elit Vodka announces US Art of Martini winners

SPI Group’s ultra-premium vodka elit has named the five US winners of its Art of Martini competition, which challenged bartenders to create “the most avant-garde expression” of the classic serve.

Participants were called upon to develop their own take on the Martini, using elit Vodka as the base spirit, plus a local ingredient.

Bartenders promoted their serves in their own bars and restaurants for two months to test popularity with the public before each city heat.

A panel of judges then assessed each bartender and their Martini in the regional finals.

Trevor Landy from DISH restaurants, Dallas; Sarah Rith from The Dorsey at The Venetian, Las Vegas; Mike West from The Cannery Newport Beach, Los Angeles; Seth Weinberg from Fontainebleu Miami Beach, Miami; and Amanda Toar from One One Four Bar & Lounge at The Marmara Park Avenue in New York were all victorious in the US city stage.

“Reinventing such an iconic cocktail is no easy mission, but each of these bartenders created sheer works of art from the taste experience through to the stunning presentations,” said Brent Lamberti, luxury spirits sales director for Stoli Group USA.

“The judges were impressed with their original choice of ingredients and the way the unique flavours complemented the ultra-luxury notes of elit Vodka. We look forward to seeing the US finalists take Ibiza by storm in the semi-finals,”

The five US winners will progress to the global semi-final, and then potentially the final, which both take place in Ibiza from 22-24 September 2017.

The Ibiza experience will include mentoring sessions with a world-class chef and the opportunity to meet leading bartenders and bar and club owners.

The winner of the grande finale will have the chance to showcase their winning serve at Tales of the Cocktail 2018.