Roll up, roll up, the World Class Cocktail Festival is in town and it’s happening in a bar near you.
What is the World Class Cocktail Festival?
Well, friends, allow us to enlighten you… You don’t need to have your fingers on speed dial to secure tickets, neither do you have to pay extortionate prices to gain access, this festival is open to everyone over the legal drinking age and it’s an amazing opportunity to try a selection of new and imaginative cocktails from some of the best bartenders in Great Britain.
It’s all part of the World Class Cocktail Competition, one of the longest running, most respected cocktail competitions in the world. To put it in context, each year several hundred bartenders in the country submit their recipes in the hope that their skills will make the World Class team sit up and take notice. It’s not just about coming up with a delicious drink though – the entries have to hero one of three specified products, be original and have a good story behind its creation. Obviously, not everyone can make the cut but for those who do, it’s a very big deal indeed.
Right now that list has been whittled down to the Top 100 competitors. While the World Class team are busily putting in the hours, travelling from north to south, east to west, visiting each of the bars (yes, all 100 of them!) to sample the long-listed recipes, judging on texture, taste, storytelling and the like, you can put the cocktails to the taste test too.
Obviously, we’re not suggesting that you visit every single bar – even the World Class team are divvying up the 21 cities on the list between them. No, this is your opportunity to sample a limited-edition selection of competition level drinks at venues in your vicinity, or to have on your radar if you’re travelling further afield.
And there are plenty amazing cocktails to choose from, all delightfully different and all based on three amazing products: either The Singleton of Dufftown 12-Year-Old Single Malt whisky, Tanqueray No. TEN gin or for those who love great tasting drinks sans alcohol, there are an array of non-alcoholic options featuring Seedlip as the star of the glass.
How does it work?
Simple. All you have to do is visit the World Class Cocktail Festival website to find out where the bartenders who have made it on to the World Class Top 100 list are located. And as the bars are spread from Cardiff to Chester, Leeds to London, Newcastle to Nottingham and a whole lot of cities (and islands – we’re looking at you Isle of Man), you’re bound to find someone flying the flag for your ‘hood.
Once at your chosen venue, ask for the limited-edition World Class Festival menu. You can even ask if the featured Top 100 bartender is on duty. If they are, they’ll be only to happy to tend to you, talking you through the selection of up to three drinks on offer – all of which have been devised for the festival and never available before. If you like what you taste, why not share your photos on social media? You could even win a prize (more to follow). And be sure to check back next month when the Top 20 are announced to see if your favourite drink made the cut.
The World Class Cocktail Festival runs until April 30th, 2024. For details of participating bars, see the World Class Cocktail Festival website.
Fancy levelling up your bartending skills at home?
If you’re in or around central London, make it your business to sign up for one of the fun and interactive Flavour Masterclasses taking place at the World Class Festival hub, The Bar at Home.
Not only are they completely free of charge (fabulous!), you’ll also receive a complimentary World Class cocktail to enjoy after the session. And there’s more… Everyone who attends can take advantage of 15% off bottles of The Singleton of Dufftown 12-Year-Old Single Malt whisky, Seedlip Spice 94 and Tanqueray No. TEN gin, as well of complimentary engraving on aforementioned bottles, plus gift with purchase to make cocktails at home (joy!) Find out more at The Bar at Home.
The World Class Cocktail Festival runs until April 30th, 2024. For details of participating bars, see the World Class Cocktail Festival website.
The post Things to do in April: check out the World Class Cocktail Festival first appeared on The Cocktail Lovers.