Downtown New Haven venues participated in a weeklong showcase of spirits brands and cocktails for the annual New Haven Cocktail Week Sept. 7-13. 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 Wooster Street’s Gioia on Sept. 7. With more than 30 bars offering specialty cocktail menus and around 25 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 Last Call event when participants were encouraged to visit their favorite participating venues as part of the citywide cocktail crawl.
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- New Haven Cocktail Week Co-founders John Brennan, Owner, Elm City Social and Olives and Oil and Ben Zemke, Co-owner, Ordinary.
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- Joaquin Valdovinos, Portfolio Ambassador, Bacardi led the seminar, Behind the Smoke, exploring Ilegal Mezcal’s story at Ordinary on Sept. 8.
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- Angel’s Envy Triple Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Finished Rye Whiskey.
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- Guests tasted Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Triple Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Finished Rye Whiskey.
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- Ashley Erwin, Storyteller and Brand Educator, Angel’s Envy led the seminar on the brand.
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- Alfonsina Medina, Brand Ambassador, Compagnia dei Caraibi U.S. led the Amaro Importante seminar on Elm City Social’s rooftop on Sept. 9.
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- Tastes of Jefferson Amaro Importante.
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- Cocktails were paired with food at the Amaro Importante seminar at Elm City Social.
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- Suntory Toki Black Japanese Whisky, Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky, Toki Japanese Whisky and Kanáde Yuzu Liqueur.
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- Carolyn Flaherty, Bar Manager, 116 Crown by Hachiroku; Keli Rivers, Brand Ambassador, House of Suntory and Presenter; and Tim Cabral, Co-owner, Ordinary and Gioia and Co-founder, New Haven Cocktail Week.
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- The tasting mat for the House of Suntory event.
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- Keli Rivers, Brand Ambassador, House of Suntory led the Suntory Spirits seminar at 116 Crown by Hachiroku on Sept. 11.
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- All from Highclere Castle Spirits except where indicated: Melissa Trofatter, Sales Administrator; Adam von Gootkin, Founder and CEO; Henry Alberto, Administrative Assistant/Mixologist; Brenny Savoy, Mixologist; and Renee Lemieux, Chief of Staff.
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- Glen Greenberg, Owner, The Owl Shop and Co-founder, New Haven Cocktail Week and Adam von Gootkin, Founder and CEO, Highclere Castle Spirits leading the Highclere Castle Gin presentation on Sept. 11.
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- Highclere Castle Gin was showcased during a seminar at The Owl Shop on Sept. 11.
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- An event cocktail featuring Highclere Castle Gin paired with a cigar at The Owl Shop.
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- Guests toast with cocktails featuring Highclere Castle Gin.
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- New Haven Cocktail Week memorabilia and merchandise were available for purchase.
Photos by Alejandro Villacorta.
