More than 100 supporters raised a glass and over $5,700 to aid addiction awareness at the first "Mocktail" Tasting fundraiser on May 13, 2021 at Real Art Ways in Hartford. Nonprofit organization A Promise to Jordan hosted the recovery-friendly event that challenged restaurateurs and bar owners from across the state to show off their best non-alcoholic cocktails or appetizers and compete to be named the best.
Of the nine competitors who entered to showcase their mixology mastery, the winners are:
Best Presentation - Mocktail: BetterRhodes, "Raspberry Basil Promise"
Best Presentation - Appetizer: Soma Grille, "Chicken Canapes"
Most Creative Use of Ingredients-Mocktail: Keith Barile, "Spicy Cinnamon Shirley"
Most Creative use of Ingredients-Appetizer: Flora West Hartford, "Fruit and Nut Salumi"
Best Overall Appetizer: Rouxct, "Jambalaya"
Best Overall Mocktail: Flora West Hartford, "Pink Panther"
"A simple 'thank you' seems so inadequate to express our deep gratitude to everyone who made our first annual Mocktail Tasting such a HUGE success!" said Lisa Gray, Founder and Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan (APTJ). "We appreciate the generosity of our many sponsors like Aware Recovery Care and Wayfinder Consulting, as well as all of the attendees, vendors, and volunteers."
Proceeds benefit A Promise To Jordan, an organization that is dedicated to raising awareness about substance abuse, eliminating the stigma of addiction, assisting people in accessing quality care, and giving hope to those struggling with substance use disorders and their families that recovery is possible. Gray founded A Promise to Jordan after losing her then 24-year-old son, Jordan Arakelian, to an accidental overdose in 2018.
The weather was ideal for guests to enjoy a beautiful night outdoors at the art gallery in Hartford, to taste the mocktails and appetizers, partake of the silent auction and raffles, and attend one of the first social gatherings of the season.
"These funds enable our organization to continue our mission to erase the stigma of substance use and mental health disorders, help people access quality care, and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with substance use disorders and their families. We can't wait to see everyone next year!" exclaimed Gray.
About A Promise to Jordan
A Promise to Jordan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit named for Jordan Arakelian who died from an accidental opioid overdose on June 30, 2018 at the age of 24. Founded by his mother, Lisa Gray, the mission of A Promise to Jordan is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma of addiction, assist people in accessing quality care and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with substance use disorders and their loved ones. Visit apromisetojordan.org for information and resources, or call (860) 390-1391.
PHOTO: from left: Dan Millstein, President of the Board of Directors for A Promise to Jordan; Todd Atcherson, Director; and Lisa Gray, Founder and Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan, at the non-profit organization's first Mocktail Tasting fundraiser on May 13, 2021 at Real Art Ways in Hartford. The event earned more than $5,700 to raise awareness about substance use disorders. Photo Credit: Alliances By Alisa Media Relations.