Pernod Ricard and the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, in collaboration with Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division, hosted an Absolut Espresso Martini Competition at Ladder 133 Kitchen & Social in Providence on Jan. 15. Five local bartenders competed in the state as part of the national competition, where they were tasked to make four espresso martinis the fastest for event judges using Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa, the iconic rum and coffee liqueur. Fresh espresso was provided by Cranston’s Café Ava Casa del Café. The judging panel rated each cocktail based on criteria including the straw test, spillage, foam, number of espresso beans and more. The winners were: first place: Analise Rossi, The Boombox; second place: Victoria Hamby, Oz Tacos & Tequila; and third place: Bruce Livingston, The Avenue. Sponsored by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, the Absolut Espresso Martini Competition is a national contest, with local events in markets across the U.S. taking place between Jan. 1 to Feb. 10. Competitors with the fastest times and fewest penalties from each local competition were named the winners. The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation was set to notify finalists by Feb. 16 to participate in the East or West Regional Championships in Boston and San Diego, respectively. The top three bartenders from the East and West Championships in the U.S. will win a trip to Stockholm to visit the home of Absolut Vodka and participate in the Absolut Akademi program.
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The Absolut Espresso Martini Rhode Island competition was hosted at Ladder 133 Kitchen & Social in Providence on Jan. 15.
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Bartenders used Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa as their base spirits.
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Mike Dooley, Pernod Ricard Portfolio Specialist, Mancini Beverage; Lauren Sullivan, Field Marketing Manager MA/RI/CT, Pernod Ricard and Judge; Tabitha Forte, Trade Development Representative, Pernod Ricard and Judge; Amanda Nichols, Corporate Division Sales Representative, Mancini Beverage and Judge; Analise Rossi, The Boombox; Bruce Livingston, The Avenue; Victoria Hamby, Oz Tacos & Tequila; and Hamid Akinfolarin, Owner, Akinfolarin.
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Competitors Bruce Livingston, The Avenue; Analise Rossi, The Boombox; Hamid Akinfolarin, Owner, Akinfolarin; and Victoria Hamby, Oz Tacos & Tequila.
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Mike Dooley, Pernod Ricard Portfolio Specialist, Mancini Beverage; Tabitha Forte, Trade Development Representative, Pernod Ricard and Judge; and Lauren Sullivan, Field Marketing Manager MA/RI/CT, Pernod Ricard and Judge.
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Mike Dooley, Pernod Ricard Portfolio Specialist, Mancini Beverage; Melissa Guerra, Beverage Director, Aloft Hotel Providence and Matt Baram, Bartender, Layali Providence.
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Analise Rossi, The Boombox.
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Rossi’s cocktail.
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Victoria Hamby, Oz Tacos & Tequila.
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Hamby’s cocktail.
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Bruce Livingston, The Avenue.
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Livingston’s cocktail.
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Melissa Guerra, Aloft Providence competing for Blue Violet Roof Bar.
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A pour of Guerra’s cocktail.
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Hamid Akinfolarin, Owner, Akinfolarin, a bartending consulting firm.
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Akinfolarin’s cocktail pour.
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Winners Victoria Hamby, Oz Tacos & Tequila; Bruce Livingston, The Avenue; and Analise Rossi, The Boombox.
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Winners of the national competition will win a trip to Absolut Vodka in Stockholm.
Photos by Laura Widness.