"Back to the Roots" is a mobile competition, moving from place to place every year. It all started 2 years ago in Milan, Italy and last year we moved on to the UK and London. This year it was time to be on the US east coast !
The philosophy of the competition is always the same:
Back to the Roots: Simplicity, authenticity, heritage. Great drinks are easy to make, you just need unique ingredients & a story to tell
Ιn order to enter, competitors had to connect their own roots with Roots, presenting a simple low abv or classic twist cocktail. The final took place on the 8th of October in NY, at Ousia NYC s a high end bar restaurant with a greek mediterranean twist, located on the waterfront, just off the West Side Highway. First of all meet our judging panel, from right to left:
Adam Teeter, CEO & co-founder at Vinepair, the fastest growing drinks media company. Adam is an authority on how to make the drinks world accessible to everyone as well as on the ever evolving media landscape. He is the winner of the Left Bank Bordeaux Cup American Wine-Tasting Championship and holds an MBA from NYU Stern.
Dimitrios Elias Zahariadis, co-founder and President of the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) New Haven Chapter (formerly CT Chapter), is an award-winning bartender and pioneer in the craft cocktail movement in the state of CT. Roots Brand Ambassador in New England
Eric Job, born and raised in Norwich, Connecticut and moved to NYC to work for Tom Colicchio almost a decade ago . Worked at various prestigiouscocktail bars in Manhattan and Brooklyn including Amor y Amargo and Extra Fancy. For the last fours years he is the east coast brand ambassador for Olmeca Altos tequila.
Τhe big winner, Jen La Forge, from Blossom bar in Boston ! Jen will be coming to Athens Bar Show, in Athens Greece in November !
and her cocktail:
"Always Sunny"
The second winner was also from Boston, and Backbar, Sam Treadway
with his cocktail:
"Private Moment"
1 oz Roots Tentura
1 oz Privateer Amber Rum
1 oz Lustau oloroso sherry
Rinse of Alice and the Magician Tobacco Spray
The third in the podium was finally from NYC, where the competition took place. Ladies and gents, Alexander Kass from the Aviary at the Mandarin Oriental, and Lion Lion
Rocket War or “Rouketopolemos”
2 oz Roots Mastic
3/4 oz lemon juice
3 cucumber slices
handful arugula
5 dashes Fee Bros. Peach Bitters
Meet all the finalists and their (awesome) cocktails:
Arnaldo Silva, Boqueria, NY
“Island Roots”
Roots Mastic
Honey syrup (2:1)
Coconut water
Rose sparkling wine
A dash of aromatic bitters
Basilios Sambanidis, Ousia, NY
“Aorato Negroni”
Roots Mastiha
Gin
Dry vermouth
Lemon Bitters
Camila Fernandes, Osamil, NY
“Chios Berry”
Roots Mastiha
Coconut water
Lime juice
Raspberries
Conrad Meurice, Chango Rosa, CT
"Blueberry Woodlawn"
Roots Mastitha
Sparkling water
blueberries
sprig of rosemary
Dandelion & Burdock Bitters
Daniel Rek, Elm City Social, CT
"Simple Med"
Roots Mastiha
Boston Bittah’s
Cucumber Juice
Lime Juice
David Roth, Covina, New York
"Nom De Plume”
Roots Mastiha
Pedro Jimenez Sherry
Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
Punt e Mes
Orange Bitters
“Greek White Russian”
Roots Rakomelo
grappa
vanilla frozen yogurt
lemon peel
Eli Shapiro, Railstop Brighton, MA
Roots Mastiha
Creme de Violette
Lemon Juice
Roots Diktamo
Fino Sherry
Roots Kanela
Vermouth di Torino
Celery Bitters
Angostura Bitters
Orange Bitters
Roots Rakomelo
Faran Olorosso Sherry
fresh squeezed lime juice
Coco Rico Coconut soda
Roots Mastiha
Metaxa 12 Star
Harney and Sons honeyed Oolong pomegranate tea
Lemon Juice
Angostura bitters
“Nemeans’s Tail”
Roots Tentura Liqueur
Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon
Ancho Reyes Chili Ancho Liqueur
Fresh Lime Juice
Angostura Bitters
Linda Garcia, Blacktail, New York
“Canela y Picante”
Roots Tentura
freshly juiced peach
Top with ice & Westbrook brewing Co. Gose beer
Luke Doherty, Less than greater than, Boston, MA
“TIKI JUICE REDUX”
Roots Rakomelo
Briottet Crème de Banane
fresh pineapple juice
Club Soda
Bittermens Elemakule Tiki Bitters
Maria Phillipis, Kovo, Kingston - NY
"The Grexican"
Roots Mastiha
Yola Mezcal
Contratto Aperitif
Rob - Rugg Hinds, The Eddy, NY
“KISSAMOS SOUR”
Roots Rakomelo
demerara sugar syrup
fresh lemon juice
Marcelo Chasi, The 18th Room, NYC
"18th Sour"
Roots Mastiha
fresh grapefruit juice
fresh lime juice
Jalapenos
angostura bitters
Amazing food by Ousia NYC:
All drinks were exceptional and as all judges agreed, the decision was extremely tough:
The awards and gifts for everyone are starting:
Cheers, or Yamas (γειά μας) and see you all again very soon !
You can get Roots on premise:
- NY Blueprint Spirits
- MA Inspired Beverage Inc.
- CT Opici
