The Merchant launches new cocktail book with sustainability focus

Belfast’s Merchant Hotel has launched a new cocktail list, Volume V of The Cocktail Book, featuring a selection of 20 cocktails.

Scarfes Bar celebrates pride month with its Scandal Symbol cocktail

This June, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is supporting the LGBTQIA+ community by adding a voluntary £1 on every bill for charity ‘Just Like Us’ when a Scandal Symbol cocktail is ordered from its new menu ‘10’. 

Menu of the Month: Postcards from Swift

The newest menu from its original location in Soho, Postcards from Swift aims to transport guests to their favourite places around the world.

The Connaught Bar team launches content series celebrating their guests

To mark the 15th anniversary of the Connaught Bar, the team led by Agstinoo Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani and Maura Milia, is launching a new, self-produced content series celebrating their hospitality legacy and its main drive, guests.

Artesian Bar launches new menu ‘Ingredients of the Future’

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Artesian Bar, located at The Langham London, is launching a new menu titled ‘Ingredients of the Future’. 

Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge winner announced

Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge, the global bartending competition which aims to celebrate art-inspired aperitivo cocktails, has announced Fabrizio Candino, from Sartoria Cocktail Bar, Italy, as the global winner.

SubAstor: The Mission returns for 2023

SubAstor cocktail bar in Sao Paulo is bringing back The Mission: SubAstor Experience, a three day guest takeover in the city and trip to discover some of the best produce the country has to offer.

The Savoy's American Bar launches new menu

The Savoy’s American Bar has announced a brand-new cocktail menu created by head bartender, Chelsie Bailey and her team. 

Oriole hosts Mexico's Baltra Bar

Cocktail bar Oriole, currently a resident at the mezzanine ‘Albie’ at The Hoxton, Southwark, London, is hosting Mexico City’s Baltra Bar, currently No. 32 in The World’s 50 Best Bars, on Wednesday 31 May and Thursday 1 June for a two-night takeover. 

Takamaka takes Cocktail Spirits in Paris

Takamaka Rum of the Seychelles, is bringing a taste of its island home to Cocktail Spirits, Paris, on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 June with Swedish guest Tjoget.

The Cambridge Public House launches global community plan

The sustainability goals of one Parisian bar’s team as it reduces its carbon footprint and helps others to do the same.

Oslo’s Himkok hosts international cocktail bars

Norwegian cocktail bar Himkok, will be hosting ten international cocktail bars for two nights of takeovers in celebration of Himkok’s eight year anniversary and the 2023 Norse Bar Show, on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 June.

Joseph Cartron announces UK winner of its cocktail competition

Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced the UK winner of its Cartron Unexpected Cocktail Competition, Keoghán Taylor of Kiki Lounge. 

Barro Negro Athens launches first Paloma week in Greece

Barro Negro, the Athens-based tequila and mezcal bar, is marking Paloma Day by launching an inaugural week-long celebration. 

Baccarat Bar launches first new menu since opening

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Baccarat Bar, located on the lower ground floor of Harrods, is launching its first new menu since opening its doors in July 2020. 

The Pinnacle Guide judging criteria available for final feedback

The Pinnacle Guide has published its framework for rewarding excellence in the best bars in the world.

Chairman's Reserve's Spice Lab opens for entries

Chairman’s Reserve Rum has announced the return of its competition: The Chairman’s Spice Lab.

Rayo’s Tito Pin-Perez and Álvaro García on creating North America’s best new bar

Rayo was opened in Mexico City in January 2022 by two ex-pats wanting to champion Mexican ingredients, a little over a year later and the bar placed number 17 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and was named Best New Opening. Drinks International caught up with its founders, Tito Pin-Perez and Álvaro García.

Menu of the month: Diverso by Juliana

At The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, Juliana put its native Ecuador on the cocktail map by becoming only the second bar to win the Best Cocktail Menu Award for Diverso, a menu that champions the produce and people of its country. 

Theo Quinn and Tom Godfrey: Social barflies

­Theo Quinn and Tom Godfrey, alumni of some of the world’s best bars, have ventured out to create their own bar and concept, FOCO in Barcelona, Spain.

Nominations open for the inaugural Bar & Beverage awards

Nominations have officially opened for the inaugural South African Bar & Beverage Awards 2023.

Fortnum & Mason's revamped bar to allow guests to create cocktails

Fortnum & Mason in London is to relaunch its third-floor bar 3’6 on 1 May, and in doing so will throw open the cocktail-making process to its guests.

Italy’s first Lecce Cocktail Week to arrive this May

The South of Italy’s first-ever cocktail week is set to launch in Lecce from 15-21 May, where the city's best bars will team up with drinks brands to showcase the Leccese cocktail scene.

Licor 43 moves to Madrid for Bartenders & Baristas Challenge 2023

For the 2023 edition of its annual Bartenders & Baristas Challenge, Spanish liqueur brand Licor 43 will be taking place in the country’s capital, Madrid.

Mor Koral wins Patrón Perfectionists 2023

Mor Koral, founder of Cocktail Kitchen company in Tel Aviv, has been crowned global winner of the 2023 Patrón Perfectionists.

