When "Cocktail Culture" opens at the RISD Museum on April 15, the exhibit will have its own a signature drink - The Benefit Dram from Willa VanNostrand of E & O Tap.

Her drink was made with rum, natural hone, lime juice, vermouth and Peychaud bitters.

Her name was called by Eric Taylor, general manager of Bottles, the wine shop in Providence which sponsored the contest. She wins $1,000 and her drink will be served at the opening night party for "Cocktail Culture" an exhbit at the RISD Museum on April 14.

Five finalists made their drinks a voting crowd at Local 121 and for judges Derek Wagner, of Nicks on Broadway, Chris Amirault of egullet and Edible Rhody Publisher John Schenck.

Kristen O'Connell of Lighthouse Bar at Twin River Casino came in second for her lovely "Blue Violet" Champagne cocktail inspired by the state flower of Rhode Island.

The other finalists were Jesse Hedberg of Cook & Brown for "The Atwellsian," Nevin Xavier of Hemenway's Seafood Grille & Oyster Bar for "The Rhody Pirate" and
Melissa Benevides of The Casual Inn Restaurant in Bristol for the "Lil' Caw Fee Mah Tini."

Some 45 Rhode Island bartenders took on the challenge to craft a cocktail and submitted drink recipes.