The West Hartford-based Ron Foley Foundation is holding the second annual competition to raise funds and awareness during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

“Light or Splendor” is a signature purple cocktail at Zohara in support of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

Bars throughout Connecticut have been serving up purple drinks all month – signature purple cocktails in support of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

The “Battle of the Bars,” hosted by Chicago Sam’s Cromwell and Connecticut Distributors Inc., has been underway since Nov. 1, and runs through Nov. 30. The restaurant or bar that sells the most of their special purple cocktail will earn the 2022 Ron Foley Cup, during a celebration on Dec. 8 at Chicago Sam’s.

Many of the 14 participants in the battle are located in West Hartford, including Fleming’s Steakhouse, The Place 2 Be, Rosa Mexicano, and Zohara. California Pizza Kitchen at Westfarms, as well as Fork and Fire just over the line in Farmington, are also competing.

Margarita Violeta is the signature cocktail at California Pizza Kitchen. Courtesy photo

“CPK is honored to be included in this year’s Ron Foley Foundation’s Battle of the Bars competition,” said Dawn Kinoshita, general manager of California Pizza Kitchen at Westfarms. “[We are] looking for support from our loyal CPKers to raise money for pancreatic cancer awareness in our community.”

CPK’s signature purple cocktail, the Margarita Violeta, is made with milagros, monin lavender syrup, triple sec, fresh lime and a splash of sour. The garnish is half salt rim and lime wheel.

“We are so pleased to be able to assist the Ron Foley Foundation in their fight against pancreatic cancer and participate in the Battle of the Bars this year,” said Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen General Manager Kara Rosado. “We are extremely grateful and proud to be part of such a supportive community.”

Zohara’s specialty purple cocktail is called “Light or Splendor,” The Place 2 Be is serving up a blueberry margarita adorned with a purple popsicle and a rubber duck, and Fleming’s specialty cocktail is a “Lavender Gin Sour.”

The rules for Battle of the Bars require the signature drink to be a shade of purple, and the base spirit must be one of the following: Reyka Vodka, Sailor Jerry Rum, Hendrick’s Gin, Milagro Tequila, or Glenfiddich Scotch.

“This friendly bar competition began last year between Artisan West Hartford and Artisan Southport,” Community Ambassador Tony Sisti said, and raised more than $8,000 for the Ron Foley Foundation.

Those who purchase one of the purple cocktails are invited to tag the Ron Foley Foundation on social media (@RonsRun on Facebook and @ronfoleyfoundation on Instagram) for a chance to win two tickets to the nonprofits signature Kentucky Derby gala in May.

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