Latin Flavors Inspire The Mission’s Cocktail Menu

2026 Summer Cocktail Camp Interview with a Mixologist(s)
Zack Chatterton and Stevie Raeann from The Mission Kierland 

PHOENIX magazine heads to Kierland on July 19 for the next 2026 Summer Cocktail Camp event, this time at The Mission. The two-story temple to modern Latin flavors provides the setting to chef Matt Carter’s menu, while an oversized, backlit cross dominates the towering display of agave spirits behind the bar. This week, we got double the insight with beverage director Zack Chatterton and beverage manager Stevie Raeann, both weighing in on Mission’s mixology.  

Tell us all about The Mission’s cocktail program.  

Zack: Inspiration comes from Central and South America, Mexico, Spain and the Caribbean. The backbone of the program centers around agave spirits and margaritas, but the specialty cocktails draw from the culinary experience and other Latin flavors.  

We want to know about you! Give us your story.  

Zack: I accidentally fell into bartending over 20 years ago when the bartender didn’t show up for a shift at the place I was serving. After a few different forays, I arrived at The Mission ten years ago as a bartender. I advanced to the point of becoming one of the beverage directors about two years ago.  

Stevie: I’m an Arizona native, started bartending in rock n roll dive bars and nightclubs years ago but fell in love with the art of the craft in 2016 and haven’t looked back since. I’m celebrating four years with Broken Plate Hospitality this month and have been co-directing and curating the cocktails for our beverage program for two years with Zack! 

It might be hard to choose, we know, but do you have a favorite cocktail on the menu? 

Zack: This is like asking me which one of my kids is my favorite. I think the current favorite is the La Familia. It is a great summer cocktail that hits all the notes for me. 

Stevie: That’s hard! My favorite at the moment is Correndo na Chuva (“Racing in the Rain”) with cachaça, passion fruit, lemongrass, sherry and lime juice.  

We are slogging through the heat – what’s the first drink you reach for on a summer’s day?  

Zack: If I’m out of the house? Rum drinks, particularly a Mai Tai. At home? The coldest beer in the fridge and a pour of mezcal. 

Stevie: I love a good, spritzy gin cocktail!  

What should guests expect if they’re coming to The Mission for Cocktail Camp?  

Zack: Guests can expect to learn about the house-made ingredients we use in some of our most popular cocktails, as well as how we get inspiration and think through building a cocktail list that compliments the menu. We take a team approach to building great drinks and try not to take ourselves too seriously.