Cocktail Wars Newport, in collaboration with Connecticut’s Litchfield Distillery, hosted another installment of cocktail competitions as the Summer Splash at Marriott’s Skiff Bar took place in Newport on Sept. 15. Spearheaded by Cocktail Wars Newport Founder and Bartender John Begin, the event saw eight bartenders on the venue’s patio creating versions of summer cocktails featuring Connecticut-grown and -made Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Bourbon Whiskey, Gin or Vodka for a panel of judges. Newport Harbor Island Resort’s Cameron Carlin; Diego’s Newport and The Quencher’s David Tyler Fickel; Tavern on Broadway’s Chelsea Rein Smith, who placed as runner-up; Aquidneck Restaurant & Pizzeria’s Megan Andrews; The Chanler at Cliff Walk’s Julia Rose; The Silverback Gorilla Yacht Chef Mark Zwick; Bartender Corrine Crowley; and Marriott’s Skiff Bar’s Stephanie Snyder, who won the event, competed for the crown.
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- Cocktail Wars Newport, in collaboration with Connecticut’s Litchfield Distillery, hosted a Summer Splash cocktail competition at Marriott’s Skiff Bar in Newport on Sept. 15.
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- Connecticut’s Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Bourbon Whiskey, Gin or Vodka was showcased in each cocktail creation.
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- Cocktail Wars Newport Founder and Bartender John Begin welcomes guests and competitors.
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- Marriott’s Skiff Bar’s Stephanie Snyder crafts her winning cocktail using Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Vodka.
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- Snyder’s winning cocktail, Litchfield Strawberry 75.
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- Tavern on Broadway’s Chelsea Rein Smith, runner-up.
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- Smith’s second-place cocktail, Plum Hibiscus Smash, made with Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Bourbon Whiskey.
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- Newport Harbor Island Resort’s Cameron Carlin creates samples of his cocktail, Blackberry Bramble, for guests.
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- Carlin’s Blackberry Bramble cocktail.
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- The Chanler at Cliff Walk’s Julia Rose competes with her cocktail, Pualani.
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- Rose garnishes her cocktail, Pualani, which means “heavenly flower” in Hawaiian.
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- Aquidneck Restaurant & Pizzeria’s Megan Andrews crafts her cocktail, The Silent Killer.
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- Andrews’ The Silent Killer cocktail in a festive Tiki glass made with Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Vodka.
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- Competitor Chef Mark Zwick, The Silverback Gorilla Yacht.
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- Zwick’s Blueberry Ginger Fizz made using Litchfield Distillery Blueberry Flavored Vodka.
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- Competing bartender Corinne Crowley creating her cocktail, End of Summer.
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- Crowley’s finished cocktail, End of Summer.
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- Diego’s Newport and The Quencher’s David Tyler Fickel.
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- Fickel’s cocktail, Bollywood Dreams.
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- Competition judges Bert James; Doug Maloney, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery; and R. Carol Sosalla.
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- The colorful array of cocktails made during the Cocktail Wars Newport Summer Splash event.
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- Chelsea Rein Smith, runner-up, and Cocktail Wars competition winner Stephanie Snyder.
