Hartley & Parker Limited, Inc., in collaboration with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the consistently top-selling vodka brand with a party and fundraiser at the Warehouse at the Fairfield Theatre Company on May 25. Celebrants enjoyed tacos, a photo booth and live music by the Drew Angus Band, along with cocktails created by eight local mixology teams. Guests voted on their favorite original cocktails and the winning teams selected charities of their choice to benefit from the evening. The first-prize winner was Eric Zesis, Sign of the Whale, Stamford, whose charitable gift benefited the Stamford Firefighters Burn Foundation. The second-place winning team was Ellen and Garrett Grant of Carbone’s Prime in Rocky Hill, who donated their $2,000 winnings to Bristol Hospital’s Beekley Center for Breast Health & Wellness. Founded in 1995 with sales beginning in 1997, Bert “Tito” Beveridge obtained the first legal permit to distill in Texas and created Tito’s Handmade Vodka, made in Austin. The corn-based vodka is batch distilled using old-fashioned pot stills and is naturally gluten-free. Appropriately 150 guests joined the evening’s festivities.
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- Hartley & Parker Limited, Inc., celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Tito’s Handmade Vodka brand with a party and fundraising event at the Warehouse at the Fairfield Theatre Company on May 25.
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- The Tito’s Team: Mike Landau; Rachel Landeau, Sales Coordinator CT/RI; Bryan Madieros, Tito’s Brand Development Manager, Mancini Beverage RI; Milissa Malloy; Matthew Malloy, CT Area On-Premise Manager; Frank Polley, Vice President, Trade Sales; Maureen Polley; and Frank LaTorra, RI and CT State Manager.
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- Sculpted ice was among the decorative touches during the Tito’s Handmade Vodka 25th anniversary party, fundraiser and cocktail competition.
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- Hartley & Parker’s Matthew Green, Sales Director; Paul Angelico, General Manager; Jerry Rosenberg, President; and David Rosenberg, Vice President.
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- All with Tito’s Handmade Vodka: Frank LaTorra, RI and CT State Manager; Rachel Landeau, Sales Coordinator CT/RI; Pete Angus, Vice President, Sales; Frank Polley, Vice President, Trade Sales; and Matthew Malloy, CT Area On-Premise Manager.
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- Winner, Eric Zesis, Sign of the Whale, Stamford.
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- Zesis’ Hazelnut Espresso Martini, a blend of Tito’s Vodka, infused with vanilla bean, Caffè Borghetti Espresso Liqueur and hazelnut non-dairy creamer. Tito’s donated $2,000 to Zesis’ chosen cause, the Stamford Firefighters Burn Foundation.
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- Second-place winners Ellen Mahoney and Garrett Grant, Carbone’s Prime, Rocky Hill.
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- Mahoney and Grant’s winning cocktail, Carbone’s Cold Brew, a blend of Tito’s Vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Starbucks Cold Brew Espresso and vanilla-flavored cream. Tito’s donated $2,000 to Bristol Hospital’s Beekley Center for Breast Health & Wellness.
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- Suzie Johnson and Deanna Ruby, Taino Prime.
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- The Chasing Butterflies cocktail by Suzie Johnson and Deanna Ruby, Taino Prime, benefited Paws Rescue League.
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- Chris Montana, Prime Mix, Woodbury.
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- Gillian Anderson and Jamie Johel, Artisan Restaurant, Tavern & Garden, Southport.
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- Jason Chamberlin, Boca Oyster Bar.
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- The Boca Backflip, a blend of Tito’s Vodka, Chambord, real ginger puree, fresh lemon juice and club soda. Created by John Taxiltaridis and Jason Chamberlin, Tito’s donated $1,000 to the McGivney Community Center.
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- Tommy Faller, Dockside Brewery.
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- Faller’s cocktail, The Last Straw, featured Tito’s Vodka infused with strawberries, pineapple juice, mint syrup, fresh lime juice and a house-made strawberry cordial. The cocktail benefited Bridges Healthcare.
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- Ryan Pisacane and Mary Ellen McDaniels, Stonebridge Restaurant.
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- The Big Dog’s Smokey Jalapeño Limeade, a mixture of Tito’s Vodka, smoked jalapeño simple syrup, fresh lime juice and fresh lemon juice. Created by Ryan Pisacane and Dan McDonald of Stonebridge Restaurant, Tito’s donated $1,000 to their chosen charity, the Milford Food 2 Kids organization.
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- Jerry Rosenberg, President, Hartley & Parker Limited, Inc., with Vanessa Rosenberg and David Rosenberg, Vice President, Hartley & Parker Limited, Inc., with Julie Rosenberg.
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- Cocktail competition winner, Eric Zesis, Sign of the Whale, Stamford, with Tito’s Matthew Malloy and a donation to the Stamford Firefighters Burn Foundation.
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- Second-place winners Ellen Mahoney and Garrett Grant of Carbone’s Prime, Rocky Hill, with their charitable donation to Bristol Hospital’s Beekley Center for Breast Health & Wellness, with Tito’s Matthew Malloy (center).
