Aric Pihrag has been waiting five years to redeem himself in the Okanagan Spirits Mixoff.

The bartender was new to the scene in 琉璃神社 when he entered the competition as a bartender for Jack鈥檚.

鈥淚 realized I needed to step it up a little bit if I was going to do anything in this industry,鈥� said Pihrag.

The competition rounds up the best bartenders from the area with each contestant using two Okanagan Spirits in their cocktails along with a local craft beer, cider or wine.

鈥淚 sort of glanced, and just made a pretty simple, but delicious sour for that event. I didn鈥檛 use anything but Okanagan Spirits and you get dinged marks for that,鈥� he said.

Now, working at Raudz, Pihrag is working on his own vermouth and will be paired with past competition winner Chef Rod Butters for the 2023 event.

Pihrag encourages anyone who is looking forward to the event to grab tickets, as it will be a showcase the city鈥檚 best bartenders and chefs.

鈥淭here is nowhere you will be able to go to sample the best cocktails and bites in one evening,鈥� he said.

The Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery Mixoff will take place on Nov. 9 at the Laurel Packing House. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit and make sure to follow along on Facebook at .

READ MORE: 琉璃神社鈥檚 top bartenders mix it up during cocktail competition