Cardenxe crowns cocktail contest winners
For the third edition of its competition, sotol brand Cardenxe asked US-based bartenders to create cocktails inspired by an anecdote or emotional experience from their lives.
On 28 April, Cardenxe Sotol held its third annual cocktail contest at The Georgia Room in New York with a theme of ‘Catalyst of Deep Emotions’.
Bartenders were encouraged to share their stories and backgrounds, and the emotions behind them.
“To us, the cocktail contest holds a special significance every year, because it celebrates the New York bartending industry, which has so greatly welcomed Cardenxe into their lives,” founder Luigi Ambrosi said. “Moreover, it always falls on our anniversary date, a great way to celebrate.”
Competition judges included Jonathan Adler, beverage director at Shinji’s bar in New York; Estelle Bossy, beverage director at New York City’s LeRock; Sondre Kasin, director of bars at Cote/Coqadaq in New York; Tom Richter, luxury spirits portfolio consultant at Gallo; The Josh Craig, an artist and cocktail connoisseur; and Tim McKirdy, managing editor at VinePair.
Each finalist prepared and presented their cocktail to the panel then held a 15-minute guest shift at separate bar stations where attendees could sample the drinks.
Ambrosi and his Cardenxe co-founder Nitzan Podoswa presented three prizes on the night.
The Social Media prize was awarded to Emily Harkins of Rosevale Cocktail Room in New York, while Naeem Kama won the People’s Choice for his Desert Martini.
Finally, Thyme Bar’s Leaha Brewer won first in the Judge prize, securing a trip to Mexico, the birthplace of sotol. Brewer’s cocktail, Windsong, was a sensory tribute to identity, emotion, and her Appalachian roots. Through sotol, music, and nature, Brewer explored themes of resilience, release, and duality, using symbols like dandelions, sour corn, and folk ballads, to tell a story of healing, heritage, and freedom.
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