Long Beach Last Call 2026 is upon us, my fair city. This 10-day celebration of our city’s vibrant cocktail and bar culture will host a series of events—including this all-ladies cocktail competition at Port City Tavern.
Presented by Mijenta—a woman-owned and -operated tequileria out of Jalisco and headed by master distiller Ana María Romero—we decided to turn this year’s competition in an all-female event to honor and celebrate Women’s History Month. The participants? All women. The judges? All women. And the spirit being featured? Made for and by women.
So let’s give around of applause to the creative ladies of an industry that is often dominated by men.
Is it cool if I just want to attend this Long Beach cocktail competition?
Of course. In fact, we encourage it: There will be a people’s choice as attendees will sample the cocktails and vote.
Competition Details
The objective is simple: Create an original cocktail featuring 1.5oz of at least one of two Mijenta products being featured—in this case: Blanco and Reposado—showcasing your unique skills and creativity behind the bar.
There are two ways to enter: use this form to submit your recipe or email portcitytavernlb@gmail.com by Feb.23 23rd. Your recipe should include: the cocktail name; ingredients List (be sure to include measurements); and instructions on how to make the cocktail. Along with your recipe, include a photo of yourself—preferably behind the bar but a selfie from anywhere is fine—and a picture of the drink.
Competition Rules
- Original cocktail: Your recipe must be 100% your own creation—no pre-existing cocktail recipes.
- Mijenta-focused: The cocktail must feature at least 1.5 oz of one of the approved Mijenta Tequila products.
- Bar location: You must currently work at a bar located in Long Beach to be eligible.
- Submission Deadline: All entries must be submitted by Feb. 23
Judging Criteria
The top four cocktail submissions will be selected to compete at the event. All cocktails will be scored based on the following criteria:
- Presentation (25%) – How visually appealing is the cocktail? Does it make an impression?
- Creativity (25%) – How unique and inventive is the cocktail? Does it push the boundaries of traditional mixology?
- Balance & Taste (25%) – Is the cocktail well-balanced? How does it taste—are the flavors harmonious?
- Complexity (25%) – How intricate and thoughtful is the cocktail? Does it demonstrate skill and technique?
