NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 4, 2026) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is pleased to announce its partnership with Espolòn Tequila to produce Cocktail Fights: La Resurrección, a raucous, over-the-top bartender competition that is equal parts craft, chaos, and camaraderie. The program will activate across four U.S. markets in 2026, engaging up to 1,000 bartenders.
A beloved industry staple that launched before the pandemic, Cocktail Fights returns under its most fitting name yet, because this competition refuses to stay dead. Cocktail Fights: La Resurrección is designed to break out of the formulaic trade competition mold, rewarding not just technical skill but personality, creativity, and competitive spirit, all while deepening bartenders’ connection to Espolòn Tequila’s heritage, liquid, and brand story.
Event Schedule:
- Houston, TX — Monday, May 18, 2026
- New York, NY — Monday, June 15, 2026
- Los Angeles, CA — Monday, August 3, 2026
- Miami, FL — Monday, August 31, 2026
Everyone who walks through the door is a competitor. Guests are checked in, handed numbered bibs, and given $50 in Ramón Bucks, the in-venue currency that fuels the night’s games, bets, and side hustles. The competition unfolds across four increasingly demanding rounds, all presided over by La Catrina — the evening’s towering, 9-foot game master — with the field narrowing from over 100 players down to a single champion.
Competitors will face elimination games inspired by chance and split decision-making, mystery cocktail challenges that reward sharp palates and quick thinking, and a physical gauntlet that pays homage to the craft behind Espolòn Tequila. The night culminates in a live cocktail competition where a secret ingredient – chosen by the audience – gives the final four one last variable to master. A wildcard round resurrects eliminated players for one final, gloriously chaotic shot at the grand prize: a trip to the Espolòn Tequila home distillery in Jalisco, Mexico.
No one who walks in is just a spectator. Guests not competing — or those who’ve been eliminated — can keep the night going in the Outer Ring, where side bets, table games, a merch table, a cocktail bar, and roaming illicit characters keep the energy and the Ramón Bucks flowing. Guest bartenders in each city will also showcase a custom Espolòn Tequila serve throughout the evening.
Guiding guests through the mayhem will be Campari America’s Mexican Spirits Portfolio Ambassadors Mary Palac and Tony Flores, who will partner with La Catrina to emcee the night, though how much order they will be able to maintain is entirely up to the crowd.
Iconic fashion designer and Project Runway fan favorite Mondo Guerra has designed La Catrina’s show-stopping costume exclusively for the tour. Bringing it to life is RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 breakout star and fan favorite Crystal Methyd, one of the most creative, magnetic, and unpredictable performers in the game today. As La Catrina, Crystal will preside over all four markets as a 9-foot force of nature, dishing out challenges, commanding the room, and hiding a few secrets under that dress.
“La Catrina is not just a character, she is the heartbeat of the whole night. She commands the room, drives the chaos, and somehow keeps everyone on their toes all at once – in the best way. That energy feels very Espolòn,” said Crystal. “Getting to bring her to life for bartenders across the country is an absolute honor, and I promise she is not the kind of presence you forget.”
“When we were asked to design La Catrina’s costume for Cocktail Fights: La Resurrección, we knew it had to be as bold, irreverent, and larger than life as the competition itself,” said Mondo Guerra. “La Catrina is an iconic figure, and we wanted every detail of her look to honor that legacy while channeling Espolòn’s unapologetically authentic spirit. Every stitch tells a story. And trust us, you do not want to know what is hiding underneath that dress.”
Each event will crown two winners: the Cocktail Fights champion from the Final Round and one from the Wildcard match. Both earn an educational trip to the Espolòn Tequila distillery and brand home in Jalisco, Mexico.
To learn more about Cocktail Fights: La Resurrección and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, please visit the TOTCF website.
XXXX
About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation:
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. As the world’s leading spirits education platform, the Foundation provides year-round programs and initiatives that foster professional growth and drive meaningful change. Each July, the industry gathers in New Orleans, the beating heart of cocktail culture and hospitality, for a one-of-a-kind conference that blends education, networking, and celebration like no other. Guided by its core pillars—Educate, Advance, and Support—the Foundation’s impact extends far beyond the U.S., reaching professionals and communities around the world. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026
About Espolòn® Tequila
Distilled from hand-harvested 100% Blue Weber Agave in Los Altos, the Highlands region of Jalisco, Espolòn’s award-winning tequilas are the pride of the Casa San Nicolás. Espolòn was the realization of a lifelong desire for late founder and Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza, who dreamed of creating a tequila that blends artisanal Mexican tradition with modern techniques.
Espolòn is, at its heart, a tribute to Mexican culture, with striking bottle designs by the rich, storied history of Mexico. Through its labels, Espolòn pays tribute to a true luminary – José Guadalupe Posada. Posada was a 19th century artist and printmaker, a real pioneer, and a bit of a rebel. His most famous work, the calaveras (skeletons), were a powerful commentary on the social injustices of his time. He gave his people a voice and gave the art world a style that continues to influence pop culture today. Today, Espolòn Tequila Blanco, Espolòn Tequila Reposado, Espolòn Tequila Añejo and Espolòn Cristalino each spotlight different moments in Mexican history, led by the legendary rooster, Ramón. For more information on Espolòn, visit espolontequila.com. Please drink responsibly.
About Campari Group
Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spanning across aperitifs, including iconic brands like Aperol and Campari, agave spirits such as Espolòn tequila, whiskeys and rum with Wild Turkey and Appleton Estate, as well as cognac and champagne including Courvoisier and Grand Marnier. Founded in 1860, Campari Group is one of the fastest growing global spirits companies and the undisputed leader in the aperitif category. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group operates via 24 production sites worldwide and its own distribution network in 27 countries. Campari Group employs approximately 4,800 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/en. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.
©2026 Campari America, New York, NY. Please enjoy responsibly.
Media Inquiries:
BMF Media
Espolòn Tequila
