Sarasota-Manatee Originals Announces Winners of Set the Bar 2025 Cocktail & Bar Bite Competition
Sarasota-Manatee Originals proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Set the Bar Cocktail & Bar Bite Competition, held Sunday, April 13 at Ed Smith Stadium. The annual event brought together top local bartenders and chefs for a night of mixology, culinary creativity, and community celebration. Guests sampled cocktails and bar bites from over 25 participating restaurants and voted for the People’s Choice Awards. Meanwhile, a panel of professional judges conducted a blind tasting to select winners in five spirit categories — Gin, Vodka, Whiskey, Tequila, and Rum — and chose one standout for the Overall Judges Pick.
Cocktail Category Winners (Judges’ Selections):
Gin – Jack Dusty
HumbleBee | Bartenders: Heidi Finley & Miche le Taglieri
Coconut Beeswax Washed Aviation Gin, Lilet Rouge, Chareau Liqueur, House Made Tropical Elixir, Honey Simple Infused with Juniper and Coriander. Garnished with Neutral Pop Rocks and Micro Flowers A Clarified Cocktail, Washed with Coconut
Milk
Vodka – Euphemia Haye
Longboat Lavender Lush | Bartender: Sam Lastinger
Ice Pik Vodka, Limonce lo, Pamplemousse, House-made Lavender Syrup and Fresh Lemon Juice
Whiskey – Café Gabbiano
Limonce lo Blackberry Cobbler | Bartender: Kristopher Lawrence
Old Bardstown Kentucky Bourbon, Homemade Limoncelo, Blackberry Simple Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, Maple Pecan Bitters, Rimmed with Caramel Graham Cracker, Garnished with Blackberry and Smoked Rosemary
Tequila – Sage SRQ
Solstice Punch | Bartender: Patrick Dawson
Dano’s Reposado Tequila, Melon Liqueur, Coconut Liqueur, Lime Juice (Clarified Milk Punch) Garnished with Frozen Cantaloupe Melon Bals as the Ice
Rum – Paradise Gril
Mermaid Elixir | Bartenders: Justin Martin & Brenda Nava
Muddled Roasted Pineapple, Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum, Orange Liquor, Guava-Lime Juice, Pineapple Infused Simple Syrup, Morning Elixir (Ginger, Honey, Lemon, Cayenne Pepper and Pinch of Himalayan Salt) Garnished with Sweet and Spicy Pink Sugar Rim, Dry Pineapple Flower, Pineapple Leaves, Edible Flower
Overall Judges Pick – Café Gabbiano
Limonce lo Blackberry Cobbler | Bartender: Kristopher Lawrence
People’s Choice Awards (Attendee Voting):
Cocktail – Kolucan
Kukulkan’s Fire | Bartender: Adriana Alvarado
Serrano-infused Dano’s Reposado Tequila, House-made Pitaya Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave, Jalapeño Sea Salt Rim, Cucumber Garnish
Bar Bite – Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi | Shrimp stuffed with Kani and lobster mix, lightly fried and topped with spicy mayo and eel sauce. Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi was also recognized for Best Tablescape, highlighting their creative and visually engaging booth presentation.
Sarasota-Manatee Originals thanks a l participating restaurants, sponsors, partners, guests, and judges for making this year’s event a success. Set the Bar celebrates the creativity of our local hospitality professionals and the strength of the independently owned dining community across Sarasota and Manatee counties.