FAIRHOPE - Bartenders from around the Eastern Shore competed in the inaugural Eastern Shore Bartender's Championship, hosted by The Hope Farm in Fairhope on Thursday, Sept. 10.

During the event, bartenders competed for prizes by providing their own batch of custom drinks to be voted People's Choice, along with crafting a drink to be rated before a panel of three judges. Both The Hope Farm and Little Bird, owned by Deep Roots Restaurant Group, competed, along with 87 West, La Martina, 2 Shots In and Fairhope Social Club.

Following a tie-breaker, Fairhope Social Club, represented by bartender Baylyn Ball, swept the competition, winning People's Choice with her Baylyn's Pink Lotus cocktail, along with finishing in first place. The rum-based daiquiri featured an apricot liquor with honey, honeysuckle and a bit of lime juice blended together. La Martina was declared the runner up.

"I was really excited for the batch competition because I got a lot of time to prepare, but the judge competition was very nerve-racking, but still fun at the same time," Ball said.

Photos by Colin James / Gulf Coast Media