Bossier City Bartender Takes Home Golden Shaker Prize at Prize Fest

There is a new mixologist with epic bragging rights this year. Shalom Sahlie, from Prohibition Bar at Red River Billiards, is officially the 2025 Golden Shaker Winner.

The win came at Prize Fest's epic "Come And Get It" dinner, which saw six incredible cocktail artists battling it out for the coveted title and a $1,000 cash prize. The Remington rooftop was filled with hundreds of foodies eager to try every possible bite and, of course, every signature drink.

From "Yessir" Bartender to Golden Shaker Champion

Shalom wasn't too worried about facing off against some of the bigger names in the Shreveport mixology scene. With more than 10 years behind the bar and six years leading them, Shalom Sahlie has mixed it up everywhere from collaborations with Las Vegas celebrity chefs to his current spot at South Bossier's Prohibition Bar at Red River Billiards.

His decade-long career represents a journey from a service job to a true craft. "I have been a 'yessir' bartender a lot longer," Shalom explains. "When someone comes to your bar and says, 'Let me get a Vodka and cranberry,' I used to go 'yessir.'"

"Then I became passionate," he says, describing his shift to a craft-focused approach. "I’d never make that vodka cranberry without saying, 'Let me make you a Cosmopolitan.' If you start with ordering a cosmopolitan, then let me make you something similar but with tequila. 'Everyone loves tequila!' Hahaha."

This passion for creative flavors led to competitions like Prize Fest and the launch of his private bartending service, Cocktails with Shalom.

"My name started to get out, and lately I’ve been enjoying showing my work not just in Shreveport-Bossier but also in East and West Texas," he notes.

You can currently stop by anytime and grab one of Shalom’s cocktails at Prohibition Bar inside Red River Billiards, where you can also find Loooisian Bistreaux for your Cajun cuisine fix.

The Winning Pour: The Nutty Islander

Going into this year's Prize Fest competition, Shalom wanted to do something both challenging and different. "I chose rum for my spirit, looking to do a Tiki cocktail, which I’m not big on, but I told myself the cocktail wasn’t for me," he explains.

The resulting cocktail, named “Nutty Islander,” was an ambitious and complex blend that won over the judges and attendees.

The ingredients included:

Coconut fat-washed rum

Roasted Pistachio Orgeat

Jalapeño-infused pineapple juice

Lime juice

It was then finished with a unique presentation: a pistachio cream rub on the rim and roasted pistachio dust as a topper.

"Lots of work," Shalom admits about the preparation. "To de-shell and skin enough pistachios one by one to make drinks for 400 people was definitely a 'nutty' move, but it paid off." The bold flavors, fresh ideas, and plenty of personality he promises in every pour clearly paid off big time!

Connect with Shalom

Passionate about craft cocktails and always chasing new inspiration, Shalom also shakes things up with Cocktails with Shalom for private events.

You can reach out to Shalom at Cocktailwithshalom@gmail.com, find him online at @Cocktailswith.shalom, or visit him at Prohibition Bar at Red River Billiards on Instagram.