The Taste of Rhode Island, Rhody Foody & Friends and the Restaurant App collaborated to host a Wicked Best Margarita competition at the Historic Park Theatre in Cranston on Feb. 18. Local bartenders created their best margaritas using Hotel California Tequila as the base spirit. The Connecticut-owned tequila brand offers the award-winning flavors of Mexican-grown 100% Blue Weber agave tequila in Blanco, Añejo and Reposado, each at 40% ABV. Judges included Ryan Draine, Bar/Cocktail Consultant; Bekah Berger, On-Air Personality, Hot 106.3 WWKX-FM; Dan Meza, Owner, California Taco Shop; Maddie Levine, On-Air Personality, FUN 107; and David Dadekian, Founder, Eat Drink RI. Competitors showcased their skills and their representative venues, mixing up original craft margarita tastes for judges and guests. Casa Azul Taquería was the Judges’ Choice winner with its Spicy Tamarind Margarita made with Hotel California Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, tamarind puree, lime juice and spicy Tajin chili pepper. Guests enjoyed samples, tasty accompanying cuisine and entertainment.
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- Brent Paquin, Northeast Brand Ambassador, Hotel California Tequila; Lupe Aguilar, President, Rhody Foody; Ryan Draine, Beverage Director, Dig In Dining & Entertainment; Lindsay Ladeluca, Rhody Foody; Margarita DiBiase, Rhody Foody; and David Dadekian, Founder, Eat Drink RI.
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- Keith Morris, On-Premise General Manager, Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division and Brent Paquin, Northeast Brand Ambassador, Hotel California Tequila.
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- Wicked Best Margarita Judges’ Choice: Winner Alejandra Soto, Owner, Casa Azul Taqueria with Diane Ceron, Performer.
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- Wicked Best Margarita Judges’ Choice: The Spicy Tamarind Margarita by Casa Azul Taquería, made with Hotel California Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, tamarind puree, lime juice and spicy Tajin chili pepper.
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- All of The Local: John Oliver, Owner; Demi Howe, Co-owner; and Kayla Oliveira, Bartender.
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- A Spicy Watermelon Margarita by the team at The Local: Hotel California Tequila, Cointreau, watermelon puree, lime juice and muddled jalapeños.
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- Ryan Wilk, Resident Mixologist, Bodega on Smith.
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- Bodega on Smith was awarded Best Presentation.
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- Johe Posada, Restaurateur, Tequila Sommelier and Owner/Bartender, La Posada.
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- La Posada’s cocktail, Estrellas de Cali Starfruit Raspberry Margarita, with lavender foam.
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- Becky Morettini, Tiki Bartender, Ogie’s Trailer Park.
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- The El Gato cocktail by Ogie’s Trailer Park: Hotel California Blanco Tequila, hibiscus syrup, lime, orange juice and mezcal with a hibiscus salt rim.
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- Luke Moniz, Head Bartender and Alexia Mosca, Bar Manager, Layali.
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- Layali Signature Blueberry Sage Margarita: Hotel California Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice and blueberry/sage simple syrup.
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- Kohl Lockwood, Bartender, Plant City.
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- Plant City’s Roasted Pineapple and Chipotle Margarita.
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- The People’s Choice winners Chelsey Rhinehart, Manager/Bartender and Vito Lantz, Owner, Lucky Enough PVD.
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- A Green Tea Peach Margarita by Lucky Enough PVD: Hotel California Blanco Tequila, green tea syrup and peach and lime juice with a pink Himalayan salt, pepper and sugar rim.
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- Eric Hecht, Bar Manager, Cask ’n Flagon.
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- Cask ’n Flagon’s cocktail, 13th Floor: a margarita topped with red wine.
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- Bartenders Mike Tillinghast and Jadali Burgess, Barnaby’s Public House.
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- Barnaby’s Wicked PVD Margarita: Hotel California Blanco Tequila, coconut puree, coconut water, strawberry puree and jalapeño simple syrup, garnished with fresh lime and jalapeños.
Photos by Laura Widness.
