New Haven Cocktail Week Hosts Spirits Tasting

The founders of New Haven Cocktail Week previewed the upcoming event with a spirits tasting at Elm City Social on June 30. The event showcased the spirits brands that will be featured in this year’s weeklong celebration of New Haven cocktail culture, taking place Sept. 7-13. Brand and supplier representatives were in attendance to pour selections for guests as they enjoyed food from Elm City Social’s Owner and Chef John Brennan. 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 is typically met with sold-out seminars and a variety of spirits-centric events for the trade and public alike.

: New Haven Cocktail Week Founders: Ben Zemke, Co-owner, Ordinary; John Brennan, Owner, Elm City Social and Olives and Oil; Glen Greenberg, Owner, The Owl Shop; and Tim Cabral, Co-owner, Ordinary and Gioia.

: Henry Alberto, Administrative Assistant/Mixologist, Highclere Castle Spirits showcasing Highclere Castle Gin.

: Joy Flanagan, Northeast Regional Sales Director, MS Walker Brands highlighting St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur.

: Bacardi’s Natalie Vazquez, Account Manager and Christen LaRochelle, State Manager.

: Gary Dritschler, CT State Manager, Campari.

: David Vogel, Founder and CEO, Badger Bevs.

: Sabine Latapie, Sales Director Northeast, Milam & Greene showcasing Milam & Greene Rye Whiskey.

: Peter Apotrias, Field Sales Manager, Connecticut Distributors, Inc., highlighting Amaro Montenegro.

: Akie Smythe, CT Market Manager, Brown-Forman showcasing Diplomático Rum.

: Michael DePasqua, State Manager, Suntory Global Spirits highlighting Maker’s Mark Whisky and Roku Gin.

: Albert Greenwood, Regional Brand Manager of Sales, NEFT Vodka.

: Phuong Thy Vilaysane, Moët Hennessy Portfolio Manager, Brescome Barton.

: Kenny Ng, Regional Director, Chatham Imports, Inc., and Veronica Saurett, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton.

: Elm City Social’s Owner and Chef John Brennan setting out food for guests.

: David Vogel, Founder and CEO, Badger Bevs and Jesus Aponte, Bar Manager, Gioia.

: Maria Huerta (left) and Lorena San Martin (right), Owners, Blue Tortuga Bistro & Bar and Kevin Hickey, New England Regional Manager, Sovereign Brands (center).