Pernod Ricard and the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, in collaboration with Connecticut Distributors, Inc., hosted the second Connecticut-based Absolut Espresso Martini Competition at La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Westport on Feb. 5. Local bartenders turned out to participate in the competition to make four Absolut Espresso Martinis in the fastest amount of time for judges using Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa as their base spirits. The judging panel rated each competitor’s cocktail based on criteria including the straw test, spillage, foam, number of espresso beans and more. Kyle Bridgman, Bartender, Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, New Haven, was named the winner of the speed round, with Rohit Gawall, Bartender, Panorama Room, crowned winner of the creative round. 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.
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- Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), in collaboration with the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, hosted an Absolut Espresso Martini Competition at La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Westport on Feb. 5.
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- All from Pernod Ricard: John Petropoulos, Customer Development Manager; Inessa Schweizer, Senior Finance Manager; Karen Wieman, CT State Manager; Erica Beilenson, Senior Director, Channel and Shopper Marketing; Matt Foley, Vice President, Absolut, Malibu, Kahlúa, Gins, Tequilas, Mezcal and Italicus; Lauren Sullivan, Field Marketing Manager; and Jessica Katz, CT Market Manager.
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- Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa overlooking the Long Island Sound at La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar.
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- Glasses await competitors against the scenic backdrop.
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- Patrick Camoro, General Manager, La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar showcasing Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa.
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- Brand Ambassadors Angela Salvatore and Vanessa Demetrio.
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- Winner Kyle Bridgman, Bartender, Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, New Haven.
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- Rohit Gawall, Bartender, Panorama Room was winner of the creative round.
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- Competitor Anthony McLeon, Bartender, El Segundo.
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- Competitor Audra Wilder, Bartender, Big Jim’s Galley and Nautilus.
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- Competitor Bradley Cardoza, Bartender, Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, Fairfield.
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- Competitor Catalina Schmidt, General Manager, Gabriele’s of Westport.
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- Competitor Chris Gonzalez, Bartender, La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar.
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- Competitor Fernando Pelayo, Bartender, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill.
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- Competitor Jeff Lartey, Bartender, La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar.
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- Competitor Jonathan Penaloza, Bartender, Harvest Wine Bar.
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- Competitor Lauren Rotolo, Sales Representative, CDI.
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- Competitor Luis Ramirez, Bartender, Il Pellicano.
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- Competitor Merlinda Krasniqi, Bartender, Artisan.
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- Competitor Michael Kolesar, Bartender, L’Escale.
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- DJ Mike Schmidt provided the evening’s soundtrack.
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- Competitor Tara Tamsin, Bartender, Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, New Haven with Matt Foley, Vice President, Absolut, Malibu, Kahlúa, Gins, Tequilas, Mezcal and Italicus, Pernod Ricard.
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- A competitor’s espresso martini featuring Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa.
Photos by Andrew Dominick.
