Revelers took their cue from the colonial menus of Alexandrias early days at Gadsbys Tavern Saturday night, sipping on traditional and some nontraditional rum punch.
    
For the seventh year running, competitors from the Port City and the surrounding region tried their hand at mixing the finest version of early Americas tavern staple. Drinks included Jackson 20s chamomile-inspired punch, flavored with Bacardi Select, and Dogfish Heads tropical variant, mixed with the brewerys homemade rum. 
    
And for the adventurous, Cornell Coulon of Basikneads Catering served a blueberry rum punch colored with rosemary, lavender and Basil.
    
This year I tried to do something a little different, Coulon said. I didnt grow up drinking rum punch, so I decided to experiment a little I thought of [using] things that would grow together in a garden.
    
Bacardi, Fireflies and Bittersweet Catering also participated in the annual competition. Dogfish Head’s “Tropic Thunder” eventually came away with first prize, as voted by participants. It’s the third time they’ve won the award since the competition began.
    
Proceeds from the event went to the historic taverns ice well renovation project. Along with luxury living accommodations and fine dining, owner and proprietor John Gadsby was well known for selling ice throughout the summer, officials said.