The second annual Espresso Martini Contest, orchestrated by Cocktail Wars Founder and Newport Bartender and Historian, John Begin, took place on Halloween day at Bar & Board Bistro in Newport. Area bartenders, including Alexis Ward, The Pub In Matunuck; Mitchell Swass, Breakwaters Cigar & Whiskey Lounge; John Edgell, Diego’s Newport; Jarrod Blanchette, Guisto and Sarah Fimple, Yagi Noodles, showcased their craft cocktail skills using Bully Boy Vodka from sponsor, Bully Boy Distillers of Boston, as the base spirit. The winning bartender was Jarrod Blanchette from Guisto, with his cocktail Peanut Butter Jelly Time, which featured Borghetti Espresso Liqueur, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and roasted Lambrusco grape-infused Bully Boy Vodka. The espresso martini win was the second year in a row for Guisto.
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- Bully Boy Distillers, distributed by Horizon Beverage Co. in Rhode Island, sponsored the Second Annual Espresso Martini Contest on Oct. 31.
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- Competitors Alexis Ward, The Pub; Mitchell Swass, Breakwaters Cigar & Whiskey Lounge and John Edgell, Diego’s Newport, creating signature Espresso Martinis during the Espresso Martini Contest at Bar & Board Bistro in Newport on Oct. 31.
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- Winner Jarrod Blanchette, Guisto; Andrew Greenleaf, Rhode Island Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers and John Begin, Bartender, Historian and Founder of Cocktail Wars.
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- Blanchette creating his winning cocktail, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, featuring his roasted Lambrusco grape-infused Bully Boy Vodka, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Caffè Borghetti and New Harvest espresso, garnished with organic local concord grapes and house-made peanut brittle.
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- Blanchette creating his winning cocktail.
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- Andrew Greenleaf, Rhode Island Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers, snapping a few photos of the winning cocktail.
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- Jarrod Blanchette’s winning cocktail, Peanut Butter Jelly Time.
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- Blanchette’s cocktail, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, featured Borghetti Espresso Liqueur, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and roasted Lambrusco grape-infused Bully Boy Vodka.
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- Competitor Alexis Ward, The Pub In Matunuck, who took second place and People’s Choice.
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- Ward garnishes with coffee bean.
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- Alexis Ward’s signature cocktail, Espresso Yourself, featuring Bully Boy Vodka, espresso, Caffè Borghetti, Five Farms Irish Cream and simple syrup with coffee bean garnish.
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- Competitor John Edgell, Diego’s.
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- Edgell pours.
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- John Edgell’s cocktail, the Almond Joy, featured Bully Boy Vodka, house-made chocolate cordial, coconut fat-washed espresso liqueur, house orgeat and nitro cold brew.
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- Competitor Sarah Fimple, Yagi Noodles.
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- Competitor Sarah Fimple.
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- Sake Bean, Sarah Fimple’s signature espresso martini, featuring Nigori Sake, vanilla liqueur, homemade pumpkin liqueur, Bully Boy Vodka infused with vanilla and cold brew, garnished with fresh nutmeg.
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- Competitor Mitchell Swass, Breakwaters Cigar & Whiskey Lounge, creating his signature Espresso Martini.
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- Competitor Mitchell Swass.
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- Swass’ Espresso Martini, featuring Bully Boy Vodka, espresso, Bailey’s, Rumchata, Godiva and cinnamon infused moonshine.
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- Andrew Greenleaf of Bully Boy Distillers hands out branded hats and t-shirts to competing bartenders.
Photos by Laura Widness.
