The Taste of Rhode Island, Rhody Foody & Friends, Two Bullyz LLC and the Restaurant App, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Night Market, hosted a Wicked Best Martini competition at Mulligan’s Island in Cranston on Aug. 10. Local bartenders created their best martinis using Velo Vodka as the base spirit. Based in South Boston, the ultra-premium Velo Vodka was founded and is run by mother-and-daughter team Colleen and Riley Eyges. Competition judges included Mario Hilario, NBC 10 WJAR; Christina Erne, NBC 10 WJAR; Dakota Randall, Pro Football Network Patriots Reporter; Reilly O’Hearn, Boozy Bitchez; Kem Phanna, Petite Travel Eats 360; Kennedy Buck, NBC 10 WJAR; and Jamie Long, Tasting RI. Competitors showcased their skills and their representative venues, mixing up original craft martini tastes for judges and guests. Nichole Bonollo, Owner, Sippin’ Pretty Mobile Bar, was the Judges’ Choice winner with her Elder-Dragon Tini, a blend of Velo Vodka, elderflower liqueur, dragon fruit cranberry juice and lime juice topped with Prosecco. Guests enjoyed samples, tasty accompanying cuisine and entertainment. A portion of the event proceeds benefited the Potter League for Animals.
-
- The Wicked Best Martini competition, featuring Velo Vodka, was hosted at Mulligan’s Island in Cranston on Aug. 10.
-
- Colleen and Riley Eyges, Co-owners, Velo Vodka pouring samples of their ultra-premium vodka.
-
- Lupe Aguilar, Rhody Foody and Event Organizer; Riley Eyges, Co-owner, Velo Vodka; Brent Paquin, Owner, Two Bullyz LLC and Event Organizer; and Colleen Eyges, Co-owner, Velo Vodka.
-
- Michelle Bonollo, Brand Ambassador and Winner Nichole Bonollo, Owner, Sippin’ Pretty Mobile Bar.
-
- Sippin’ Pretty Mobile Bar’s winning cocktail, the Elder-Dragon Tini, a blend of Velo Vodka, elderflower liqueur, dragon fruit cranberry juice and lime juice topped with Prosecco.
-
- Letizia DiMascio; Ryan Pickett; and Alex Collazo, The Jefferson Speakeasy with the venue’s Espresso Martini.
-
- The Jefferson Speakeasy’s Espresso Martini.
-
- Bartenders Neda Khan and Mike Ewick, Ogie’s Trailer Park.
-
- Ogie’s Trailer Park’s martini, a blend of fresh ginger-infused Velo Vodka, mango puree, lime, pineapple and honey garnished with saffron.
-
- Thirsty Beaver Hometown Pub & Grub’s Taylor Foss, Director of Operations and Fallow Davis, Marketing Director serving the venue’s Salted Caramel Cold Brew Martini.
-
- Thirsty Beaver Hometown Pub & Grub’s Salted Caramel Cold Brew Martini: Velo Vodka, Kahlúa, Baileys, cold brew and salted caramel.
-
- Bartenders Spenser Saleeba and Zoe Lopes, Tipsy Toboggan with the venue’s Pop Martini cocktail.
-
- Tipsy Toboggan’s cocktail, Pop Martini: Velo Vodka, prickly pear liqueur, strawberry syrup, lemon juice, simple syrup and triple sec with a garnish of cotton candy, Pop Rocks and a mini peppermint.
-
- Bri Duffy, Owner, BarBrie Mobile Bartending Service creating her Vanilla Chai Latte Martini.
-
- The Vanilla Chai Latte Martini from BarBrie Mobile Bartending Service: Velo Vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, coconut milk, grated nutmeg and star anise with a house-made chai honey syrup.
-
- Michael Ciresi, General Manager and Robert Ayers, Bartender, The Patio on Broadway.
-
- The Patio on Broadway’s Hot ’N’ Dilly Martini.
-
- Erin Sasnett, Manager; Ethan Laramee, Bartender/Server; and Jake Parkins, Bar Manager, Cork & Rye Gastropub.
-
- Cork & Rye Gastropub’s Amalfi Summer: Velo Vodka, blackberry, basil and lemon topped with limoncello foam.
-
- Miranda Smith, General Manager and Maegan Choiniere, Lead Bartender and Mixologist, Rooftop at the Providence G.
-
- The Did You Dirty Martini from Rooftop at the Providence G, a blend of Velo Vodka, Champagne simple syrup, vanilla, lemon and prosecco garnished with cotton candy grapes.
Photos by Laura Widness.
