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Setting the Bar with Cocktails in the City

This year’s Cocktails in the City is on a mission to celebrate the illustrious history of the cocktail by shining a spotlight squarely on the craftsmanship of the modern-day bartender

Welcoming over 40,000 guests over the last five years and shaking up over 150,000 cocktails in the process, Cocktails in the City has proven itself to be the nation’s leading cocktail festival. 

For the second year running, Andrew Scutts is turning his sights to Liverpool’s burgeoning bar scene: “Liverpool has a world-class cocktail scene in part driven by the rise in bartender owned venues. From the Baltic Triangle to Ropewalks in just a few short sips we bring all that talent together under one roof to celebrate the skill of the bartender”. 

Not only will visitors have the chance to get shoulder-to-shoulder with the city’s most skilled bartenders, they will also get to enjoy a range of all-new signature serves. From zero waste drinks to Nitro Espresso Martinis, the ethos of the event is to try something new, to discover something different, and appreciate the skill behind it all. 

According to John Ennis, owner of Graffiti Spirits Group “It’s really important that we showcase the best of the city’s bars to a wider audience.” He goes on: “The top bartenders are real professionals: they study, practice and compete all over the world and it’s great to see the profession being celebrated in this way.” John will also be re-launching the city’s best-loved coffee shop, Bold Street Coffee at the event. 

Chris Edwards owner of Filter + Fox and Belzan believes that tastes in the city are changing, “We launched Filter + Fox with a focus on the aperitivo, heavy on vermouths and our guests are very open to new flavour combinations on the recommendation of well-trained bartenders.” 

Likewise, with Liverpool enjoying its own golden age of cocktails, Danny Murphy (Berry & Rye, Furnival’s Well and, most recently, The Royal Institution) feels the city has really developed since his time as a bartender: “When I was learning my trade – working in great bars we would only be making a dozen cocktails a night. Now there are sites all over the city doing 70 – 80% trade on cocktails”  

The evolution of the Liverpool bartending scene has been rapid and unstoppable. Cocktails in the City gives the public the opportunity to slow things down and appreciate exactly what it is that sets the city apart from its peers. It’s a masterclass in the craft, and history in the making.


5 things not to be missed at this years CitC

The Five Dollar Shake, Created by Santa Chupitos
Is this Liverpool’s most popular cocktail? Chambord, vodka, blueberry jam and a lot of milk and cream the guys at SC will be shaking up their 100,000th Five Dollar Shake at CITC. Be that person and win prizes galore.

The Victorian 47, Created by Furnival’s Well
Enjoy this Dickensian twist on the classic champagne cocktail The French 75. Monkey 47 Gin shaken up with fino sherry, fresh lemon, a dash of absinthe and topped with prosecco. Fresh, light with a lingering anise finish.

Tasting Rooms Journey hosted by 31Dover.com
Immerse yourself in a series of three unique tasting experiences moving from room to room to discover the people, products, flavours and aromas driving the craft spirits revolution. Think speed dating meets spirits masterclass.

Espresso martini masterclasses, Hosted by Tia Maria + The Coffee Project Enjoy a thirty-minute intimate and interactive session to make and perfect your own espresso martini under the expert supervision of barista, bartender and brand ambassador Stephanie Rainbow. 

The Botanists Foraging Table, Hosted by The Botanist
Grab a G&T and take a seat at The Botanists foraging table for an interactive session exploring the wild herbs and aromatics from the isle of Islay that makes The Botanist so unique with Abigail Clephane. 

Cocktails in the City will be showcasing the city’s top talents in the stunning St George’s Hall on October 12th – 13th.