The event, sponsored by Maine magazine, the Maine Restaurant Association, Maine Beverage Company, and Maine Home + Design, will feature 15 of Maine’s top mixologists competing for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cash prizes, to be decided by “People’s Choice” votes. Guests will enjoy an impressive variety of cocktail creations, heavy hors d’oeuvres from area culinary talent, and live classic blues and rock tunes by the Ken Grimsley Band throughout the evening.
Tickets ($35) will be available on the Maine Distilleries website beginning early January, and a portion of event proceeds will be donated to Share Our Strength Maine’s recently launched “Cooking Matters to Maine” nutrition education program.
“Our mixology events throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic are always big hits with cocktail pros and Cold River fans alike,” noted Bob Harkins, managing partner and director of marketing and sales with Maine Distilleries. “We expect this year’s event in Portland to be a sellout, and look forward to an outstanding evening at the Ocean Gateway with some of the most skilled bartenders Maine has to offer.”
In addition to its Cold River Classic and Blueberry Vodkas, new at the 2011 Cold River Bartenders Bash will be creations made with the Freeport-based company’s recently launched Cold River Gin (http://tinyurl.com/2cr4lhk), recently named by spirits guru Robert Plotkin to his “Hottest New Backbar Prospects” list.
“Maine restaurants and chefs are justifiably earning all sorts of national attention, but it’s great also to see so many Maine bartenders and spirits earning recognition,” said Dick Grotton, president and CEO of the Maine Restaurant Association. “Mixologists throughout Maine are making real inroads on the cocktail scene; there’s an incredible amount of creative bar talent here in our state. The Cold River Bartenders Bash is a great way to recognize and celebrate this talent.”