NEW YORK, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- elit^® ultra-luxury Vodka today announced the USA winners of the elit^® art of martini competition, which called upon leading bartenders to create the most avant-garde interpretation of the classic cocktail. To start on this journey, participants were invited to create their own take on the martini, using elit Vodka as the main spirit and showcasing a local ingredient. For two months, the bartenders promoted their cocktail in their bars or restaurants to test its popularity with the public before each city competition, where five regional finalists and their martinis were judged by three spirits industry experts.

The following bartenders won over their cities' discerning drinkers and impressed judges with their inventive takes on a classic. The next stage of the competition will have all city winners present their cocktails in Ibiza, Spain, where they will vie for the world's most artistic martini.

• Dallas – Trevor Landry, DISH restaurants
• Las Vegas – Sarah Rith, The Dorsey at The Venetian
• Los Angeles – Mike West, The Cannery Newport Beach
• Miami – Seth Weinberg, Fontainebleu Miami Beach
• New York – Amanda Toar, One One Four Bar & Lounge at The Marmara Park Avenue

"Reinventing such an iconic cocktail is no easy mission, but each of these bartenders created sheer works of art from the taste experience through to the stunning presentations. The judges were impressed with their original choice of ingredients and the way the unique flavors complemented the ultra-luxury notes of elit Vodka. We look forward to seeing the US finalists take Ibiza by storm in the semi-finals," said Brent Lamberti, luxury spirits sales director for Stoli Group USA.

The global semi-final and final will take place between 22^nd and 24^th September and will give city winners the opportunity to elevate their bartending skills to new levels, including mentoring sessions with a world-class chef and showcasing their works of cocktail mastery using a variety of multi-sensory effects. The competition in Ibiza is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and be inspired by the world's leading bartenders and club owners. The winner of the Grand Finale will continue on their journey of artistic discovery by getting the chance to showcase their winning cocktail at the renowned Tales of the Cocktail event in New Orleans in 2018.

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About Stoli^® Group
Part of SPI Group – one of the world's leading premium spirits businesses – Stoli Group was established in 2013 as the division responsible for the management, distribution and marketing of SPI's global spirit portfolio.

elit, From the house of Stoli, Stoli, the logos, the bottle shape are trademarks of, depending of the country, ZHS IP Americas Sàrl, ZHS IP Europe Sàrl or ZHS IP Worldwide Särl.

SOURCE Stoli Group

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