Cocktail Wars Newport and sponsor Connecticut’s Litchfield Distillery hosted an Espresso Martini cocktail competition at Newport’s At The Deck on Sept. 24. Spearheaded by Cocktail Wars Newport Founder and Bartender John Begin, the event featured eight bartenders creating their version of an espresso martini featuring Connecticut-grown and -made Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Vodka for a panel of judges, which included Phil Kitchen, On Premise Sales Consultant, Johnson Brothers; Andrea Borden, On Premise Sales Representative, Johnson Brothers; and Douglas Maloney, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery. Set against ocean views, competitors were cheered on as they worked to create their cocktails for the judges to evaluate and for guests to sample. The winner was Zach O’Brien from Max Fish in Glastonbury, Connecticut, with Dylan Jefferis, Hartford Flavor Company, named runner-up. The Litchfield Distillery spirits line is distributed in Rhode Island by Johnson Brothers.
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- Cocktail Wars Newport and sponsor Connecticut’s Litchfield Distillery hosted an Espresso Martini cocktail competition at Newport’s At The Deck on Sept. 24.
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- Litchfield Distillery Espresso Martini Small-Batch Cocktail, Batchers’ Vodka, Bourbon Whiskey, Rye Whiskey and Old Fashioned Small-Batch Cocktail.
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- Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Vodka.
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- John Begin, Founder, Cocktail Wars Newport and Jimmy Oca, Wally’s Wieners.
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- Winner Zach O’Brien, Max Fish and Runner-Up Dylan Jefferis, Hartford Flavor Company.
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- Jefferis’ espresso martini.
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- Competitors Gabi Oliva, Caleb & Broad and Harmony Picard, Wally’s Weiners.
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- Competitor Harmony Picard, Wally’s Weiners.
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- Picard’s cocktail was the People’s Choice winner.
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- Competitor Gabi Oliva, Caleb & Broad.
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- Competitor Reggie Nalle, Bar Manager, At The Deck.
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- Nalle’s espresso martini.
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- Competitor Tait Applegate, Bar and Board Bistro.
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- Applegate’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Tyson Pianka, Wharf Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar.
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- The judging panel: Phil Kitchen, On Premise Sales Consultant, Johnson Brothers; Andrea Borden, On Premise Sales Representative, Johnson Brothers; and Douglas Maloney, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery.
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- John Begin, Founder, Cocktail Wars Newport; Jimmy Oca, Wally’s Weiners; and Winner Zach O’Brien, Max Fish.
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- Competitors’ espresso martinis.
Photos by Carolyn Bitcliffe.
