Downtown New Haven venues participated in a weeklong showcase of spirits brands and cocktails for the annual New Haven Cocktail Week, Aug. 27-Sept. 2. Founded in 2018 and organized by New Haven bar owners and industry professionals, including Ordinary’s and Gioia’s Tim Cabral and Ben Zemke, The Owl Shop’s Glen Greenberg and Elm City Social’s and Olives and Oil’s John Brennan, the goal to “showcase area bars and restaurants” through education and walk-arounds was met with sold-out seminars and a variety of spirits-centric events for the trade and public alike. The festivities kicked off with a Spirits Ball at the soon-to-be-opened Gioia on Wooster Street on Aug. 27. With more than 34 bars offering specialty cocktail menus and over 30 spirits brands highlighted, participants had the chance to learn about spirits brands, try new tastes and explore New Haven’s cocktail scene culminating in a Friday Happy Hour in the Plaza celebration in Temple Plaza on Sept. 1. Proceeds were donated to All Our Kin, a New Haven-based organization that trains, supports and sustains community child care providers.
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- New Haven Cocktail Week festivities kicked off with a Spirits Ball at Gioia on Aug. 27, where guests enjoyed special event cocktails, food and live music.
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- A colorful array of creations at the annual Spirits Ball showcase hosted at Gioia. Downtown New Haven venues participated in a weeklong showcase of spirits brands and cocktails.
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- A variety of commemorative New Haven Cocktail Week merchandise.
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- New Haven Cocktail Week Co-founders Ben Zemke, Ordinary and Gioia; Glen Greenberg, The Owl Shop; and Timothy Cabral, Ordinary and Gioia.
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- The Código 1530 Blanco Tequila cocktail blended Código 1530 Tequila with Ancho Reyes Verde Chile Liqueur, fresh watermelon juice, fresh lemon and tajin.
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- Gary Dritschler, CT State Manager, Campari America highlighting Skyy Vodka and Maeve Riden, Brand Ambassador showcasing Aperol.
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- Simon Brooking, Senior Ambassador Scotch Heritage, Beam Suntory and Erin Cain, Off-Premise Channel Manager, Beam Suntory.
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- Jamie Montesi, CT State Manager, William Grant & Sons showcasing Hendrick’s Gin.
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- Geoff Strickland, Field Sales Manager, Constellation Brands with selections from High West Distillery.
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- John Petropoulos, Jefferson’s Bourbon.
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- Marlene Torres, Senior Field Sales Manager, Constellation Brands with Mi Campo Tequila.
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- Rich Fiorello, East Coast Whiskey Ambassador, Heaven Hill Brands highlighting Evan Williams Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Laurel Parsons, Market Manager MA/CT/RO, Heaven Hill Brands showcasing Lunazul Blanco Tequila.
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- Lindsay Magner, Constellation Brands showcasing Marqués de Casa Noble Añejo Tequila.
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- Timothy Cabral, New Haven Cocktail Week Co-founder, Ordinary and Gioia; John Brennan, Elm City Social and Olives and Oil; Simon Brooking, Senior Ambassador Scotch Heritage, Beam Suntory; Ben Zemke, New Haven Cocktail Week Co-founder, Ordinary and Gioia; Glen Greenberg, New Haven Cocktail Week Co-founder, The Owl Shop; and Erin Cain, Off-Premise Channel Manager, Beam Suntory.
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- Simon Brooking, Senior Ambassador Scotch Heritage, Beam Suntory leading the Laphroaig Seminar and Tasting at The Owl Shop on Aug. 28.
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- Rich Fiorello, East Coast Whiskey Ambassador, Heaven Hill Brands leading the Elijah Craig Seminar Lab at Oak Haven Table & Bar on Aug. 29.
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- A guest participating in the Elijah Craig Seminar Lab at Oak Haven Table & Bar on Aug. 29.
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- A guest taking part in the Elijah Craig Seminar Lab at Oak Haven Table & Bar. A Marvel Cinematic Universe Party with themed cocktails, costumes and live music immediately followed.
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- Guests at the Campari Italian Portfolio Class at Olives and Oil on Aug. 30.
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- Christen LaRochelle, Luxury Sales Manager – New England, Constellation Brands leading the Nelson’s Green Brier seminar at Elm City Social on Aug. 31.
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- A guest at the Nelson’s Green Brier seminar at Elm City Social on Aug. 31.
Photos 1-14 by Michael Leung. Photos 15-21 courtesy of New Haven Cocktail Week.
