The Reef hosted the first two of a three-series friendly cocktail competition, Cocktail Wars, created by Newport’s John Begin. Each event showcased local bartenders using Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.’s Thomas Tew Rum in a themed contest. Cocktail Wars’ first week featured the talents of Joe Watt from Scratch Kitchen & Catering; Britton Pruett from Rooftop at the Providence G and Newport Underground; Gabi Oliva of The Tavern on Broadway; and Cameron Hutchinson, Sales Representative, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. and Newport Underground. Safely held on The Reef’s patio among fire pits, heaters and palm trees, the best Tropical Drink theme winner was Watt, for his Rum Punch and Kick cocktail, with Pruitt taking the runner-up slot in second with her cocktail, A Jungle Bird. Judges were Luke Devine, General Manager, The Reef; Adrienne Nicole Rubin, Lead Bartender, The Reef; and Andrew Lichaa, The Superyacht Chef. Week two’s competitors were David Bates of Hotel Manisses, who took the win with his Milk & Roses cocktail; Anthony Guaetta from Giusto and Twin River Casino Hotel, who was named runner-up for his cocktail, Agroananas; Kyle Dowding from Salvation Café; and Mitchell Swass of The Deck Restaurant & Bar. Second-week judges were Cameron Hutchinson, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co.; Chef Alex Sigman from Cru Nantucket; and Newport Food Critic Haley McMahon. The third and final chapter of Cocktail Wars, the Bartender’s Choice Challenge, will feature Joe Watt, Britton Pruett, David Bates and Anthony Guaetta. A new date will be announced due to COVID-19 restrictions amid rising cases, moving from its former November date scheduled finale. Hand sanitizer was provided by Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co.
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- Sponsor Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.’s Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum, alongside its Rhode Trip New England IPA, Gooseberry Gose and Storm Blueberry Kolsch Style Ale. Thomas Tew Reserve Rum received a 2020 Gold Medal from USA Spirits Ratings. The company’s Sea Fog American Single Malt Whiskey, White Squall Coastal Moonshine, Newport Craft Gin and Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum received Silver Medals.
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- Andrew Lichaa, The Superyacht Chef and Event Judge; John Begin, Creator of Cocktail Wars Newport; Adrienne Nicole Rubin, Lead Bartender, The Reef and Event Judge; and Luke Devine, General Manager, The Reef and Event Judge.
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- Week-one competitors: Joe Watt, Scratch Kitchen & Catering; Cameron Hutchinson, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. and Newport Underground; John Begin, Creator of Cocktail Wars Newport; Britton Pruett, Rooftop at the Providence G and Newport Underground; and Gabi Oliva, The Tavern on Broadway.
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- Joe Watt, Scratch Kitchen & Catering, Week-One Winner of Cocktail Wars with his Rum Punch and Kick cocktail.
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- Watt’s Cocktail Wars week-one winning cocktail, Rum Punch and Kick, featuring Thomas Tew Rum and a fresh juice blend of kiwi, orange and lemon.
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- Britton Pruett, Rooftop at the Providence G and Newport Underground took second place in week one of Cocktail Wars with her cocktail, A Jungle Bird.
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- Competitor Gabi Oliva, The Tavern on Broadway making her cocktail, Coqui-TEW.
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- Cameron Hutchinson, Sales Representative, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. and Newport Underground mixing his cocktail, New Kidd on the Block, named as “a nod to the pirate theme of Thomas Tew Rum,” and after pirate Captain Kidd, who, according to local lore, buried treasure on Block Island.
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- Oliva’s cocktail, Coqui-TEW, a twist on the Puerto Rican spiced eggnog drink, coquito, featured Thomas Tew Rum.
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- Pruett’s cocktail, A Jungle Bird, featuring Thomas Tew Rum, Campari with pineapple simple syrup, lime juice, bitters and Luxardo cherries.
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- Hutchinson pouring his cocktail, New Kidd on the Block, a blend of Thomas Tew Rum, homemade plum simple syrup and coconut milk with sliced pineapple at the bottom and as a garnish a lime and a homemade simple syrup made with chili peppers and cayenne pepper.
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- Week-two competitors: Anthony Guaetta, Giusto and Twin River Casino Hotel; David Bates, Hotel Manisses; Kyle Dowding, Salvation Café; and Mitchell Swass, The Deck Restaurant & Bar.
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- Judges Haley McMahon, Newport Food Critic; Cameron Hutchinson, Sales Representative, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. and Newport Underground; and Chef Alex Sigman, Cru Nantucket.
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- Cocktail Wars Week-Two Winner David Bates of Hotel Manisses.
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- Bates’ cocktail, Milk & Roses, a blend of Thomas Tew Rum, coconut rum, Kahlúa and coconut milk, flavored with rosemary demerara simple syrup, allspice clove, and nutmeg bitters and garnished with charred rosemary and ground nutmeg.
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- Week-Two Runner-Up Anthony Guaetta, Giusto and Twin River Casino Hotel.
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- Runner-Up Anthony Guaetta’s cocktail, called Agroananas, a slow-roasted pineapple agrodolce made with hot water, cardamom and thyme featuring Thomas Tew Rum.
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- Kyle Dowding, Salvation Café.
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- The Tew Legit cocktail by Dowding, a twist on a hot buttered rum cocktail, a blend of homemade Irish cream and a secret rum batter, topped with Mexican chocolate.
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- Competitor Mitchell Swass of The Deck Restaurant & Bar.
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- Swass putting the finishing touches on his cocktail, An Early Christmas, made with Thomas Tew Rum with a caramelized white chocolate ganache, coffee and foamed milk.
Photos by Laura Widness.
