After an afternoon of educational seminars and tastings, participants at the Madeira Wine Experience came together for some fun. The evening program kicked off with a Madeira cocktail class presented by NYC’s own Francesco Dionese, followed by demonstrations from six local mixologists. Dozens of Madeira wines, from dry to sweet styles, ranging from non-vintage blends to single-vintage bottlings, were available during the walk-around tasting. Delectable dishes prepared by the folks at Leitao NYC were the perfect accompaniment.

A highlight of the evening was the People’s Choice competition, where attendees voted for their favorite Madeira cocktail among the specially curated selection. The stakes were high: the winning mixologist would receive a trip to Madeira. Each drink was evaluated and scored by a panel of industry experts. That score was combined with the results of the People’s Choice vote to determine the winner.

The contestants:

Karen Ramirez Cebada (5 Napkin Burger)

Megan Staniford (The Mean Fiddler)

Ann LeCompte (5 Napkin Burger)

Ricardo Mejia (La Devozione)

Aurelio Rojas (Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria)

Adrian Cardenas Monroy (Bocca/Mr. Capri/Dada)

We had such fun going from table to table, tasting the drinks, and arguing amongst ourselves as to which was the best. My favorite was a guava-infused tropical elixir from Ann LeCompte at 5 Napkin Burger. It was fruity and bright, not too sweet, and very pretty to look at. Probably the biggest factor was that it momentarily transported me back to South Florida (which I’m missing very much right now!)

The evening’s grand prize went to Karen Ramirez Cebada, also of 5 Napkin Burger, for her creation, “Passion’s Ember,” which featured Broadbent’s Rainwater Madeira. She explained her inspiration:

I wanted to make a cocktail that represented both Madeira and NYC. Madeira is known for its subtropical climate, while NYC is known for its dramatic seasons, including harsh winters. Cinnamon adds warmth, capturing NYC’s cold-weather spirit, and passionfruit – a prominent fruit in Madeira – enhances the quiet complexity of Broadbent’s Rainwater Madeira. Together these ingredients harmonize beautifully in one glass.

Want to make it for yourself? Here’s what you’ll need:

• Rainwater Madeira
• A hint of Flor de Caña Rum
• Passionfruit purée
• Orange
• Lemon juice
• Cinnamon-infused simple syrup

Our group enjoyed everything we tried. Here were a few of the highlights:

The boulevardier made with D’Oliveira Five-Year-Old Madeira was a classic combo of Widow Jane 10-year-old Bourbon, Aperol, and sweet red vermouth, with a finishing touch of D’Oliveira 5-year-old Madeira. I loved its sweet-bitter contrast on the palate and thought it was straight-up beautiful in the glass. Second to the guava goodness in my book!

Clean and fresh, no surprise its main ingredient was Henriques & Henriques Rainwater Madeira, which is delicate and medium-dry. I believe there was white vermouth as well, plus a sprig of fresh thyme floating on top: a nod to the herbal fresh flavor and minimalist approach to this cocktail. When warmer weather returns to NYC, I’ll have a glass of this, please . . .

Can you imagine a mojito made with Madeira? You definitely should! This was made with Barbeito’s Island Dry Reserva, a blend of 80% Tinta Negra (a red grape) and 20% Sercial. Accented with fresh mint and a slice of dried lime, this was fresh and zesty, a welcome respite from the chilly weather outside.

Signing off from Madeira Wine Experience NYC!

Hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the wines and their history, as well as how versatile they can be at the dinner table. And, of course, how they can add a special something to your cocktail line-up.

Maybe I’ll see you there next year?

P.S. If you missed my previous posts about the Madeira Wine Experience NYC, here are the links:

Part 1: Terroir, Tradition, and Elegance

Part 2: Madeira’s Versatility at the Table Featuring Food and Wine Pairings