Back Bar USA’s charitable “For the Love of Cocktails” event celebrated its fifth year of honoring Las Vegas’ cocktail culture on Friday, May 18, at the annual event’s grand gala, 
held at Skyfall Lounge on the 64th floor of Delano Las Vegas.
Presented in partnership with MGM Resorts International and the United States Bartenders’ Guild, “For the Love of Cocktails” hosted hundreds of attendees buzzing with excitement while sampling the latest cocktail trends. The event showcased specialty cocktails from more than 45 mixologists, each created with a sponsored spirit.
Back Bar USA made a $25,485.56 donation to the Helen David Relief Fund, a non-profit organization that assists bartenders affected by breast cancer, as well as a $2,500 donation to Las Vegas’ United States Bartenders’ Guild chapter. “For the Love of Cocktails” has donated the proceeds to the Helen David Relief Fund since the event’s inception, with more than $100,000 raised to date.
This year’s lead mixologists were Derick Baumgartner from Lago by Julian Serrano in Bellagio and Derek Crow from Libertine Social in Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Baumgartner’s featured drink was “A Shot at the Knight,” made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Bénédictine, oleo saccharum and orange and lemon juices. Crow served his “Sabor del Amor,” made with Herradura Silver Tequila, a Grand Marnier infusion, Licor 43 and absinthe, garnished with dehydrated orange and Moroccan nuts.
Other featured mixologists included Sarah Delgado-Rith from Rosina in The Venetian Las Vegas; Jair Bustillos from District One Kitchen & Bar; Cesar De La Rosa from Skyfall Lounge in Delano Las Vegas; Gary Schneck from Parlor Lounge in The Mirage Hotel & Casino and Garth Lutsko from Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar in Park MGM Las Vegas. Other highlights of the evening included gourmet cuisine from Alain Ducasse’s Rivea and live entertainment from The Moonshiners, all set to a backdrop of stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip.
