The Grace Vanderbilt in Newport celebrated Women’s History Month in March by featuring cocktails inspired by notable women, which also highlighted spirits that are distilled, founded, and/or owned by women. The recognition culminated with a special event called, “Let’s Have a Toast to Her! Celebrating Women’s History” on March 29, which included a whiskey tasting and education session, canapes and cocktails. Select women in the beverage industry were highlighted in the presentation and on the cocktail menu: Dr. Nicola Nice, Founder & CEO, Pomp & Whimsey Gin Liqueur; Stephanie Macloud, Master Blender, Dewar’s; Lorna Scott, Owner and Distiller, Inverroche Amber Gin; Marie Brizard Liqueurs’ Marie Brizard, who began her liqueur business in 1755; Caley Shoemaker, Head Distiller, Hangar 1 Vodka; Jassil Villanueva, Maestra Ronera, Brugal Rum; Maria Theresa Lara, Master Distiller, Tequila Herradura, among other notable women across history. A raffle raised money for the Women’s Resource Center, serving Newport and Bristol Counties, founded in 1977 to provide comprehensive domestic violence intervention and prevention services that educate, advocate and shelter any individual in need of assistance.
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- Grace Vanderbilt’s “Let’s Have a Toast to Her! Celebrating Women’s History” event featured a special cocktail menu honoring renowned women in the beverage industry, arts, music and local history as part of its offering in the month of March.
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- Two welcome cocktails featured Prosecco including the Take Flight to honor Pilot Amelia Earhart and a second, The Mistress.
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- Grace Vanderbilt’s Alex Pendergrass, Food & Beverage Manager; Ariadni Lelou, Grace Intern; Simion Rusu, Dining Room Supervisor; Christina Mercado, Beverage Manager; Tony Dente, Server; and Elsa Balles, Server.
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- Tasting whiskeys, which were not limited to the theme of celebration of women-run brands, focused on a variety of mash bills “in order to provide the greatest contrasts in taste, and educational points,” said Mercado.
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- Christina Mercado, Beverage Manager, Grace Vanderbilt, led the whiskey tasting line up.
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- The tasting progressed through Maker’s Mark Bourbon, to Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, to Bulleit Bourbon to Michter’s Rye and lastly to Bulleit Rye.
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- The Lime Rock featuring Appleton Joy Reserve Blend Rum, ginger liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup and soda water honored Lighthouse Keeper Ida Lewis.
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- Mercado mixing a tribute to Artist Frida Khalo featuring Herradura Tequila, Lychee Liqueur, coconut and lychee lime.
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- A cocktail called Paint to honor Frida Khalo.
Photos by Laura Widness.
