3 Badge Mixology, Opici Family Distributors and the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) New Haven Chapter teamed up to present the 3 Badge Spirits Cocktail Competition at Ordinary in New Haven on April 10. Out of hundreds of submissions, eight recipes were chosen by judges based on creativity, theory and name. The bartenders were invited to mix their creations for guests at Ordinary, who then sampled the creations and voted for their favorites. The cocktails were also judged by a panel, including Dimitrios Zahariadis, USBG New Haven President, Owner of The Cocktail Chemist and Co-founder of Highland Brass Company; Chuck Kane, National Sales Manager, 3 Badge Mixology; and David Berlin, Eastern Regional Manager, 3 Badge Mixology. First place went to Christian Orlando of Barracuda Restaurant and Bar, who took home $500.00 and a bottle of Bozal Coyote clay pot distilled mezcal. Al Greenwood, Owner of Oakhaven Table & Bar and Bull & Swine BBQ, took home the second-place prize, $250.00 and Kirk & Sweeny 23-Year-Old Rum, and third place went to Aaron Stepka, Beverage Director at Cook and The Bear, who took home an Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin three-pack. Moises Ramirez of Ordinary won the The People’s Choice designation.
-
- First place winner Christian Orlando of Barracuda Restaurant and Bar with Timothy Cabral, Owner, Ordinary.
-
- The winning cocktail by Christian Orlando.
-
- Moises Ramirez, Bartender, Ordinary, was named People’s Choice Award winner at the 3 Badge Spirits Cocktail Competition.
-
- Dimitrios Zahariadis, USBG New Haven President, Owner of The Cocktail Chemist and Co-founder of Highland Brass Company; G.W. Smith, ON20; Dan Shekman, General Manager, Oak Haven Table & Bar; Conrad Meurice, Bar Manager, Chango Rosa Tacos; Moises Ramirez, Bartender, Ordinary; Timothy Cabral, Owner, Ordinary; Aaron Stepka, Beverage Director at Cook and The Bear; Scott Randall, Vice President of Sales, Opici Family Distributing and (bottom front) Christian Orlando, Barracuda Restaurant and Bar.
