Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), recently welcomed Kelly Gasink, Co-founder of Austin Cocktails, for a visit to the Connecticut market. Over several days, Gasink engaged with local restaurateurs and retailers, and was also the special guest at a happy hour and competitive cornhole tournament at Elicit Brewing Company in Fairfield on April 4. During a general sales meeting at CDI’s Stratford headquarters on April 5, Gasink shared the story of Austin Cocktails, which she founded with her sister, Jill Burns. The brand pays homage to their grandfather Fred, who initiated “cocktail time,” a tradition of gathering friends and family at 5 p.m. to enjoy connections after a day’s work in the fields. Austin Cocktails celebrates the legacy by crafting drinks that are original, full-flavored and suitable as year-round bar staples. The company uses only the finest natural ingredients sourced from around the world to create cocktails that offer lower calorie and carb options while embodying the full-bodied, crisp taste of bar-quality drinks. Austin Cocktails took nearly two years of working with numerous purveyors of natural juices, essences and extracts in its drink development, honoring Fred’s philosophy.
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- Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), hosted a visit from Kelly Gasink, Co-founder of Austin Cocktails, with a happy hour and cornhole tournament at Elicit Brewing Company in Fairfield on April 4.
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- Austin Cocktails in Bergamot Orange Sparkling Margarita, Cucumber Vodka Sparkling Mojito and Fred’s Ruby Red Sparkling Cocktail flavors.
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- Jim Casey, Chief Sales Officer, Wine and Spirits, Constellation Brands; Kelly Gasink, Co-founder, Austin Cocktails; Christen LaRochelle, FSM | ASPIRA – Fine Wine and Craft Spirits Division, New England, Constellation Brands; and John Slocum, President, CDI.
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- All of CDI’s Diamond Division: John Padgett, Sales Representative; AnnMarie Brennan, Field Sales Manager; Sandra Terenzio-Brickly, Sales Director; Tim Foular, Sales Representative; Lauren Rotolo, Sales Representative; Kiersten Sanok, Sales Representative; and Pete Apotrias, Field Sales Manager.
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- All of CDI except where indicated: Mark Ryan, Sales Director, Vanguard Division; Michael Stavola, Regional Director, Constellation Brands; Will Longo, Field Sales Manager, Constellation Brands; Vanessa Bronder Alward, Trade Development Manager, Constellation Brands; Kelly Gasink, Co-founder, Austin Cocktails; Christen LaRochelle, FSM | ASPIRA – Fine Wine and Craft Spirits Division, New England, Constellation Brands; Jon Fredyna, VP of Marketing; Amanda Doll, Sales Director, New England Division; and Byron Kidd, Field Sales Manager, Constellation Brands.
Photos courtesy of Connecticut Distributors, Inc.
