Ashe Ortiz of Supperland: Bartending as a Ceremony and Storytelling
Every cocktail tells a story, and for Ashe Ortiz of Supperland, bartending is more than craft—it’s an act of expression, history, and even ceremony. With seven years behind the bar, Ashe has built a reputation for bold, layered cocktails infused with cultural references, artistry, and deeply personal meaning. Her work demonstrates how mixology can transcend recipes and become a medium for storytelling, heritage, and community connection.
From Family Roots to Her Own Craft
Hospitality has been part of Ashe’s life since childhood. Her earliest introduction to the bar came from her mother, who also worked as a bartender. Watching her mother navigate hospitality left a lasting impression. By the time Ashe stepped behind the bar herself, she carried that inherited knowledge along with her own creative instincts.
Her background in musical theatre also shaped her path. As a performer, Ashe learned how to hold a room’s attention, balance discipline with creativity, and pour emotion into her work. Singing, tap dancing, and performing alongside Tony award winners may not seem directly connected to bartending, but the artistry of storytelling links both worlds. Today, she brings that same flair for performance to hospitality, treating each cocktail as a stage piece meant to evoke feelings and tell stories.
Expressive, Expansive, Espiritualista
Asked to describe her cocktail style in three words, Ashe chose: expressive, expansive, and espiritualista. The Spanish term, meaning spiritualist, captures her approach: each drink is infused with intention, cultural memory, and emotional resonance. For Ashe, bartending isn’t about simply mixing liquids—it’s about creating a sensory ritual.
Her flavor choices reflect that philosophy. She gravitates toward robust, complex profiles with ingredients that evoke passion and depth. Sweet potato, benne seed, watermelon, and even yeast have all found their way into her creations. The seasons inspire her as well, with fall holding a special place in her process for its richness and warmth.
Inspiration Across Culture, Music, and Art
Ashe draws deeply from her Mexican heritage, weaving cultural references into both flavors and presentation. Beyond cuisine, Mexican spirituality and folklore inspire much of her work, with cocktails often doubling as reflections on identity and history.
Her synesthesia also plays a unique role. The condition allows her to perceive sensory overlaps—seeing sounds as colors, or tasting language as hues. This unusual wiring gives her an extra dimension of creativity. A piece of music or a striking painting might spark an idea for a flavor pairing simply because the color palette resonates with her palate. Few bartenders can claim to literally taste in technicolor, but for Ashe, it’s a daily reality that adds depth to her craft.
A Cocktail as Commentary
For the upcoming Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition, Ashe’s entry will be more than a drink. Without giving away too much, she hints at a cocktail that integrates multiple cultural influences and nods to history. The process, she explains, is methodical and spiritual—“ceremonial in a way.”
The drink also carries personal meaning. As a Mexican woman, Ashe weaves her identity and experiences into the flavors and concept. She even describes it as a comment on patriarchy, making her entry not only a cocktail but also a piece of cultural dialogue. Her hope is that guests taste passion, pride, and reflection in every sip.
Women in Hospitality: Strength and Duality
One of Ashe’s favorite aspects of being a woman in hospitality is the duality she embodies. She thrives on drive and ambition but also leads with nurture and care. In her words, she hustles, but she also loves. This balance gives her a distinctive edge in hospitality, where both resilience and empathy are equally essential.
Challenges, however, remain. Like many women in the industry, Ashe has faced doubt about her competency, often subtle or hidden. Prejudice can manifest as overt questioning or, more insidiously, as unspoken assumptions. Navigating these dynamics has demanded strength, but it has also reinforced her determination to prove her voice belongs behind the bar.
Ashe draws inspiration from women who have reshaped the beverage industry through their creativity and leadership. Figures like @varmaid, Colleen Hughes, Lorena Vàsquez, and Monica Berg serve as examples of women redefining what bartending and hospitality can be. For Ashe, these women are proof that resilience, artistry, and vision can dismantle barriers and build paths for future talent.
What Guests Can Expect
At Battle of the Babes, guests can anticipate more than an impressive cocktail from Ashe—they’ll experience a drink that feels almost like ritual. Her goal is to create moments of reflection and joy, a toast not only to the bartending community but to each guest’s own journey. A sip of her cocktail is meant to be an experience in itself: complex, layered, and filled with meaning.
Why It Matters for Consumers and Businesses
For consumers, supporting bartenders like Ashe is about more than enjoying a cocktail. It’s about valuing the artistry, history, and individuality behind every drink. By attending events like Battle of the Babes, guests participate in a broader celebration of women in hospitality—championing diversity, creativity, and inclusion in an industry that thrives on them.
For businesses, Ashe’s story underscores the importance of empowering bartenders to bring their full selves to the craft. Allowing mixologists to draw from culture, personal identity, and unconventional inspiration creates more than great drinks—it builds a richer, more resonant guest experience. Supporting voices like Ashe’s not only enriches menus but also strengthens community and customer loyalty.
HoCo: Supporting the Future of Hospitality
At HoCo, we believe in nurturing talent and creating spaces where creativity and collaboration flourish. From consulting and marketing strategies to event execution, HoCo works to unify the hospitality industry through innovation and partnership. By spotlighting women like Ashe, we reaffirm our commitment to a more inclusive and dynamic future for hospitality.
The Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition
The best way to experience Ashe’s artistry is to see her compete live. The 5th Annual Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition will take place on September 28, 2025, from 4–8 PM at Merchant + Trade in Uptown Charlotte. With panoramic rooftop views, bold cocktails, and an atmosphere of celebration, the event will showcase extraordinary women shaping the industry.
Your ticket includes entry, eight cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a swag bag, and a night of unforgettable entertainment.
Come raise a glass to Ashe, and to all the women redefining hospitality.
