Enjoy Rum, BBQ, and a Dash of Cheerwine Come Sunday

Because nothing says “North Carolina summer” quite like high-stakes mixology and a side of smoked meat.

Round out your weekend on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Longleaf Swine for the latest installment of the Local Spirit cocktail competition. Boatman Spirits Co. is pitting five of Raleigh’s heavy hitters—including bartenders from Mala Pata, William & Co., and Foundation—against a wild-card challenge: crafting the perfect cocktail using Kill Devil Rum and our state’s unofficial nectar, Cheerwine.

The best part? You aren’t just a spectator; you’re on the jury. Attendees get to sample the entries alongside a panel of judges to help crown the cocktail king of Edenton Street. It’s a high-energy, local-heavy showdown that perfectly blends the Oak City’s craft cocktail scene with its deep-rooted love for a good cookout vibe.

📍 Longleaf Swine – 300 E. Edenton St., Raleigh, NC 27601
📅 Sunday, May 24, 2026 | 7 p.m.
💰 Free to attend
📎 longleafswine.com

May the best bartender win, but honestly, when rum and Cheerwine are involved, we’re all winners. Just make sure to grab a tray of good eats while you’re there—scouting cocktails is hungry work.

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Lisa Jeffries Nobling

Founder + Principal at Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group

Lisa Jeffries, a 2007 graduate of N.C. State University’s Wilson College of Textiles and Poole College of Management, has been working in marketing since 2005. Her professional work experience ranges from independent, family-owned businesses to high-growth tech startups. Lisa’s specific areas of expertise include new media and experiential marketing for service-based businesses. Passionate about her clients, cheering on the Wolfpack, live music, and rescuing animals, she is also the founder of Raleigh Food & Wine and Raleighwood Wifi. Lisa completed the NC State + SKEMA Business School MSc dual master’s degree program in Global Luxury Management in 2016, publishing a thesis, Location-Based Opportunities for Brand Marketing With Emphasis on Application Within Luxury Industries.

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