Exclusive: Jad Ballout and Jade Ismail on the opening of Dead End Paradise Barcelona

Ever since first leading Central Station to the title of Best Bar in the Middle East & Africa at the World’s 50 Best Bars 2016, Jad Ballout has been Lebanon’s top boy putting the city’s cocktail scene on the international stage. 

Scarfes Bar launches new menu to celebrate 10 years

This April, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is launching its new menu ‘10’, in celebration of its 10-year anniversary. 

Adrián Michalčík: the storyteller

Adrián Michalčík believes the allure of a great drink lies in its tale.

Little Red Door to host Europe’s first Native-American-led pop-up

The April, Little Red Door in Paris will play host to the first Native-American-led bar pop-up, in a showcase of the history and flavours of indigenous ingredients from across the Americas.

SubAstor announces new cocktail menu

São Paulo, Brazil's SubAstor, has announced its new cocktail menu ‘Six Biomes of Brazil’. 

Patrón unveils judging line-up ahead of Perfectionists global final

As the Patrón Perfectionists global final event approaches, Patrón tequila has unveiled the panel of judges travelling to Hacienda Patrón, Jalisco, Mexico, from 24 to 30 March 2023.

The Art of Shaking announces TAOS Day Florence

On Wednesday 19 April, The Art of Shaking founders Simone Caporale and Luca Missaglia will host the second TAOS Day in the capital of Tuscany, Florence, an all-day masterclass designed to inspire and educate professional bartenders.

Nobu Bar appoints Sophie Bratt as new bar manager and launches cocktail experience

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square's Nobu Bar has launched a new cocktail experience inspired by Nobu Matsuhisa’s global travels.

Atlas launches new ‘Simple Pleasures’ drinking menu

Singapore’s Atlas bar has launched its 'Simple Pleasures' drinking menu, designed and developed by head bartender Lidiyanah' Yana' K and the Atlas team.

Inception Group launches initiative to support Turkey and Syria

London-based hospitality group, Inception Group, has introduced an initiative to support The Disasters Emergency Committee for Turkey and Syria across all their venues.

Don the Beachcomber makes a comeback

Last year, 23 Restaurant Services acquired and added Don the Beachcomber restaurant brand to its portfolio, now in honour of Donn’s birthday on 22 February, the Tampa, Florida-based hospitality company is moving forward with an expansive growth strategy for its new tiki-themed restaurant brand.

Claudia Cabrera: uniting women

Oli Dodd hears how Claudia Cabrera came to run one of Mexico City’s two female-only staffed bars.

Reflections on the Margarita

A constantly evolving classic, the margarita continues to fire imaginations. Eleanor Yates gets to grips with its history and variations.

Graham’s Port announces return of its Blend Series Cocktail Competition

Graham’s Port has announced the launch of its global competition aimed at bartenders and mixologists for a second year running. 

Connaught Bar launches new menu to mark its 15th birthday

The Connaught Bar has unveiled a new menu, Synergia, to mark the Mayfair institution’s 15th anniversary.

The Schmucks Miami in full swing

Internationally renowned bartenders Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy will be hosting a two-month residency, The Schmucks at Moxy South Beach, to bring their ‘five star dive bar’ concept to life in Miami.

Flor de Caña Sustainable Cocktail Challenge winner Carlos Ferron on sustainability and Panamanian cocktail culture

In a global final held on an island in Lake Nicaragua, Carlos Ferron from Panama won the Flor de Caña’s Sustainable Cocktail Challenge earning a prize of US$10,000 and the title of The World’s Most Sustainable Bartender. Drinks International caught up with the newly-crowned champion.

William Grant & Sons announces the return of its 1887 Collective for 2023

William Grant & Sons UK has celebrated the return of its 1887 Collective for 2023 by welcoming this year’s intake of 26 bartenders.

Himkok introduces new addition to RTD range

Cocktail bar and distillery Himkok has announced the release of the newest addition to its RTD range, Oslo Paloma.

Scarfes Bar launches global bar tour

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London has kicked off its first global bar tour to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Osman Baycan on hospitality, community and creating a new cocktail culture

In 2020 Goose No. 25 opened on the waterfront of Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district, a year later the same team launched the cocktail-focussed restaurant Pigalle Suadiye, two leading lights in the city’s recently-minted but rapidly-evolving cocktail scene. 

Maros Dzurus: Nordic explorer

Shay Waterworth hears how Himkok bar manager Maros Dzurus moved from Slovakia to become the toast of Oslo.

Bartender RTDs excel in premium

Lockdown-led innovation has resulted in a new wave of top-end RTDs that tick many boxes. Shay Waterworth finds the brands that have rapidly become big hits.

Newly renovated The Dorchester hotel opens two new bars

Following a year-long renovation, Mayfair’s Dorchester hotel has unveiled its ground floor complete with a reimagined Vesper Bar and new Artists’ Bar.

Joseph Cartron launches first international cocktail competition

Joseph Cartron is launching its first edition of the "Unexpected Cartron Tour", a cocktail competition for professional bartenders.