Belvedere Vodka and Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) joined forces during a March Madness basketball-themed cocktail competition, renaming it Martini Madness. Twelve bartenders throughout the state gathered at Scorpion Bar at Foxwoods Resort Casino, and were challenged to create their best martini using Belvedere Vodka, the newest flavor Belvedere Wild Berry and Belvedere Unfiltered. Matt Bacco from Post 154 in Westport prevailed as the winner with his martini using Belvedere Unfiltered, raw buckwheat tea, fresh ginger, local honey and lemon.
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- Belvedere martinis.
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- Albert Greenwood of Oak Haven, New Haven competing.
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- Top view of contestant cocktail creations.
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- A close up of a strawberry flower martini.
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- Tony Gugino of NIXS, Hartford competing.
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- Joe Aceto of Mezzo Grill, Middletown and Belvedere Ambassadors.
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- Top three contestants, Matt Bacco from Post 154 in Westport, Lyles Williams from Cask Republic in Stamford, and Justin Cyr from 85 Main in Putnam
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- Ashley Kent, On Premise Manager, Moet-Hennessy USA; Matt Bacco, Martini Madness Winner; Sandra Terenzio, Moet-Hennessy USA Portfolio Manager, CDI; Kyle Rinoski, Casino Account Specialist, CDI; and Paul Mazurek, National Accounts, CDI.
Photos by Joe Palisi.
