Cocktail Wars Newport Hosts Final February Round

Cocktail Wars Newport, a recurring, friendly cocktail competition, continued to bring brands and people together with an event at Stoneacre Garden on Feb. 27. Spearheaded by Cocktail Wars Newport Founder and Bartender John Begin, the group was joined by special guest judge Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru, who also presented competitors with the 75th Anniversary edition of “Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide Book,” of which he was an editor. The competition was sponsored by Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, with additional spirits, Maker’s Mark 6ourbon 7ime and Sipsmith London Dry Gin. Local bartenders Anthony Guaetta, Twin River; Charlie Bullis, Bar and Board Bistro; Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto; Jonathan Edgell; and Ariel Brodsky, Hotel Vanderbilt, faced off on the venue’s new patio bar to create their best cocktails using showcased spirits brands. The winner was Ariel Brodsky, Hotel Vanderbilt, with her tiki-inspired creation, 25 & Sunny, a blend of Maker’s Mark, pineapple juice, lemon juice, St. Elizabeth All Spice Dram, Giffard Pêche de Vigne and driftwood bitters, garnished with two pineapple fronds, a mint bouquet, umbrella and hollowed out lemon boat with an absinthe-soaked sugar cube. To serve, the cube was ignited with cinnamon dashed over the top. The Runner Up was Charlie Bullis, Bar and Board Bistro, with his creation, Mad Hatter, a milk punch made from Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Chai tea, Galliano L’Autentico Liqueur, reduced Guinness syrup and citric acid solution.

: Cocktail Wars Newport was hosted at the new Stoneacre Gardens patio bar.

: Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was the featured spirit in Cocktail Wars on Feb. 27.

: John Begin, Bartender and Founder, Cocktail Wars, and Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru.

: Anthony Guaetta, Twin River; Runner Up Charlie Bullis, Bar and Board; Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto; Bartender Jonathan Edgell; Winner Ariel Brodsky, Hotel Vanderbilt; and John Begin, Bartender and Founder, Cocktail Wars.

: Winner Ariel Brodsky, Hotel Vanderbilt.

: Brodsky’s winning cocktail, 25 & Sunny, a blend of Maker’s Mark, pineapple juice, lemon juice, St. Elizabeth All Spice Dram, Giffard Pêche de Vigne and driftwood bitters, garnished with two pineapple fronds, a mint bouquet, umbrella and hollowed out lemon boat, with an absinthe-soaked sugar cube. To serve, the cube was ignited with cinnamon dashed over the top.

: Runner-up Charlie Bullis, Bar & Board Bistro.

: Bullis’ cocktail, Mad Hatter, a milk punch made from Maker’s Mark, Chai tea, Galliano L’Autentico Liqueur, reduced Guinness syrup and citric acid solution. First curdled over warm milk, then heated to 150 degrees, the cocktail was topped with a whipped cream prepared with toasted coriander syrup, cinnamon syrup, heavy cream and Angostura aromatic bitters, finished with a dusting of dried masala chai tea leaves, and served with a ladyfinger.

: Competitor Anthony Guaetta, Twin River.

: Guaetta’s cocktail, This was Health Food in the 70s??, showcased a blend of walnut fat-washed Maker’s Mark, dried citrus-infused Madeira, Myer lemon cordial and lactic acid-adjusted clementine juice, topped with carrot, air-infused turmeric, lemongrass and peppercorn.

: Competitor Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto.

: Blanchette’s cocktail, Bakushū, a blend of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, peach cordial, toasted coconut, Japanese black simple syrup, lemon juice, yuzu bitters and a spritz of allspice dram.