The Wellest is kicking off Southern California’s first professional mocktail competition, “Zero Hour: Masters of Moxology,” at the Freaky Tiki Happening Festival on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The event, held at Shannon’s Corner in downtown Long Beach, promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, inclusivity, and all things zero-proof. Guests are invited to sip on innovative alcohol-free drinks crafted by top local bartenders and join in on the fun at this exciting new addition to the Long Beach social scene.
As wellness beverages continue to gain popularity, the competition will feature local mixologists—dubbed “moxologists”—who will showcase their skills by crafting delicious, sophisticated mocktails, or as The Wellest calls them, “moxology,” a blend of mixology and zero-proof drinks.
“We realized that our community wanted more zero-proof options in a variety of settings,” says Brandi Andres, founder of The Wellest. “Through our mobile bar, Bar|Non, we’re bringing alcohol-free experiences to festivals, social gatherings, and beyond. Shannon’s Corner is the perfect partner to introduce our first competition.”
The Competitors:
“Zero Hour” will showcase the talents of some of the region’s top moxologists:
- Conner Jessop of The Wicked Wolf, winner of the Long Beach Bartenders Guild’s Tropical Shakedown 2024 at The Bamboo Club
- Bryant Orozco, founder of Bar Nuda, LA’s first Mexican-inspired non-alcoholic pop-up
- Stev Jones of The Bamboo Club, People’s Choice winner at Tropical Shakedown 2024, known for his tiki-inspired mocktails
The Judges:
The competition will be judged by local food and beverage influencers who are leaders in the alcohol-free movement:
- James Tir (@lbfoodcoma), Long Beach food critic with over 80K followers
- Essie Evans, owner of Shirley’s Temple, Long Beach’s first alcohol-free bar, and winner of Yelp’s top spot for non-alcoholic cocktails in the U.S.
- Amber Pennington, co-owner of Free Spirited, Los Angeles’ only 100% non-alcoholic bar
Grand Prize:
The Grand Prize winner will receive $150 and an exciting collaboration opportunity to co-create a holiday mocktail menu for Secret Island Tiki Lounge, which will be featured throughout the 2024 holiday season.
This event was made possible in part through the collaboration of Andres and Vanessa Hernandez, manager at wellness sanctuary Human Aeon, who contributed to organizing the event. Human Aeon is also donating a one-month VIP membership (a $400 value) to the winner of the People’s Choice award and day passes to the runners ups.
“This isn’t just about winning a competition,” Andres explains. “It’s about giving local moxologists a platform to showcase their talent and influence Long Beach’s growing zero-proof cocktail culture.”
Festival Fun for All
Held at Shannon’s Corner, a beloved local venue, the Freaky Tiki Happening Festival will be a lively celebration of music, art, and mouthwatering food. Alongside the mocktail competition, The Wellest will host a pop-up shop offering non-alcoholic beverages for purchase, tastings from brands like Parch, Three Spirit, and Kavahol, and a panel discussion on zero-proof beverage trends led by Andres.
The competition will wrap up with an after-party at The Wicked Wolf, where attendees can continue enjoying the mocktail creations. For those looking to experience the mocktail magic at home, The Wellest will have drink kits and recipes available for purchase.
“We’re proud to partner with The Wellest and bring this event to life,” says Riley Hodges, VP of Shannon’s Corner Restaurant Group. “It’s about creating spaces where everyone, no matter their preference, can feel included. Offering zero-proof cocktails at our festival enhances the experience and reflects our commitment to innovation while honoring tradition.”
For tickets and more information, visit Handstamp Ticketing Link. Attendees who purchase in advance will be automatically entered to win $150 in zero-proof prizes.
