Pornstar Martini inventor Douglas Ankrah passes
Douglas Ankrah, the inventor of the Pornstar Martini and creator of Soho’s LAB Bar has sadly passed away.
Archivo to host Jad Ballout in Verona
Aperitivo cocktail bar Archivio, based in Verona, will host bartender Jad Ballout this August to showcase his latest bar concept, Dead End Paradise.
50 Best launches new Best Cocktail Menu award
The World’s 50 Best Bars has created the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award which will be announced at the live awards ceremony on 7 December at London’s Roundhouse.
James Grant wins Diageo World Class 2021
James Grant from Canada has been crowned the 12th winner of Diageo World Class following a first ever virtual event for 2021.
Diageo reveals top three cocktail trends
Digital platforms that can predict your favourite cocktail, sustainable socialising and the rise of at-home mixologists will reshape the drinks industry, according to Diageo.
Praphakorn Konglee crowned Bacardí Legacy champion 2021
Praphakorn Konglee from Thailand’s Find the Locker Room bar has won the Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition 2021 with is drink ‘Out of Sight’.
London Cocktail Week launches one-off Warm-Up festival
For the first time, London Cocktail Week has announced a one-off Warm-Up festival, taking place 05-11 July 2021.
Coupette launches Apples in RTD form
Internationally awarded London bar Coupette has announced the launch of its Apples cocktail in RTD form from Saturday 29 May.
Kahlúa launch new coffee-inspired label design
Kahlúa has unveiled a new label design, inspired by the coffee culture of the brand’s native Veracruz, Mexico.
The global cocktail trends brought on by Covid-19
While the pandemic has been felt universally, the unevenness of lockdown restrictions has lent wildly different experiences to bar owners and cocktail drinkers around the globe.
London Cocktail week 2021 extends to full month of October
London Cocktail Week has announced that the 2021 festival will once again be extended to the full month of October and not host The Cocktail Village.
Canvas launches as premium cocktail delivery service
A new premium cocktail delivery service called Canvas has launched across the UK this February in partnership with a series of top end bartenders.
Indian bars send signature serves to customers' homes
In May 2020, when the lockdown was still at its strictest in India, Sidecar bar in New Delhi received the good news that it was the only Indian bar to have made it to the coveted 50 Best Bars in Asia list.
Ibiza-based Southside Bars offer online cocktail classes
Ibiza-based mobile bar company Southside Bars is now offering online cocktail masterclasses.
Vermouth Day launched to champion the category
Renowned bartender and vermouth producer Giancarlo Mancino has created the world’s first Vermouth Day to celebrate the fortified wine.
Diageo World Class announces first three regional finalists
Three bartenders have surged through to the British regional final of Diageo’s World Class mixology competition after impressing judges with their portable cocktail creations.
Jameson launches Grow Your Own Cocktail challenge
Bartenders can win cash prizes by entering the Grow Your Own Cocktail web challenge launched by Irish whiskey brand Jameson.
Bacardi prepares for a new era of summer socialising
Bacardi has launched a number of initiatives to help bar owners and retailers make the most of a new era of summer socialising.
World of Zing launches 18 luxury pre-made cocktails
Premixed cocktail specialist World of Zing has launched 18 new bottled cocktails and pouches in time for the summer.
The Benevolent invites bartenders to mental health workshops
Following a grant awarded to the charity by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation in July, The Benevolent is inviting bartenders and hospitality workers to their Minds Matter mental health workshops.
Amaretto: Regaining romance
While amaretto may have a long and somewhat idyllic history, it has done little to capture consumers’ imaginations in recent times. But cocktail culture could be key to changing all that, finds Angel Brown
London Cocktail Week – back with a bang
London Cocktail Week organisers have announced that it will be moving The Cocktail Village to a new bigger venue on Brick Lane.
Cocktail trends: Moving with the times
Trends rely on different groups of people to evolve and gain traction. Angel Brown tracks the movement of cocktail fashion
Altia has Eurovision cocktail
Altia, the leading Nordic and Baltic wine and spirits company has come up with Danish cocktail to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest which takes place in Copenhagen tomorrow (May 10).
Nightjar apologises for whale skin cocktail
Nightjar has apologised for featuring a whale skin infused drink on its menu.
Cocktail special
Lucy Britner probes cocktail experts on how to track trends and succeed in competitions
Angostura opens Global Cocktail Challenge 2013
Angostura is on the lookout for bartenders to take part in the national heats of its Global Cocktail Challenge 2013, a competition which culminates in the selection of its global brand ambassador.
