Sober Bartender Rises to Top at Berkeley Country Club

Samantha Zatkoff-Batton's journey to authenticity through sobriety and transition inspires non-alcoholic cocktail program

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:55pm

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Samantha Zatkoff-Batton, the 33-year-old Food and Beverage Manager at the prestigious Berkeley Country Club, has risen through the ranks to build a beverage program that celebrates alcoholic, low-alcoholic, and non-alcoholic options. Her own journey to sobriety and living authentically as a trans woman has inspired her work, including a signature cocktail called "The First Squeeze" that showcases the botanical complexity of non-alcoholic spirits.

Why it matters

Samantha's story highlights how the growing non-alcoholic movement is creating more inclusive spaces for people to live authentically, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community who may have previously relied on alcohol to cope with stress and societal pressures. Her work at the Berkeley Country Club demonstrates that quality non-alcoholic options can transcend demographics and provide hospitality for all, including those in recovery, pregnant members, and those on medication.

The details

After leaving the Marines and struggling with unemployment and depression, Samantha decided to transition and found sobriety with the support of her partner Dean Cooper. She then began working her way up in the beverage industry, starting as a bar cook and quickly becoming a bartender and then the Food and Beverage Manager at the Berkeley Country Club. In this role, she has developed a signature non-alcoholic cocktail called "The First Squeeze" that features botanical-forward non-alcoholic spirits from Abstinence Spirits, a brand founded by Ranwei Chiang whose own partner Delta came out and began transitioning around the same time.

  • Samantha came out as a trans woman and became sober in 2022 at the age of 30.
  • Samantha started working at the Berkeley Country Club in February 2024.
  • Samantha was promoted to Food and Beverage Manager in March 2025, on her 1-year anniversary at the club.

The players

Samantha Zatkoff-Batton

The 33-year-old Food and Beverage Manager at the Berkeley Country Club who has built a beverage program celebrating alcoholic, low-alcoholic, and non-alcoholic options after her own journey to sobriety and living authentically as a trans woman.

Dean Cooper

Samantha's partner who helped her gain the confidence to be her authentic self and pushed her to better herself.

Ranwei Chiang

The founder of Abstinence Spirits, a non-alcoholic spirits brand, whose partner Delta came out and began transitioning around the same time the business was launched.

Delta

Ranwei Chiang's partner who came out and began transitioning as Abstinence Spirits was being built.

Abstinence Spirits

A non-alcoholic spirits brand founded by Ranwei Chiang that is featured in Samantha's signature cocktail "The First Squeeze".

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What they’re saying

“Even on that first day, I knew it was the right decision. But I still relied on alcohol to deal with stress.”

— Samantha Zatkoff-Batton

“He helped me gain the confidence to be my authentic self and pushed me to better myself. He helped me see who I was, even when I struggled to see it.”

— Samantha Zatkoff-Batton

“Through Abstinence Spirits, I realized what a wonderful space the NA world is for people, and especially queer people [like Delta]. We love hearing people's stories and bringing great tasting alternatives to support their moderation or abstinence goals in their journey to find themselves.”

— Ranwei Chiang

What’s next

Samantha plans to continue expanding the non-alcoholic offerings at the Berkeley Country Club, with the goal of making it a welcoming and inclusive space for all members, regardless of their relationship with alcohol.

The takeaway

Samantha's journey from struggling with depression and alcoholism to becoming a sober, out trans woman and rising to a leadership role in the beverage industry shows how the non-alcoholic movement can create space for authentic living, especially for marginalized communities. Her work at the Berkeley Country Club demonstrates that quality non-alcoholic options can appeal to a wide range of customers and provide hospitality for all.