Tito’s Handmade Vodka was showcased at Bridgeport’s Boca Oyster Bar on Aug. 26, in collaboration with its state distributor, the Martignetti Companies. Held outdoors on the venue’s patio overlooking the scenic Steelpointe Harbor, the event brought together the skills of 11 local bartenders who created cocktails using Tito’s Handmade Vodka as their base spirit for guests and a panel of judges, who evaluated each entry on creativity, presentation, taste and balance. After three rounds, finalists were narrowed down and three winners were named: third place: Tom Stokes, Nautilus; second place: Sebrina Hanley, Molto; and first place: Shane McGowan, Wildcat. Each bartender chose a charity to support and all proceeds from ticket sales were donated to fundraising efforts, with Tito’s Handmade Vodka pledging its own monetary donations to local charities.
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- Martignetti Companies hosted a cocktail competition featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka at Bridgeport’s Boca Oyster Bar on Aug. 26.
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- All with Martignetti Companies: Jeff Cryder, Sales Representative; Michael Doran, Sales Representative; Michael Blanchard, VP Sales and Marketing; Jason Kelley, District Manager; Stephen Delmonico, Sales Representative; and Justin Epstein, Sales Representative.
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- All with Martignetti Companies except where indicated: Craig Randi, Key Account Manager; Mike Testani, Guest Bartender; Jake Bishop, Portfolio Manager; Olivia Panetti, Business Development Manager; Jason Kelley, District Manager; Matt Malloy, Area Manager, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Rachel Landau, Sales Coordinator, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Jason Chamberlain, Bar Manager, Boca Oyster Bar; and Giovanna Gok, Director of Operations and Events, Boca Oyster Bar.
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- First-place winner Shane McGowan, Wildcat.
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- McGowan’s cocktail, Alpine Arrows: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Alpine liqueur, jalapeño, lime, cucumber and egg whites.
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- Second-place winner Sebrina Hanley, Molto.
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- Sebrina’s cocktail, The Sounds of Sirens: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, jasmine and thyme simple syrup, muddled cucumber and raspberries, lemon juice and aquafaba.
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- Third-place winner Tom Stokes, Nautilus.
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- Stokes’ cocktail, This One’s for You Delu: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, pineapple simple syrup, lemon juice, velvet falernum and Polynesian bitters.
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- Competitor Jeff Lartey, La Plage.
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- Lartey’s Guliel cocktail: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Galliano, blood orange, lime juice, simple syrup and rose water.
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- Competitor Angel Pena, Tequila Escape.
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- Pena’s Prosciutto e Melone cocktail: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, sous vide carpano antica prosciutto, homemade melon tincture, Amaro Montenegro, white balsamic vinegar and orange Angostura bitters.
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- Julio Enriquez, Hinoki.
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- Enriquez’s cocktail, Yellow Sea: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, seaweed cucumber vodka, agave acidified yuzu juice and club soda.
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- Competitor Tim, Z Hospitality Group.
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- Tim’s cocktail, Roman’s Revenge: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, rose Prosecco cordial, Italicus, lime, carbonated water and Fee Brothers Fee Foam.
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- Competitor Rebecca Legoute, 29 Markle Ct.
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- Legoute’s cocktail, Your Second Love: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, blackberry tarragon shrub, citrus stock, Rapa Giovanni Ratafia Cherry Liqueur and Fee Brothers Fee Foam.
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- Anthony, Boca Oyster Bar.
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- Lucas, Zucca Gastrobar.
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- Lucas’ cocktail, Cara Mia: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Aperol, lavender simple syrup, lime juice, muddled blackberry and mint topped with club soda with a lavender sugar rim.
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- Ozzy Casco, RoadRunner Kitchen + Bar and Polly Febles.
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- Casco’s cocktail, Zen Oasis: Tito’s Handmade Vodka infused with green tea, sage simple syrup, Italicus, grapefruit and lemon caviar, and club soda.
