Winner Named in Annual Best Hot Drink Contest

The annual Hot Drinks Contest took place during the 2025 Newport Winter Festival’s week of festivities at The Red Parrot Restaurant on Feb. 20. Sponsored by Newport Craft Brewing + Distilling Co., the event showcased Sea Flame Spiced Whiskey, Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum and White Squall Mocha Espresso Flavored Vodka. Seven local bartenders competed for the Festival Plaque, creating their best hot cocktails using the featured spirits for the judging panel: Deb Bailey and Adrianna Dizon from Newport This Week; Nicholas Mello, Berkshire Bank; and Kathryn Farrington, Discover Newport. Each entry was judged on its presentation, taste and appeal, with the winning beverage deemed the Best Hot Drink in Newport. Guests gathered to cheer on competitors and sample each cocktail, with competitors from Gas Lamp Grille, Brick Pizza Co., Diego’s, Wally’s Wieners, The Reef and Newport Craft. The first-place winner was Tiffany Blank, Gas Lamp Grille, with her cocktail, Dirty Chai Apple Pie.

: The annual Hot Drinks Contest took place during the 2025 Newport Winter Festival’s week of festivities at The Red Parrot Restaurant on Feb. 20.

: Competition judges Deb Bailey and Adrianna Dizon, Newport This Week.

: Britanny Rosenberg Costa, Assistant Coordinator, Newport Winter Festival and Nancy Rosenberg.

: First-place winner Tiffany Blank, Gas Lamp Grille with her cocktail, Dirty Chai Apple Pie.

: The Dirty Chai Apple Pie: Absolut Vodka infused with apples, cinnamon and vanilla bean, Mother’s Apple Pie Liqueur, White Squall Mocha Espresso Flavored Vodka, chai with extra cinnamon sugar and clove, topped with house-made vanilla whipped cream garnished with a dehydrated apple slice and cinnamon and sugar.