The New Amsterdam Vodka Bartender Challenge was held at the Newport Yachting Center on Monday, July 7, 2014. The event featured some of the area’s most creative bartenders showcasing their talents to develop cocktails featuring New Amsterdam Vodka available in the state from Johnson Brothers of RI. Over 300 people attended the New Amsterdam night and enjoyed America’s fastest growing vodka. The top three placing bartenders were Garrett Walsh, Courtney Sullivan and Jenny Santos. Other participants included Stephanie Harris of Sonoma Bistro and Wine Bar of North Kingstown and Kodi Keith of The Vanderbilt Grace in Newport.
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- 1st Place: Garrett Walsh from Buffalo Wild Wings in Warwick with the “Fresh Strawberry-Watermelon New Amsterdam Martini.” (2 oz. New Amsterdam Vodka, 1/4 oz. simple syrup, ½ oz. sour mix, 3 strawberries, 2 watermelon cubes. Muddle strawberries with vodka and simple syrup. Shake with no ice and strain into pint glass. Add watermelon followed by ice and sour mix. Shake 20 times then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with skewered frozen strawberry and watermelon.)
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- 2nd Place: Courtney Sullivan from Newport Blues Café with the “New Amsterdam Coconut Cocktail.” New Amsterdam Coconut Vodka shaken with a puree consisting of watermelon, strawberries, coconut water and agave nectar. Strain over ice with watermelon, coconut and strawberry garnish.
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- 3rd Place: Jenny Santos from Providence Coal Fired Pizza with the “New Amsterdam Berry and Citrus Cocktail.” New Amsterdam Berry Vodka, New Amsterdam Citrus Vodka, Lemoncello, fresh lemon juice and cranberry juice. Shake, then serve straight up.
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- Kathleen Held and Adrienne Gang of “Below Deck,” a reality television show on the Bravo Network.
