Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), hosted a cocktail competition featuring Patrón Tequila at Via Gastrobar in New Haven on March 20. Area bartenders gathered to show off their talents and create their best cocktails featuring Patrón Reposado Tequila for prizes. Competition judges Dan Rek, Beverage Director, Mecha Noodle Bar; Max Fiore, Red House; and David Cohade, Manager, Bartaco, Stamford, chose their top three favorites: in first-place Jacob Failla, Sherkaan Indian Street Food; second-place Carolyn Flaherty, Bar Manager, Elm City Social; and third-place, Sean Richard, Mecha Noodle Bar. As first-place winner, Failla received a one-night stay at Foxwoods Casino’s Fox Tower and bottle service at the casino’s club, Shrine. Flaherty and Richard took home engraved bottles of Patrón Añejo Tequila and Patrón Reposado Tequila.
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- Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), hosted a cocktail competition featuring Patrón Tequila at New Haven’s Via Gastrobar on March 20.
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- Second-place winner Carolyn Flaherty, Bar Manager, Elm City Social; David Cohade, Manager, Bartaco, Stamford; First-place winner Jacob Failla, Sherkaan Indian Street Food; Max Fiore, Red House; Sean Richard, Mecha Noodle Bar; and Dan Rek, Beverage Director, Mecha Noodle Bar.
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- Lindsey Lussier, Jessica Tuesdays; Eric Rowe, Zinc New Haven; Bryce Wade, Jack’s; David Cohade, Manager, Bartaco, Stamford; Carolyn Flaherty, Bar Manager, Elm City Social; Dan Rek, Beverage Director, Mecha Noodle Bar; Max Fiore, Red House; Liam Malmquist, Olives & Oil; Deon Ross, Tomato Joe’s, Rocky Hill; Tom Stokes, VIA New Haven; and Carlee Carvalko, Bar Manager, Via Gastrobar. Front: Jacob Failla, Sherkaan Indian Street Food, and Sean Richard, Mecha Noodle Bar.
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- First-place winner Jacob Failla, Sherkaan Indian Street Food.
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- Failla’s cocktail, Thyme to Bloom, a blend of chamomile-infused Patrón Reposado, Salers Gentian Aperitif, lemon thyme cordial, coffee blossom honey syrup and Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit bitters.
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- Second place’s Carolyn Flaherty, Bar Manager, Elm City Social.
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- Flaherty’s cocktail, Can’t Keep Maize Off You, made with black pepper corn-infused Patrón Reposado, corn milk syrup, Ancho Reyes, oregano syrup and lemon, garnished with fire stick flower.
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- Third-place winner Sean Richard, Mecha Noodle Bar and Mariposa Taqueria.
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- Richard’s cocktail, Dulces Suenos: Patrón Reposado, mole bitters, mango vanilla syrup, lime juice, Tempus Fugit Crème de Banane Liqueur, Amaro Montenegro and rich demerara syrup.
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- Competitor Liam Malmquist, Olives & Oil.
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- Malmquist’s cocktail, The Staple of Life, featured Patrón Reposado, infused honey, lemon juice, pineapple juice, Aperol, three dashes of orange bitters and egg white.
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- Competitor Bryce Wade, Jack’s.
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- Wade’s cocktail, Spicy Blanquita, a blend of Patrón Reposado, Ancho Reyes, tomato water, lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and green tabasco with muddled jalapeño.
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- Competitor Tom Stokes, Via New Haven.
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- Stoke’s cocktail, My Boy Specs, infused Patrón Reposado, lime juice, passionfruit, sage simple syrup, Yellow Chartreuse and an egg white.
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- Competitor Eric Rowe, Zinc New Haven.
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- Rowe’s cocktail.
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- Deon Ross, Tomato Joe’s.
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- Ross’ cocktail, One Steep Forward, Two Steeps Back, featured Patrón Reposado, lime juice, grapefruit juice, Earl Grey simple syrup, passionfruit liqueur, angostura bitters, egg whites and lemon oil.
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- Competitor Dan Shekman, General Manager, Oak Haven Table & Bar.
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- Shekman’s cocktail.
