OUT caught up with Greg Castillo - the recently crowned Dallas Champion in the 2017 Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic - fresh off his win. The Cocktail Classic is Stoli's annual competition to find North America's Number One Bartender. LGBTQ bartenders and allies across the U.S. and Canada will compete to represent their home city on the grand stage of cocktail mixology during Pride Week, June 7-11th, in Key West, Florida. Here's what Greg had to say about the competition.
OUT: Greg, congrats on being named the Dallas Champion in the 2017 Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic! How does it feel?
Greg: It feels AMAZING!! I'm super excited and truly honored to be representing Dallas, TX in this competition!
You were able to get an edge up on the rest of your Dallas competitors with a super fun cocktail, "Homo La Flor". Can you tell us a little bit about the drink, and your inspiration behind it?
The drink was inspired by my favorite Latina Icon SELENA! We share the same birthday and my favorite color is Purple. I used the title of one of her songs, "Como La Flor" to come up with the name for my cocktail "Homo La Flor" which translates to "The Gay Flower". The drink is infused with a mix of Stoli Blueberri, Bayou Satzuma, and a grape liquor.
The Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic honors the unique legacy of gay bars as original safe spaces and community centers and the role our bartenders have played as hosts and caretakers throughout history. Tell us about what your role as a nightlife professional means to you.
Being a nightlife professional means I am not only a mixologist to my customers but a therapist as well! While being behind the bar, at the Round Up Saloon, it's up to me to make a drink as tasty as possible and to make my customers feel comfortable and have a fabulous time! I am there to listen to my customers and let them vent about anything happening in their life. It's all about having a great time and making sure your friends/customers have an outstanding experience!
As you know, part of your prize for winning the Dallas competition is an all-expense-paid trip to Key West, FL this June. Have you ever been to Key West before?
I have never been to Florida! LOL! I always said that I wanted to take a trip and visit the state and now I get to experience one of the best places in Florida! I can't wait to be there! "Me siento muy.. EXCITED!" -Selena
And in Key West, you'll be competing for a chance to win $2,500 to $7,500 for your hand-picked charity, The Legacy Foundation. Anything you want to mention on your relationship to them, or why you picked that foundation to represent?
I decided to choose The Legacy Foundation in order to give back to the organization that helps patients with HIV/AIDS. I had a cousin who passed away from AIDS and knowing that there are places like The Legacy Foundation that helps patients live their last days in peace.
Any advice (or trash talk!) for your competitors as you head into the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic Finale - June 7th - 12th in Key West, FL?
My advice to my fellow competitors is, always believe that the IMPOSSIBLE, is ALWAYS possible, and as Mama RuPaul would say, "GOOD LUCK, and DON'T F__CK IT UP!" LOL!
To keep up with Greg and the rest of the action in the 4th Annual Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, visit OUT.com/KeyWestCocktailClassic.
