Cocktail Wars Newport and Bully Boy Distillers hosted its continued series serving up the best Espresso Martini, in a recurring bartending competition featuring Bully Boy Vodka at Bar and Board on Feb. 20. Organized by Bartender John Begin as part of the Newport Live Events Rogue Island Winter and Cocktail Wars Newport, the event showcased the talents of five local bartenders: Isaiah Kelly, Diego’s Newport; Mitchell Swass, Breakwaters; Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto; Stephanie Prescott, Bar and Board; and Charlie Bullis, Bar and Board, who turned out to create their best variations on the classic coffee cocktail. The winner was Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto, with his creation, Sicilian Breakfast of Champions. The Runner Up was Stephanie Prescott, Bar and Board, with her Young Woman’s Espresso cocktail, a twist on the old man’s coffee. Bully Boy Vodka is part of the spirits lineup at the Boston-based Bully Boy Distillery, distributed by Horizon Beverage Co. of Rhode Island.
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- Event organizers Andrew Greenleaf, RI & CT State Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers, and John Begin, Bartender, Historian and Founder of Cocktail Wars Newport.
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- Isaiah Kelly, Diego’s Newport; Mitchell Swass, Breakwaters; Andrew Greenleaf, Bully Boy; Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto; John Begin, Founder, Cocktail Wars; Stephanie Prescott, Bar and Board; and Charlie Bullis, Bar and Board.
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- Winning Bartender Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto.
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- Blanchette’s cocktail, Sicilian Breakfast of Champions: Bully Boy Vodka infused with blueberry, Kahlua, Giffard’s Banane du Bresil Liqueur, Averna, New Harvest espresso and blueberry cordial, paired with Focaccia bread from Giusto Chef Brian O’Donnell.
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- Runner-up Stephanie Prescott, Bar and Board.
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- Prescott’s Young Woman’s Espresso featured a dash of saline, two dashes of orange bitters, .25 oz. Kahlua, .25 oz. Campari, .5 oz. Chinese Five Spice simple syrup, hot espresso and Bully Boy Vodka, garnished with a star anise dipped in Campari chocolate.
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- Competitor Mitchell Swass, Breakwaters.
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- Swass’ cocktail, The Godfather’s Martini.
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- Competitor Charlie Bullis, Bar and Board.
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- Bullis’ Matcha Martini.
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- Competitor Isaiah Kelly, Diego’s Newport.
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- Kelly’s cocktail, Nitrocartini.
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- Bully Boy Vodka was the featured spirit in the competition.
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- Competitors cocktails (clockwise): Kelly’s Nitrocartini, Swass’ The Godfather’s Martini, Blanchette’s Sicilian Breakfast of Champions, Bullis’ Matcha Martini and Prescott’s Young Woman’s Espresso.
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- Winner Jarrod Blanchette, Giusto and Runner Up Stephanie Prescott, Bar and Board.
Photos by Laura Widness.
