Sip, Savor, and Support: The 2026 Santa Maria Valley Craft Cocktail Contest
Get ready to toast to the best of the valley! Throughout the entire month of March, we are turning up the heat on our local liquid arts scene. From our world-class wineries to our hidden-gem dive bars and upscale eateries, Santa Maria Valley’s finest mixologists are competing for the ultimate title.
One Month. Dozens of Drinks. Two Big Winners.
From March 2 through March 31, 2026, participating locations across the Santa Maria Valley will feature a signature cocktail that captures the spirit, flavor, and soul of our region. Whether it’s a smoke-infused tribute to our famous BBQ or a refreshing nod to our coastal breeze, these drinks are crafted to impress.
How to Participate
We’ve made it easy for you to explore the valley one sip at a time. Here is how you can get involved:
- Explore: Visit any participating winery, brewery, or restaurant.
- Taste: Order the official "2026 Contest Entry."
- Vote: Help us crown the People’s Choice Winner!
Cast Your Vote via Social Media
Your voice (and your camera) matters! To vote for your favorite cocktail:
- Snap a photo of your drink.
- Post it to Instagram or Facebook.
- Tag it with our official hashtag: #SMVCraftCocktail26
Every post counts as a vote for that establishment, so don't forget to tag the location too!
The Battle for the Judges' Choice
While you’re out exploring, our panel of three expert judges will be doing some "homework" of their own. They will be visiting every participating location to evaluate each drink on:
- Creativity: Is it a unique reflection of Santa Maria Valley?
- Balance: Are the flavors harmonious
- Presentation: Does it look as good as it tastes?
At the end of the month, we’ll tally the scorecards and announce the Judges’ Choice Winner alongside the People’s Choice.
Find Your Next Favorite Drink
Check out the list of participating locations below and start planning your month-long tasting tour.
- Blast 825 Brewery: Mi Amor (My Love) The Inspiration: This cocktail represents the care put into every pour. We want you to fall in love with our craft just as we have fallen in amor with Santa Maria Valley.
- Naughty Oak Brewing Co.: Strawberry Season The Inspiration: There's nothing like the smell of freshly zested citrus for a craft cocktail. The bright lemon zest aroma inspired Naughty Oak to create a fruity, spiked lemonade (with strawberries, of course) to celebrate all the sunny days on the Central Coast. We created a house-made super juice from local lemons, mixed it up with a strawberry puree syrup, and Naughty Oak's Super Seltzer, and added a sprinkle of freeze-dried Santa Maria strawberries on the rim. It's simple, refreshing and nostalgic, like a pink Starbust in a glass!
- Cool Hand Luke's: The Midnight Rancher The Inspiration: Fresh blackberries, limes, and basil muddled with agave and tequila blanco. The Midnight Rancher gives a nod to our local ranchers who appreciate a classic tequila cocktail, and to our local agriculture, using fresh berries.
- Lark + Sparrow: Lemon Cream Pie Martini The Inspiration: Inspired by the sun-drenched groves of Santa Maria Valley, this martini is a tribute to our local citrus. We skip the bottled shortcuts and use fresh-squeezed lemons to capture that crisp Central Coast air. It’s sharp, sunlit, and unapologetically fresh, just like the place we call home.
Costa de Oro Winery: Rosa de la Costa The Inspiration: This cocktail is a refreshing twist on an Aperol Spritz, made with our 2023 Costa de Oro Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé and a non-alcoholic substitute called "Spritz del Conte." It features sparkling wine, club soda, simple syrup, and a candied orange peel, offering bright flavors of spiced orange, strawberry, and herbs. "Rosa de la Costa," meaning "Rosé of the Coast," highlights the grapes sourced from our Gold Coast Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Enjoy this refreshing drink on a sunny afternoon in Santa Maria!
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Santa Maria, The Range Kitchen and Bar: Coco Loco The Inspiration: A minty cool breeze reminiscent of Santa Maria winds, just a hop, skip, and jump to the beach.
- Maya Mexican Restaurant: Flor de Fuego The Inspiration: Experience a fresh twist on traditional Maya cuisine inspired by Tere’s favorite flower, the Hibiscus!
