Barr Hill Gin Crowns Winner of Second Annual Royal Jelly Cocktail Competition

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Chef Shintaro Eleazar Tozzo’s “Bee Bop” Cocktail Takes Top Honors in Sustainability-Focused Contest

MONTPELIER, VT – Barr Hill Gin, America's most awarded gin and creator of Landcrafted® spirits, is thrilled to announce the winner of its second annual Royal Jelly Cocktail Competition. Chef Shintaro Eleazar Tozzo of Bar Moga (New York, NY), took home the top prize with his cocktail, the “Bee Bop.” Lauren Simmons took second place honors for her cocktail, the “Bugs Hunny.” 

The competition, held on August 25, 2024, at Barr Hill's James Beard-nominated Bar and Distillery in Montpelier, Vermont, showcased the talents of eight remarkable semifinalists from across the Northeast. Competitors were tasked with creating the best Bees' Knees-inspired cocktail using Barr Hill Gin, lemon, and honey, while highlighting the importance of sustainability in the spirits industry.

Chef Tozzo’s “Bee Bop” included brown butter-washed Barr Hill Gin, honey, grapefruit, lemon, egg white, Himalayan sea salt, and a caramel tuile.

Patrick Amice, General Manager of Hospitality at Caledonia Spirits, expressed his enthusiasm for the competition: "We're thrilled to partner with thousands of bars nationwide for Bee's Knees Week, Sept. 20-29, helping plant nearly a million square feet of pollinator habitat. Hosting the Northeast's most creative cocktail makers for a Bee's Knees battle royale was fantastic. Congratulations to Chef Tozzo for ‘bee-ing’ this year’s Royal Jelly title – we're excited to feature their cocktail on Gin Lane for Bee’s Knees Week!"

In addition to the judges' selection, attendees voted for their favorite cocktail. The People's Choice Award and second place went to Lauren Simmons’ “Bugs’ Hunny.” The four finalists were rounded out by Madison Drain of Tiny Bar PVD (Providence, RI), who placed third, and Jack O Brien of Blyth & Burrows and Bistro LeLuco (South Portland, ME), who placed fourth.

The eight semifinalists and their cocktail creations included:

  • Hector Guzman-Roman - "The Bee'ch Rose": A unique blend of Barr Hill Gin, Mezcal, Beach Rose Hip, Honey, Lemon, Sea Salt & Black Pepper, topped with a Honey Meringue Foam.
  • Jamie Pessoa Monteiro - "Mai Hive": A tropical twist featuring Barr Hill Gin, Banana Honey Liqueur, Orgeat, Lemon, Black Walnut Bitters, and Pineapple Tom Cat Gin.
  • Jack O'Brien - "Everything But The Hive": An umami-rich creation with Barr Hill Gin, Black Garlic Vodka, Toasted Sesame Orgeat, Honey, and Lemon.
  • Katie Thompson - "Garden Buzz": A refreshing mix of Honeycomb washed Barr Hill Gin, Garden Honey, Lillet Blanc, Cucumber, Lemon, and a Tom Cat Gin Jello-Shot.
  • Lauren Simmons - "Bugs Hunny": A dessert-inspired cocktail with Barr Hill Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Gran Marnier, Lemon, Carrot, Orgeat, Ginger, Honey, Preserved Lemon, and Creme Fraiche Creemee.
  • Madison Drain - "Mitsubachi": An Asian-inspired creation featuring Barr Hill Gin, Shochu, Kombu, Honey, Ginger, Lemon, and Togarashi.
  • Olivia Watts - "Beez Nuts": A nutty concoction of Barr Hill Gin, Tom Cat Gin, Honey Pistachio Orgeat, Lemon, and Dry Curacao.
  • Shintaro Eleazar Tozzo - "Bee Bop": A culinary-inspired cocktail with Brown Butter washed Barr Hill Gin, Honey, Grapefruit, Lemon, Egg White, Himalayan Sea Salt, and a Caramel Tuile.
The judges panel included Robert Simonson, celebrated author and New York Times writer; Justin Sajda, known as @ThirstyWhale, a cocktail and spirits educator; and Patty Burns, last year’s Royal Jelly winner.
The cocktail competition not only required the use of honey, it also included a special three-course honey dinner for the participants and judges, sponsored by the National Honey Board (NHB). Barr Hill is a partner in NHB’s Honey Saves Hives program, devoted to spreading the buzz on how everyone can support honey bees and the beekeepers who care for them, as well as providing inspiration on delicious ways to use nature’s sweetener.  

“It's a sweet and easy program for Barr Hill to participate in since regional raw honey provides botanical balance and remarkable depth to Barr Hill's gins, and it’s the only ingredient in Barr Hill Vodka,” said Ryan Christiansen, President and Head Distiller at Caledonia Spirits, maker of Barr Hill spirits. 

The Royal Jelly Competition serves as a precursor to Barr Hill's Bees' Knees Week, taking place September 20-September 29, 2024. This annual event highlights the vital role pollinators play in our environment and supports Barr Hill's mission to create 1 million square feet of pollinator habitat by the end of Bees' Knees Week 2024. The four Royal Jelly finalists will have pollinator habitat pledged and planted to match the size of their home bars. 

Bee’s Knees Week takes place during National Honey Month, hosted by the National Honey Board, which focuses on educating the public about this essential ingredient and encourages all to eat honey and buy products made with honey for a better planet. 

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ABOUT BARR HILL

Barr Hill is an award-winning, super-premium spirits brand made by the Montpelier, Vermont-based distillery, Caledonia Spirits. Barr Hill started in 2011 when Ryan Christiansen—now head distiller of Barr Hill—met beekeeper Todd Hardie who was using raw honey in his small production winery. A decade later and now the team has grown and moved into a state of the art, sustainably built distillery and bar spread across five acres, producing America’s most awarded gin—all centered around regional raw honey and helping pollinators. Barr Hill currently produces three spirits – Barr Hill Gin, Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin, and Barr Hill Vodka. 

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