The Shadow
RICHMOND, Va. (VR) – For Christa Thomas, the path to bartending success began on a whim and culminated this year with a victory at the prestigious 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games. Thomas’s creative flair and community spirit blended the perfect recipe for recognition among Virginia’s best mixologists.
Thomas took top honors at the annual competition, which this year took place at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. Open to bartenders and managers holding an ABC license anywhere in the Commonwealth, the games challenge entrants to create original cocktails based on themed prompts, first in virtual submission rounds and ultimately in a high-stakes in-person showdown.
“I participated in and, after a great deal of hard work, won the Virginia Cocktail Games for 2025.” That simple announcement belied months of hard work and preparation, all supported by friends, family, and colleagues.
The contest divides Virginia into five regions, and Thomas emerged as the semi-finalist for Western Virginia after her original online cocktail submission was chosen among hundreds.
“You have to promote yourself and the cocktail you created, asking people if they like it, vote for me,” Thomas explained. The top vote-getter from each region traveled to the state capital for the finals, a tradition-rich event by Virginia Distilled.
There, top bartenders not only mixed for a discerning panel of four judges but also for a crowd, competing for both the “People’s Choice” and the judges’ top marks. Thomas noted, “People’s Choice mattered, but the private judging was weighted much more heavily… so that it was really based off your skill, not your popularity.”
For the semi-finals, Thomas created “Virginia Sunrise,” a rye whiskey-based drink garnished with a unique red wine foam. For the final round, the prompt changed. She developed “Cardinal Rose,” featuring gin, Aperol, a homemade strawberry-rose honey syrup, and a vegan foam made with aquafaba. Both cocktails showcased Thomas’s penchant for visually striking, flavor-rich drinks.
“There’s so much to it,” she said, detailing the construction of her entries, which included smoky mezcal, maple syrup, fresh lemon, and intricate syrups and foams. Thomas explained that her inspiration for “Cardinal Rose” was powerfully personal.
“The Cardinal is like a symbol of loved ones… I lost my brother two years ago. There’s a lot of reasons I chose the things I did for that drink.”
Bartending wasn’t Thomas’s first calling. She started at The Greenbrier Resort without prior bar experience, quickly moving up to beverage supervisor. From there, she served as lead mixologist at The Hotel Roanoke and now works at The Homestead, recently celebrating four years at the historic resort.
“I can’t speak highly enough about my job there and how much I like it. I’m shocked how supportive they’ve been of everything I want to do,” she said. Thomas credits supportive mentors, a tight-knit community, and her own resolve for her quick ascent through the hospitality ranks.
Thomas said her favorite aspect of bartending is “creative freedom.” She loves crafting new recipes and values the opportunity to impact guests from around the world.
“You have the ability to leave an impression on someone,” she said. “It’s my favorite thing about it—just meeting people, being able to express myself creatively.”
From co-workers to the international staff at The Homestead, and online community members who rallied to vote for her, Thomas feels embraced.
“When people here know something’s going on, they’re going to rally around and try to help. I love the community where I live very much.”
Thomas hopes to one day compete on an even bigger stage, perhaps in the World Class competition. For now, she is grateful for her growing circle of supporters and the memories that infuse her winning cocktails.
“I draw a lot of inspiration from personal things… He [my brother] inspires a lot of what I do,” Thomas said.
As for her future creations, expect drinks that look “luscious,” with foams, froths, and flavors as rich as her journey.