Malibu Melon Margarita to make US splash
Pernod Ricard USA will launch Malibu Melon Margarita in May, an addition to its off-trade-focused Malibu Cocktails pre-mixed range.
Cocktail Ingredients & Mixers
It’s not just about the spirit when it comes to making great cocktails. Jaq Bayles celebrates the other essential elements
Bols calls for bartender competition entries
The Bols brand is calling for entries into its Bols Around the World global bartending competition.
Monin tours UK to celebrate centenary
French syrup maker Monin will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year by embarking on a UK cocktail tour.
Malta: Bartenders' Guild elects new president
Malta: The Maltese Bartenders’ Guild (MBG) has appointed a new president. Wine and spirits retailer Joseph Farrugia took the post in October.
Jack Daniel's crowns UK champion
Jack Daniel's has crowned the UK champion of its Tennessee-based Birthday Cocktail Competition 2011.
Lillet launches cocktail comp
French aperitif brand Lillet is looking for entries for its Twisted Vesper Cocktail Competition.
Raconteur's Allan rises to Broker’s Challenge
Mikey Allan of The Raconteur, has triumphed at Broker’s Gin Cocktail Challenge in Edinburgh, beating off an all-Scottish field of bartenders.
Olmeca Altos gets the Estes approval
Pernod Ricard brand Olmeca has announced a partnership with tequila ambassador and Mexican restaurant-bar owner Tomas Estes.
Gin Mare Cocktail Competition UK winners
The UK heat of the Gin Mare cocktail Competition took place this week at the Imbibe show in London.
Now in its twenty third year, Drinks International’s Cocktail Challenge is one of the longest running cocktail competitions in the world. It has built a reputation for its independent, sponsor-free approach. This year we are in search for a new creative and innovative serve that will excite our panel of judges from the World’s 50 Best Bars. The annual competition pits global spirits and liqueur brands’ best cocktails against each other in a blind tasting to nd the Cocktail Challenge Champion for 2016. Brands are invited to submit their recipes into the Aperitif, Long Drinks and A er Dinner categories. Cocktails will be made and judged by bartenders from the World’s 50 Best Bars.
Categories
Aperitif Cocktail - White Spirits
Aperitif Cocktail - Brown Spirits
Aperitif Cocktail - Liqueurs & Specialities
Long Drink Cocktail - White Spirits
Long Drink Cocktail - Brown Spirits
Long Drink Cocktail - Liqueurs & Specialities
After Dinner Cocktail - White Spirit
After Dinner Cocktail - Brown Spirits
After Dinner Cocktail - Liqueurs & Specialities
Click here to enter the 2016 awards
For enquiries contact:
Rick Beaumont on +44 (0) 1293 558130 email rick.beaumont@drinksint.com
Or
Jo Morley on +44 (0) 1293 590044 email jo.morley@drinksint.com
Click below to see the archive of previous winners.
Cocktail Challenge results revealed
Drinks International has announced the category winners of the 18th annual Cocktail Challenge.
Bacardi crowns global cocktail champion
Bacardi has crowned the winner of the first Superior Rum Global Legacy Cocktail Competition, in Barcelona.
Bartenders do duel for No. 209 Gin crown
Two of London’s bartenders drew swords in San Francisco in the final of the No. 209 Gin Duel.
42 Below announces cocktail winners
Team Italy has won the 2011 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.
Angostura crowns cocktail champion
Angostura has crowned the winner of its 2011 Global Cocktail Challenge. Andy Griffiths from Cookie bar in Melbourne, Australia, took home the US$10,000 prize as well as a one year brand ambassadorship.
Disaronno crowns Mixing Star champion
Amaretto brand Disaronno has hosted the final of its first Mixing Star cocktail competition in London.
Jack Daniel’s holds fourth ‘birthday’ cocktail competition
Jack Daniel’s celebrated the 160th birthday of its founder this month, with the fourth edition of its UK cocktail competition.
Drambuie creates royal cocktail
Whisky liqueur brand Drambuie has created a cocktail to celebrate the announcement of Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton.
Marie Brizard holds International Bartender Seminar
The Marie Brizard Belvédère Group hosted 43 bartenders from 27 countries at the 27th International Bartender Seminar (IBS).
London Cocktail Week begins
The inaugural London Cocktail Week (LCW) has begun - a seven-day event of shows, pop-up bars, parties, classes and tastings.