a select 30 contestants were chosen for the rigorous semi-final rounds in Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, and San Diego, five exceptional finalists were picked to compete in Austin, Texas, the home of Deep Eddy Vodka, for the Grand Prize.
The finalists, Jarad Crowell of Austin, Texas, Jennifer Yim of Las Vegas, Nevada, Makenzie Helem of St. Louis, Missouri, Natasha Van Duser of New York, New York and Ruby Smith of Atlanta, Georgia, earned their spots after showcasing their creativity and skills in the regional competitions. Each finalist was invited to Austin with all expenses paid to compete in the mid-September finals round of the challenge.
“We launched the Craft the Fun Cocktail Challenge to remind bartenders why they fell in love with their craft—the ability to have fun while showcasing their creativity,” said Julie Cole, Brand Director. “The talent this year has been extraordinary, and we’re thrilled to celebrate these bartenders and their passion.”
The final round tasked the bartenders with creating an immersive, three-part cocktail experience that demonstrated their technique, hospitality and creativity to the judges. Judging the competition were industry leaders Lynn House, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and Christine Wiseman. In the end, Natasha Van Duser emerged as the 2024 Craft the Fun Cocktail Challenge Winner. Natasha impressed the judges with her standout cocktails titles Hotel Transylvania, Nosferatu’s Cornbread, and The Jackie Daytona. She was awarded the grand prize of $5,000, along with the opportunity to be featured on Deep Eddy Vodka’s website, social media platforms, and an advertisement in Chilled Magazine. Second place went to Jennifer Yim of Las Vegas, whose performance also captivated the judges with her finesse and innovative ideas.
“What I loved about Natasha was that she showcased her authentic self,” said Lynn House, Craft the Fun judge and National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist for Heaven Hill Brands. “She celebrated Deep Eddy and told a great story while doing so. Natasha’s cocktails were delicious, well-balanced, and mindful.”
With a fantastic turnout and fierce competition, this year’s challenge highlighted the incredible talent and dedication within the bartender community. Deep Eddy Vodka looks forward to continuing its support for bartenders across the nation and is excited to create more opportunities for them to further showcase their skills and love for the craft.
About Deep Eddy Vodka: Deep Eddy Vodka is a high-quality vodka with an even higher purpose: to bring people together for good times. Created in Austin, Texas in 2010, it was named after a beloved city swimming hole, a place known locally for lively crowds and laid-back fun. The brand embodies everything essential to Austin— sunshine, stellar vibes, ample excuses to get together with friends — and bottles it up for the world to enjoy. The result is a refreshing family of real vodkas made with real ingredients for real fun. All meant to be enjoyed however, wherever and with whatever you like. The company’s line of products includes Deep Eddy Original Vodka, Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka, Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka, Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Deep Eddy Peach Vodka, Deep Eddy Orange Vodka, Deep Eddy Lime Vodka, Deep Eddy Vodka Hard Seltzers, and Deep Eddy Vodka Tea Hard Seltzers. An Established Growth Brand according to Beverage Information Group, Deep Eddy Vodka is recognized for its unique production process and incorporation of real, natural ingredients in its flavors. More information on the brand can be found at @DeepEddyVodka on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or at www.deepeddyvodka.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kaitlynn West
Heaven Hill Brands
kwest@heavenhill.com