Cocktail Wars Newport and sponsor Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. hosted an espresso martini cocktail competition at Newport’s Mother Pizzeria on Oct. 6. Spearheaded by Cocktail Wars Newport Founder and Bartender John Begin, the event featured five bartenders creating their version of an espresso martini featuring Sons of Liberty Vodka for a panel of judges, which included Begin; Cam Hutchinson, Sales Manager, Narragansett Brewery; Adrienne Nicole, Owner, Liquid Chef Newport; and R. Carol Sosalla. The competitors were cheered on as they worked to create their cocktails for the judges to evaluate and for guests to sample. The winner was Stephanie Snyder, Marriott’s Skiff Bar, with her Salted Caramel Triple Chocolate Espresso Martini and the runner-up was Tait Applegate, Bartender, Scales & Shells, with his Dark Chocolate Cherry Espresso Martini. The Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. line is distributed in Rhode Island by Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division.
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- Cocktail Wars Newport and sponsor Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. hosted an espresso martini cocktail competition at Newport’s Mother Pizzeria on Oct. 6.
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- Competition judges John Begin, Founder, Cocktail Wars Newport; Cam Hutchinson, Sales Manager, Narragansett Brewery; Adrienne Nicole, Owner, Liquid Chef Newport; and R. Carol Sosalla.
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- John Begin, Founder, Cocktail Wars Newport introducing the competitors.
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- Winner Stephanie Snyder, Marriott’s Skiff Bar making her winning cocktail, a Salted Caramel Triple Chocolate Espresso Martini.
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- Snyder’s Salted Caramel Triple Chocolate Espresso Martini featured a handmade flower detail and classic espresso bean garnish.
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- Snyder’s Salted Caramel Triple Chocolate Espresso Martini, featuring Sons of Liberty Salted Caramel Flavored Vodka, Crème de Cacao Dark Liqueur, Baileys Chocolate Liqueur, white chocolate liqueur, caramel sauce and freshly made espresso topped with a handmade chocolate flower and three espresso beans.
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- Runner-up Tait Applegate, Bartender, Scales & Shells making his Dark Chocolate Cherry Espresso Martini.
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- Applegate making his Dark Chocolate Cherry Espresso Martini, a blend of Sons of Liberty Vodka, dark chocolate-infused Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, organic Colombian espresso, cherry and vanilla bean-infused simple syrup and Celtic salt topped with house-made cherry whipped cream.
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- Applegate’s Dark Chocolate Cherry Espresso Martini.
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- Natalia Miro, Bartender, Beech Restaurant and Bar and runner-up Tait Applegate, Bartender, Scales & Shells.
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- Natalia Miro, Bartender, Beech Restaurant and Bar.
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- Miro’s Tiramisu Espresso Martini.
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- Jessica Rosa, Bartender, Mother Pizzeria.
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- Rosa’s Italian Espresso Martini.
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- Tiffany Blank, Bartender, Diego’s Newport making her Toasted Coconut Espresso Martini garnished with toasted coconut marshmallows.
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- Tiffany Blank, Bartender, Diego’s Newport.
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- Blank’s Toasted Coconut Espresso Martini, garnished with toasted coconut marshmallows.
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- All of Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa: Marc McKenna, Assistant General Manager; Winner Stephanie Snyder, Marriott’s Skiff Bar; and Davon Saunders, Senior Food and Beverage Operations Manager.
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- Sons of Liberty Salted Caramel Flavored Vodka and Vodka.
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- Featured spirit Sons of Liberty Vodka with espresso martini samples in the background.
Photos by Laura Widness.
