USBG Civil War Bartending Competition Finale Declares Winner

The 2018 Civil War Bartending Competition series, hosted by the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) New Haven and Hartford chapters, along with Eder Bros., Inc. and Allan S. Goodman, wrapped up with a Championship Round at New Haven’s Elm City Social on September 10. The finale saw the top ten contestants from previous rounds in the north and south mix off using Empress 1908 Original Indigo Gin. Jerome Daigneault of Filomena’s on Main won first place, including a trip to Victoria, Canada, where the Empress 1908 Gin waterfront distillery is located. Craig Ventrice, Bartender and Treasurer, USBG CT New Haven chapter, took second place and third place went to Bryce Hardy of The Olive Bar.

: Empress 1908 Original Indigo Gin is an all-natural spirit crafted from eight organic botanicals. Its distinct hue is derived from the butterfly pea blossom.

: Peter Hunt, President and Master Distiller, Victoria Distillers; Vincent Rossetti, Craft Portfolio Manager, Eder Bros.; and Jeff Conelius, Craft Spirit Specialist, Allan S. Goodman.

: The 2018 Civil War Championship Competitors: Katie Allen, Rizzuto’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant; Alexa Doyer, Little River Restoratives; Craig Ventrice, Bartender and Treasurer, USBG CT New Haven chapter; Kory Loga, Bella’Gio Ristorante; Geoff Smith, ON20; George Zahariadis, Highland Brass Co.; Bryce Hardy, The Olive Bar; Chelsea Solkowski, Cure; Jamie Oakes, Cure; and Jerome Daigneault, Filomena’s on Main.

: First-place winner Jerome Daigneault preparing his cocktail, Enhancement at the Empress. Ingredients: 1 ½ oz. Empress 1908 Gin, 1 oz. of a homemade tea blend mixed with signature Empress Tea Blend, ¼ oz. Wild Moon Rose Liqueur and ¼ Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto.

: Daigneault’s preparations for his hot tea cocktail included the use of dry ice “making the cocktail enchanting,” he said. “Using dry ice pellets and led ice cubes, I was able to give the illusion of it coming from a cloud of bluish purple ‘smoke.’” Pea blossom candied ginger, pea blossom sugar cubes and lemon accompanied its final presentation.

: Daigneault’s winning cocktail, Enchantment and the Empress.

: Second-place winner Craig Ventrice.

: Ventrice’s cocktail, the Empress’ New Clothes.

: Third-place winner Bryce Hardy of The Olive Bar.

: Hardy’s cocktail, the Empress and the Pea.

: Vincent Rossetti, Craft Portfolio Manager, Eder Bros.; Competition Judge Bob MacNevin, National Sales Manager, Empress Gin; Competition Judge; Competition Judge Rachel Markoja, Bar Manager, Division West Bistro & Bar; First-place Winner Jerome Daigneault, Filomena’s on Main; Third-place’s Winner Bryce Hardy, The Olive Bar; Second-place’s Craig Ventrice; Jeff Conelius, Craft Spirit Specialist, Allan S. Goodman; and Peter Hunt, President and Master Distiller, Victoria Distillers.