Bartender Lauren Wood from Max’s Oyster Bar won a trip to Sweden from this past spring’s U.S. Absolut and Kahlúa Espresso Martini Competition.

Lauren Wood, the winner of the Foxwoods Absolut/Kahlúa Espresso Martini Competition, went on to the final East Coast competition and won a trip to Sweden. The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation whipped up a caffeinated competition this year with their Good, Clean Fun Espresso Martini events sponsored by Absolut and Kahlúa. Across 26 U.S. locations, bartenders battled it out for speed and precision. Local winners then vied for a coveted spot in the East and West Coast championships. The competitions were a test of both skill and composure. Bartenders raced to create a round of Espresso Martinis with a twist: Every spill or stain on a pristine white surface resulted in penalties. Only the top eight from each coast advanced to the final showdown, where the stakes were even higher: a dream trip to Sweden for the top three. On April 22, Boston’s West End Johnnies hosted the Eastern Finals, with Lauren Wood, hailing from Max’s Oyster Bar in West Hartford, emerging victorious and securing a trip to Sweden. This September, she will embark on a four-day odyssey to Stockholm and the Absolut Distillery in Åhus with the other U.S. regional winners.