The Cocktail Classic 2025 Recap

by Raleigh Magazine | Nov 20, 2025 | Eat, November 2025

Our third annual The Cocktail Classic, held at The Exchange Raleigh Nov. 15, was the party of the year. 

Thank you to all of our sponsors—Rolls Royce, ILŪMRA Skin, Elm Partners, Whitley Law Farm, Killjoy and Vitis House—for bringing the sipworthy soiree to fruition. And shoutout to all who came out and sipped their way through cocktails from our 10 Best Bartender noms to vote for their fave, earning Sous Terre’s Sean McKinney the People’s Choice Award! Don’t forget to cast your ballot for Bartender of the Year (and Best Bars) by Dec. 1.

Click on the photo below to peruse our 2025 Cocktail Classic recap photo album and relive the spectacular event—or get a glimpse of why you should join us next year. Feel free to share any photos on social media—just be sure to tag us (@raleighmagazine) and credit Veritas Digital Photography (@veritas_digital_photography)!