Champions crowned in Classic and Flair Techniques
HENDERSON, NV - The United States Bartenders’ Guild announces today the winners in the 2026 United States Cocktail Championship (USCC) in both Classic and Flair Technique. The Finals, in which representatives from USBG communities across the country competed, were held Tuesday, July 21 at the famed Sazerac House in New Orleans.
Classic and Flair competitors battled it out for their respective titles, named after influential founding USCC members: The Dagostino Award, named after Bobby Dagostino, and the Husted Award, named after Rob Husted.
USCC National Champions:
- Classic Champion (Dagostino Award): Anastasia Cooper
- Flair Champion (Husted Award): Héctor Rangel Marquez
Prior to moving on to the national championship, competitors in Classic Technique finished at the top of their groups in competitions hosted by USBG communities from Dallas and West Palm Beach to Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), and Louisville. Those in Flair Technique topped groups in competitions hosted by both regional USBG communities and the Flair Bartenders Association.
Classic Champion (Dagostino Award): Anastasia Cooper has built a career working at some of the hospitality industry's most respected bars, where a passion for continuous learning and excellence has shaped her approach to bartending. For Cooper, competition is about more than winning—it's an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from fellow professionals, and elevate the craft alongside some of the industry's best. Her dedication to growth, collaboration, and technical excellence earned her the title of 2026 United States Cocktail Championship Classic Champion.
Flair Champion (Husted Award): Héctor Rangel Marquez brings 18 years of bartending experience to the national stage. Originally from Mexico and now working at The Laboratory Agave House in Brownsville, Texas, Héctor has dedicated his career to mastering the art of flair bartending while delivering exceptional hospitality. His passion, precision, and years of experience culminated in a standout performance that earned him the title of 2026 United States Cocktail Championship Flair Champion.
The champions will now prepare to hit the global stage in Macau (Oct 19-24) to represent the US at the World Cocktail Championship (WCC) competition.
Said USBG Executive Director Bo Shuff, “Congratulations to Cooper and Héctor. The creativity on display at yesterday’s finals demonstrates the extremely high level of talent developed over years and years of dedication to the craft. We’re so proud of all the competitors and look forward to seeing even more as the winners carry the flag for the United States at the World Cocktail Championship in Macau.”
To support the work of Team USBG and help champion bartenders across the United States, visit usbg.org to make a contribution or explore partnership opportunities.
Follow the USBG through multiple social media channels: IG/FB/X: @usbg/@TheUSBG/@TheUSBG.
About the United States Bartenders’ Guild
Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders' Guild is the national, member-led not-for-profit association of bartenders and other hospitality professionals that unites and elevates the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy. Through its network, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, service projects, and skills-based competition, all while fostering a fun and healthy environment and reinforcing the importance of the ‘third place’ in neighborhoods across the country.
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