Pernod Ricard and the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, in collaboration with Connecticut Distributors, Inc., hosted one of its two state regional Absolut Espresso Martini Competitions at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Shrine on Feb. 2. Area bartenders competed in the state as part of the national competition, where they were tasked with making four espresso martinis the fastest for event judges using Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa, the iconic rum and coffee liqueur. The judging panel rated each competitor’s cocktail based on criteria including the straw test, spillage, foam, number of espresso beans and more. The winners were: first place: Lauren Wood, Max’s Oyster Bar; second place: Andrew Stutts, Manager, Elicit Brewing Co.; and third place: Tricia Martin, TJ’s Burritos. Sponsored by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, the Absolut Espresso Martini Competition is a national contest, with local events in markets across the U.S. taking place between Jan. 1 to Feb. 10. Competitors with the fastest times and fewest penalties from each local competition were named the winners. The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation was set to notify finalists by Feb. 16 to participate in the East or West Regional Championships in Boston and San Diego, respectively. The top three bartenders from the East and West Championships in the U.S. will win a trip to Stockholm to visit the home of Absolut Vodka and participate in the Absolut Akademi program.
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Pernod Ricard and the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, in collaboration with Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), kicked off the state’s Absolut Espresso Martini Competition at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Shrine on Feb. 2.
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Ten local bartenders turned out to compete in the Absolut Espresso Martini Competition, a national contest with local events in markets across the U.S. between Jan. 1 to Feb. 10.
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Competitors used Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa as their cocktails’ base spirits.
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The Competitors: Back Row: Renee Strother, The Manhattan; Bryce Wade, BAR; Mary Cashman, TJ’s Burritos; Tricia Martin, TJ’s Burritos; Andrew Stutts, Manager, Elicit Brewing Co.; Gabby Peak, Scorpion Bar; Lauren Wood, Max’s Oyster Bar; and Dana Martinez, The Kitchen in Prospect. Front Row: Brem Belciniski, Hop Haus; McKenna Trunk, 75 Center; and Shaney Mays, Shrine.
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Dana Badway, Chain Account Manager, CDI; John Petropoulos, Customer Development Manager, Pernod Ricard; Karen Wieman, CT State Manager, Pernod Ricard; and Steve Slota, Division Manager Retail Division, CDI.
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Nick Korn, Owner, Offsite and Event Emcee; Mike Knudsen, Beverage Director, Hartford Restaurant Group; and John Petropoulos, Customer Development Manager, Pernod Ricard.
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First-place winner Lauren Wood, Max’s Oyster Bar.
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Wood’s winning espresso martini.
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Second-place winner Andrew Stutts, Manager, Elicit Brewing Co.
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Third-place winner Tricia Martin, TJ’s Burritos.
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Competitor Bryce Wade, BAR.
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Competitor Shaney Mays, Shrine.
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Competitor Dana Martinez, The Kitchen in Prospect.
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Competitor Gabby Peak, Scorpion Bar.
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Competitor Brem Belciniski, Hop Haus.
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Competitor Mary Cashman, TJ’s Burritos.
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Winner Lauren Wood, Max’s Oyster Bar with guests.
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Guests were treated to Absolut Vodka merchandise and cocktails featuring Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa.
Photos 10-13 by Erik Lorch.