punch contest

Event Recap: The 8th Annual Holiday Spirits Bazaar!

Photo by Stephanie Mei-Ling.

Photo by Stephanie Mei-Ling.

New Yorkers kicked off the holiday season with festive holiday punches and cocktails on November 18 at Astor Center

Guests were treated to endless ladles of spiced punch and whimsical wintry ballerinas amid a cozy rustic scene at The Dizzy Fizz's 8th Annual Holiday Spirits Bazaar. The sold-out event featured 25+ holiday punches and cocktails made by some of NYC's best bartenders. In advance of the busy season of entertaining, guests were inspired by concoctions such as the Rum and Raisin (Diplomatico Rum, fig preserve, lemon juice, and agave nectar), Chronic Munrosis No. 3 (served warm with Hendrick's Gin, apple juice, Mandarin juice, Rooibos tea, hibiscus syrup, and lemon juice), and the Spiced Old Fashioned (Westward American Single Malt, spiced demerara sugar, and orange oil). All of the recipes from the event can be found at holidayspiritsbazaar.com/recipes.

As guests sipped their way through the holiday libations, they used text-to-vote technology to select a People's Choice winner. Eric Ribeiro's Northern Spice Cider featuring Crown Royal (recipe below) took home the trophy and the ultimate bragging rights.

Masked ballerinas from Shien Artists delighted the crowd throughout the evening, while DJ Tomas Delos Reyes kept the vibe upbeat. VIP guests enjoyed an early oyster hour featuring Bluepoint Oysters catered by Eddie's Oysters, and all guests enjoyed an array of cheese and charcuterie from Stinky Brooklyn. The merry-making took place between two themed rooms—a Fireplace Tavern and a Sparkling Spirited Parlor.

As is tradition every year, a portion of ticket proceeds benefits Children’s Aid Society, a non-profit supporting some of NYC’s neediest children.

Exhibitors included: Westward Whiskey, Casa Magdalena Rum, Krogstad Aquavit, Four Roses Bourbon, Rhum Clement, Hendrick’s Gin, Reyka Vodka, Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky, Crown Royal, Don Papa Rum, Malfy Gin, Diplomatico Rum, Amaro Lucano, Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Drambuie, Chairman’s Reserve Rum, Poland Select Wodka, Montanaro, Spytail Rum, Black Button Apple Pie Moonshine, and non-alcoholic drinks by Curious Elixirs.


People's Choice Winner:

Photo by Stephanie Mei-Ling.

Photo by Stephanie Mei-Ling.

Northern Spice Cider
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye  
Union Mezcal  
Chai ginger cordial
Lemon juice
Pom Wonderful
Apple cider

wintry_ballerinas.jpg

A special thanks to my husband, Damien Good, event assistant Dani Shanberg and team, and digital partners Pulsd and Google.

Announcing the 5th Annual Holiday Spirits Bazaar!

HSB_Final_2014-02LR-2Kick off the season of entertaining with some of the best spirits around at the 5th Annual Holiday Spirits Bazaar on Saturday, November 22 at the Invisible Dog in Brooklyn. Sip your way through an unlimited array of holiday cocktails and punches made by some of NYC’s best bartenders, each competing for the top title in a friendly Punch-Off. A judging panel featuring cocktail historian and writer David Wondrich will choose the Best Bowl, and the crowd will help pick a People’s Choice winner for additional bragging rights.

Hosted by yours truly, this year the event spreads over two floors -- a Winter Whiskey Tavern and a Sparkling Spirited Parlor -- creating room for more merry-making than ever before. Also new this year, a Cocktail Lovers’ Pop-Up Shop will feature tasty treats and bartending gifts from local purveyors such as Cocktail Kingdom, Royal Rose Syrups, Tipsy Scoop, Brooklyn Baked ‘n’ Fried, Owl’s Brew, and more.

General admission is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and tickets are $50. Ticket-holders can enjoy unlimited libations as well as artisan bread from Scratchbread and cheese from Saxelby Cheesemongers. Subscribers to Urban Daddy Perks will get the scoop about a VIP hour starting at 5:30 p.m. featuring a raw bar supplied by Eddie “Oysters” Casiano. Use the code EARLYBIRD to save $10 before midnight on Monday, November 3!

A portion of proceeds benefits Children’s Aid Society, a non-profit supporting some of NYC’s neediest children. Guests are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or non-perishable food items for Food Bank NYC.

Sponsors include: Bulleit Bourbon, Don Q Rum, Lillet, Death’s Door Gin and Vodka, Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur, Four Roses Bourbon, Rum Diplomatico, G’Vine Gin, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Famous Grouse Scotch, Montelobos Mezcal, Half Moon Orchard Gin, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, Molinari Sambuca, Tap Whisky, Sorel Hibiscus Liqueur, The Irishman Whiskey, Aviation Gin, Indigenous Vodka, Redemption Rye, Excellia Tequila, Fernet Branca, Carpano Antica, Suze Liqueur, Boulard Calvados, and Ruffino Prosecco.

Don’t miss your chance to join one of New York’s most spirited celebrations!

“For New York’s cocktail elite and casual imbibers alike” --Societe Perrier

Must be 21-plus to attend. Please drink responsibly.

Saturday, November 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen St., Brooklyn, NY 11201. All ticket-holders must be 21-plus and present valid ID. For more information, please visit holidayspiritsbazaar.com.

Photos by David Stewart.

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