New Haven Cocktail Week Spotlights Brands

New Haven Cocktail Week kicked off with the annual Spirits Ball hosted at Gioia on Sept. 7. 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. During the Spirits Ball, guests tasted the spirit brands showcased at the city’s participating bars during the weeklong event and received in-person education from distributor and supplier representatives. Signature cocktails mixed up by Gioia’s bar team also showcased this year’s featured spirits.

: Tim Cabral, Co-owner, Ordinary and Gioia and Co-founder, New Haven Cocktail Week; Andy Fuentes, Ordinary; Brandon Sands, Ordinary; and Silveria Esquivel, Ordinary.

: Veronica Sauret, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton with the Licor 43 and Milam & Greene Whiskey lines.

: Scott Randall, Brand Manager, Slocum & Sons and a Brand Ambassador.

: Brown-Forman’s Neel Amin, CT State Manager and Akie Smythe, CT Market Manager.

: Joy Flanagan, Regional Sales Director, MS Walker showcasing St. Elder Elderflower Liqueur.

: Andrew Hobbs, Wine and Spirits Consultant, Opici Family Distributing of Connecticut.

: Kenny Ng, Regional Director, Chatham Imports showcasing Siete Misterios Mezcal.

: Jorge Ball, Senior Territory Manager, Moët Hennessy highlighting Volcan De Mi Tierra X.A Reposado Tequila.

: Bacardi’s Joaquin Valdovinos, Portfolio Ambassador and Natalie Vazquez, Account Manager showcasing Teeling Irish Whiskey.

: Gary Dritschler, CT State Manager, Campari America highlighting Espolòn Reposado Tequila.

: A brand ambassador showcasing NEFT Vodka; Henry Alberto, Administrative Assistant/Mixologist, Highclere Castle Spirits; and Melissa Trofatter, Sales Administrator, Highclere Castle Spirits.

: Alfonsina Medina, Brand Ambassador, Compagnia dei Caraibi U.S.

: Brand Ambassador Jasmin Askew highlighting Suntory Toki Whisky.

: Sabine Latapie, Sales Director Northeast, Milam & Greene; Jillian Vose, Brand Ambassador and Partner, Badger Bevs; and David Vogel, Founder and CEO, Badger Bevs.