Aric Pihrag has been waiting five years to redeem himself in the Okanagan Spirits Mixoff.

The bartender was new to the scene in Kelowna when he entered the competition as a bartender for Jack害羞草研究所檚.

害羞草研究所淚 realized I needed to step it up a little bit if I was going to do anything in this industry,害羞草研究所� said Pihrag.

The competition rounds up the best bartenders from the area with each contestant using two Okanagan Spirits in their cocktails along with a local craft beer, cider or wine.

害羞草研究所淚 sort of glanced, and just made a pretty simple, but delicious sour for that event. I didn害羞草研究所檛 use anything but Okanagan Spirits and you get dinged marks for that,害羞草研究所� he said.

Now, working at Raudz, Pihrag is working on his own vermouth and will be paired with past competition winner Chef Rod Butters for the 2023 event.

Pihrag encourages anyone who is looking forward to the event to grab tickets, as it will be a showcase the city害羞草研究所檚 best bartenders and chefs.

害羞草研究所淭here is nowhere you will be able to go to sample the best cocktails and bites in one evening,害羞草研究所� he said.

The Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery Mixoff will take place on Nov. 9 at the Laurel Packing House. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit and make sure to follow along on Facebook at .

READ MORE: Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 top bartenders mix it up during cocktail competition