Bananas, Peaches, and Whiskey: Beat The Influencer 2025 Recap

After weeks of anticipation, it all came down to one night, one stage, and one big question: who would take home $10,000 and bragging rights?

Spoiler: Seattle’s own Jonathan Stanyard rose to the challenge. His cocktail, Bananas for Nancy, earned him the grand prize and the title of Beat The Influencer Champion. Jonathan has been in hospitality for more than 25 years, building his reputation across the West Coast. He’s the head of The Bitter Gringo Co., a consulting and education outfit, and his trophy shelf is already impressive: World’s Best Margarita (2022) and World Class US Bartender of the Year (2024). When he’s not behind the bar, he’s into music, film, and the outdoors, often with his cat, Linguini, at his side. This win adds another feather to his very stylish cap.

But let’s not forget the crowd favorite. Colorado’s Ashley Hindes brought the house down with her cocktail, Death By Peaches, winning the People’s Choice Award, a WWE-style championship belt, and a sweet $1,000 prize. Ashley’s reputation for seasonally inspired cocktails and her ability to connect with guests through flavor and storytelling shone brightly on stage. She left Austin with a belt on her shoulder and a fan base that’ll be cheering for her long after the night ended.

Rounding out the lineup were two brilliant contenders who gave Austin plenty to cheer for:

• Tiarnan O’Gara, originally from Dublin, cut his teeth bartending in London’s private clubs and world-class restaurants before moving stateside to consult for some of New York’s best bars. Now in Phoenix, he’s building creative beverage programs and living his best Southwest life outdoors.
  
  
• Brooklyn Parsons, a 21-year-old Fredericksburg native, made his competition debut at Beat The Influencer. By day, he runs the tasting room at Dietz Distillery, and by night, he’s making cocktail content, shooting videos, and hanging with his friends over lake days, late nights, and Whataburger runs.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a competition without an all-star judging panel:

• Chris Leavitt, the influencer everyone was trying to beat, who brings cinematic storytelling and sharp technique to every cocktail.
  
  
• Ken Kodys of Still Austin Whiskey Co., a world cocktail champion, author, consultant, and basketball hall-of-famer with more than 15 years of industry experience.
  
  
• Justin Sajda, better known as ThirstyWhale, who proves cocktails don’t have to be intimidating, mixing humor with high-level technique and teaching thousands online.
  
  
• Justin Lavenue, co-founder of Austin’s Roosevelt Room and one of Food & Wine’s “Best New Mixologists.”
  

The night was electric. Glasses clinked, the crowd roared, and East Austin felt alive. And the best news? Beat The Influencer will be back next year. So if you think you’ve got what it takes to outshake, outstir, and outpour the best, start practicing now.

Until then, cheers to Jonathan, Ashley, Tiarnan, and Brooklyn. You made this city proud, and you made this competition unforgettable.