Above: Wesley Pickering from Inkorporate
We’ve gone for a double-header with issue 23 of The Cocktail Lovers Magazine. The main part zones in on the specially commissioned vessels and trollies, fantastical venues, arty menus and thought-provoking serves that have become requisite garnishes to our drinks – in other words, those carefully curated experiences seen everywhere from one-of-a-kind pop-ups to swanky five-star hotels.
Adventures in drinks from Bompas & Parr. © Art Experiment Garage CCC 2013. Dennis Sinyakov
We talk to four experience makers about curating those ‘wow’ factor moments, Ben Norum checks out what’s getting Instagrammers all a-flutter in the bars and who better than former bartender, author and master of Cocktails in the Country gaz regan to compile a top 10 drinks experiences to try before you die? The lol-making, wittily named, attention grabbing serves from the Cocktail Trading Company come under the spotlight, we showcase a few whiskies that are defying convention, pick out pieces of kit to elevate your drinking experiences at home and for those who thought all of this experiential malarkey is something new, Professor Charles Spence traces it all back to the Futurists from the 1930s.
Instaspam, an apple brandy, morello cherry, hazelnut liqueur, orange blossom and lemon juice concoction by the Cocktail Trading Company
The second part has a distinctly Scottish flavour. That’s down to Tales of the Cocktail on Tour, taking up residence in Edinburgh from 1st-5th April. As well as including listings of all of the seminars, Dynamic Duos and special events taking place in the action-packed programme, we have an interview with Tales of the Cocktail mastermind Ann Tuennerman, plus reviews of the top bars, details of where to stock up on whisky (come on, it’s a must), restaurant choices and an Edinburgh Connections feature where we highlight the impressive roll call of brand ambassadors, bar owners, spirit consultants and professionals who have their roots in the city – it’s quite a list…
A few Edinburgh faces from back in the day
If you’re visiting Tales of the Cocktail on Tour, look out for The Cocktail Lovers Magazine in Edinburgh Airport and participating bars including Bramble, Lucky Liquor Co, Panda & Sons, The Voyage of Buck and The Devil’s Advocate, as well as the main hub at The Assembly Rooms. If you’re not Edinburgh bound and you can’t find it in your local bar, airline lounge, member’s club, in the media stand at your office or with the concierge at your London hotel, don’t fret, you can get it by subscribing here. (The magazine is free, you just pay for postage and packaging.)
For full details of Tales of the Cocktail on Tour, please check the website here.
