I love attending a good cocktail competition! I always come away with great ideas and discoveries in many categories—spirits, mixers, infusions, syrups, and clever garnishes. This one was no exception.
Hosted at Seamstress, on the upper east side of NYC, seven mixologists competed to see whose mix of exotic ingredients would please the judges. Blaine Ashley, the founder of New York Champagne week orchestrated the fantastic event (seen in the photo at the top of this post) showed up on the scene with the prototype of her new rosé wine). All in all, it was a great way to spend a late afternoon, with bottles of Cinzano Prosecco.
It was fun visiting each table and hearing a little bit about the mix and inspiration. Trish Rosienne reveals her cocktail secrets. Right: husband and wife competed: Nicole and McSon Salicetti.
Let these creative cocktails inspire you to create one of your own for your next get together. Or just visit the mixologists at their locale and have one specially mixed for you.
Four by Fire (the winning cocktail)
This one had a smoky twist to it.
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Wemyss Peat Chimney Scotch
- Williams & Humbert Manzanilla Sherry
- fresh lemon juice
- orange & angostura bitters
- pinch salt
- garnish: whole star anise + dehydrated apple
—by Nicole Salicetti of Railway Bar
La Ponderosa
Italian prosecco with a Mexican influence.
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Bribon Tequila
- Horchata
- Tamarind Syrup
- Q ginger ale
- garnish: cinnamon sticks + ginger candy
—by Stevie Gray of Cecconi’s Dumbo
Mela D’Amore
A foodie approach to cocktails.
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Dos Maderas Rum
- green tomato & celery juice
- Pamplemousse honey
- serrano pepper, pink & black peppercorns
- Cocchi Americano
- fresh lime zest strips
- orange & angostura bitters
—McSon Salicetti of Crimson & Rye
Fenice Fiama
A heady mix of strength and fire.
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Bauchant Orange Liqueur
- Williams & Humbert Manzanilla Sherry
- Blanche Armagnac
- black peppercorn tincture
- Peychaud’s bitters
- Absinthe
- Scrappy’s firewater bitters
—by Becca Pesce of The Dead Rabbit
Spa Water
On the lighter end of the spectrum.
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Ravo Vodka
- Yellow Chartreuse
- fresh lemon juice
- cucumber syrup
- fresh-pressed ginger
- garnish: cucumber + purple orchid
—by Meaghan Montagano
The British Tea Party
This was my favorite of the bunch, mixed with a fantastic gin.
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Drumshanbo Irish Gin
- Tea blend
- hibiscus syrup
- lemon juice
—by Craig Scheidlo of Ousia
Unconventional Lovers
Another foodie approach, with a bit of smokiness.
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Los Amantes Mezcal Reposado
- red pepper puree
- cucumber water
- caraway simple syrup
- rim: Tajin (a blend of chili peppers, salt, dehydrated lime juice)
—by Trish Rosienne of Monk McGinn’s
Judge Francine Cohen sits aside the line of contestants. Right: the crowd waits while the winner is announced.
