Celebrating Sustainable Mixology: Winners of Hennessy’s Pave the Way Cocktail Program

The vibrant French Quarter of New Orleans hosted a memorable celebration as Hennessy's inaugural Pave the Way cocktail competition showcased seven regional champions. These contenders shared their unique approaches to sustainability within the realm of mixology, captivating guests with engaging stories and signature cocktails.

Meet the Champion Mixologists

The distinguished winners, each representing different regions of the country, included Victor Uceda-Vereau from Bar Kaiju in Miami, Lauren Pellecchia of Merchant's Club in Newport, Michael McGee, Jr. of Tallboy in Oakland, Joshua Bender of Fish Gaucho in Paso Robles, DJ Ballard from Press Club Cocktail Bar in Washington, D.C., Tiffany Trotter of Follies in Mobile, and L. Scott of Blue Crawfish Boutique Hotel in New Orleans. They prepared and served their cocktails at the iconic Arnaud's restaurant, a fitting backdrop for this celebration of creativity and sustainability.

The Pave the Way Initiative

Launched by Another Round Another Rally in collaboration with the well-respected cognac producer Hennessy, the Pave the Way program is designed to empower hospitality professionals. It provides them with tools to enhance their knowledge of cognac and emphasizes sustainable practices within their careers and communities.

Voices of Experience

Michael McGee, an Oakland bartender, drew inspiration from the program's combination of education and mentorship. He highlighted how the floral brightness of Hennessy V.S.O.P influenced his Sidekicks cocktail, masterfully blending its nuanced flavors to achieve a harmonious result.

DJ Ballard, based in D.C., expressed the importance of integrating sustainability into everyday practices rather than treating it as a trendy badge of honor. His Hennessy highball, Lemonade, exemplified this philosophy—with an easy-to-replicate recipe that maximizes flavor while being mindful of ingredients.

L. Scott, with a two-decade bar experience, applied for the program to challenge her understanding of mixology. She discovered that sustainability transcends mere trends; it reflects a deeper respect for ingredients and their stories, which she honored in her cocktail.

A Multi-Phase Competition

This year’s Pave the Way program unfolded in three phases, beginning in March with applications and culminating in a lively cocktail competition. The educational component covered cognac and sustainability, culminating in a test that examined participants' understanding of these topics. Contestants then created original cocktails, showcasing their craft and sustainable practices.

The live competition featured semi-finalists from each region facing off, utilizing their knowledge to construct cocktails that illustrated their personal sustainability journeys. Bender’s drink, Skin Contact, played to Hennessy’s blending heritage, highlighting its diverse eaux de vie to create memorable flavor pairings.

Sustainable Cocktails and Unique Ingredients

The champions’ cocktails stood out, each reflecting their commitment to sustainability. Victor Uceda-Vereau’s Burbujas en été reduced food waste by creatively repurposing figs and using seasonal alternatives. In contrast, Lauren Pellecchia’s Full Circle cocktail utilized a coffee-banana syrup made from ingredients often overlooked, showcasing her dedication to reusing and repurposing.

For Trotter, her Tiki-inspired Driftwood Provision cocktail turned kitchen scraps into a luxurious experience, emphasizing that every moment is special enough to warrant celebration. “Saving a bottle of cognac for a ‘special occasion’ may not be promised, so create your own reason to celebrate!” she noted.

Experiencing New Orleans Hospitality

As guests entered Arnaud's, the atmosphere was enlivened by a live jazz band, perfectly complementing the event’s festive tone. Spanning multiple dining rooms, the experience offered attendees the opportunity to engage with each other, learn, and appreciate the craft of cocktails.

Every participant departed with a beautiful Hennessy Pave the Way compendium, while the champions left bolstered by a renewed sense of empowerment to implement sustainability in their craft. Trotter captured the essence of the program’s goals: “It’s to encourage people to expand their minds, returning home with the skills and confidence to impact their local scene.”

This article is sponsored by Hennessy.

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