Four Seasons Hotel
We're all painfully aware of the difficulties COVID-19 has inflicted on our community, but for those in the hospitality industry, the pandemic has been particularly unforgiving. A report by FIU revealed more than $3 billion in hotel and restaurant sales revenue losses between March and August 2020 in Miami-Dade County alone. While many bars shuttered and bartenders struggled to find their financial footing, six local mixologists tapped into their creative artistry — discovering and flourishing their talent in the arts.
On Monday, August 30, Bombay Sapphire will present the Miami Spotlight Event of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Project. The event will showcase the works of six finalists from the Magic City — William Orestes Cruz (painting), Gina Hoover (oil painting), Diego Varona (photography), Alexandra Martorano (leathermaking), Dalla Pola (photography) and Ysabel Rossi (photography). Each finalist submitted a 90-second video about their creative passion — from leather making to photography and more.
The bartenders hail from some of Miami's most coveted bars, ranging from the upscale Champagne Bar (Diego Varona), to the tropical haven of Esotico (William Dalla Pola) and the go-to local's spot, Sweet Liberty (Ysabel Rossi.)
Twenty-five applicants were selected from North America in total, and each received grant money to bring their proposed creations to life at regional finalist showcase events this fall, starting with Miami (Aug. 30), San Francisco (Sept. 13), Los Angeles (Sept. 20) and New York (Sept. 27).
Designed to celebrate the nation’s top bartenders and their inspirational, creative spirit in the communities they serve, the 2021 Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Project Canvas Project edition this year in particular honors bartenders who were looking for a new creative outlet during the pandemic, with the hospitality industry being one of the most hard-hit.
Beyond the showing of the stunning original works, guests will get to experience new cocktail creations from the finalists along with the latest mixology tricks and trends to bring these to life.
Ysabel Rossi’s Color Plus Gin and Tonic
1.5 oz Bombay Sapphire
½ oz Martini and Rossi Fiero
1.5 oz Watermelon Juice
¼ oz Orange Juice
1/8 oz Honey
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Build in a Balloon glass and top with Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water and garnish with an Orange Wheel.
The event runs from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
For more information, click here.