Global Shakers at Cocktail finals!

The Best Cocktail Experience Live Event in the Irish Restaurant Awards took place in Dublin Bar Academy last night. The theme of the cocktail competition this year is 'A Taste of Ireland with a Global Twist', which saw entrants create an original cocktail that doesn’t already exist on their menu. The competition is sponsored by Coca-Cola HBC.
 
Entrants competed in heats to impress the judges with their original cocktail creations. The cocktail had to contain one tonic from the 1783 Schweppes range and a minimum of one premium spirit from the Coca-Cola HBC portfolio.
 
Entrants were asked to create a drink that was “fresh and vibrant” and based around a global destination, drawing on the location, culture, cuisine and climate, and blend it with an element from Irish culture. Entrants also had to explain their vision for the concept and how they approached their ingredients, vessels, tools and the drinking experience.
 
Entrants could include elements in their drink such as:
•    Irish culture and the culture of another global destination
•    Popular cuisine from both Ireland and your chosen global destination
•    Popular culture from both locations including music, film, sport, art, design and literature
•    Unique landscapes and landmarks to one or both of the destinations
 
The cocktails will be judged on taste, presentation and aroma, as well as the technical experience of the bartender.
 
Competitors from Leinster were:
•    The K Club Vintage Crop Cocktail Bar, Kildare
•    Daata Greystones, Wicklow
•    Butcher Restaurant, Kilkenny
•    Le Bon Crubeen, Dublin
•    Exchequer Wine Bar, Dublin
•    Yarn Pizza and Booze, Dublin
•    Chapter One, Dublin
•    10 Fleet Street Restaurant and Bar
•    Candlelight Bar, Siam Thai (Malahide) Dublin
•    Bart’s, Dublin
•    Brasserie at the Marker Hotel, Dublin
•    Opium, Dublin
•    The Old Spot, Dublin
•    The Westbury Hotel, Dublin
•    The Liquor Lounge, Dublin
•    The Mint Bar, Dublin
•    Urban Brewing, Dublin
•    Bar No. 23 at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
•    Old Street Restaurant Malahide, Dublin
•    The Ivy Dawson Street, Dublin
•    Candlelight Bar at Siam Thai, Dundrum
•    Shakers and Vine, Dublin
•    Ukiyo, Dublin
•    The Blind Pig, Dublin
•    https://www.cafeenseine.ie/
•    9 Below, Dublin
•    The Exchequer, Dublin

 

Munster
•    The Cocktail Bar at The River Lee, Cork
•    The Montenotte Hotel, Cork
•    The Cornstore, Cork
•    Barcadia, Cork
•    360 Cookhouse, Waterford
•    Tack Room at Adare Manor, Limerick
•    The Cornstore, Limerick
•    Café Du Parc, Kerry
•    An Droichead Beag, Kerry
 
Connaught
•    1520 Bar, Galway
•    Twelve Hotel, Galway
•    Tribeton, Galway
•    Hyde Bar, Galway
•    Waterfront Hotel, Sligo
 
Ulster
•    Browns in Town, Derry
•    The House Gastro, Donegal
•    Bellinis Newry,
•    People’s Restaurant, Cavan
•    The Glensway Tavern, Antrim
•    Foyle Hotel, Donegal

UPDATE: The Restaurants Association of Ireland has announced the shortlist for Best Cocktail Experience in the Irish Restaurant Awards.

•    Adrian McFadden - The Sidecar Bar at The Westbury Hotel
•    Darren Geraghty - Candlelight Bar @ Siam Thai Restaurant Dundrum
•    Skirmantas Lelys - Tack Room at Adare Manor
•    Henrik Benndorf – Café en Seine - •www.cafeenseine.ie
•    Andrew Ennis - The Blind Pig
•    Steven Hession - 9 Below
•    Daniel Hayes - Bar No.23 (The Merrion Hotel)
•    Dave Taylor - The Exchequer Dublin 2
•    Jamie Heighton - Hyde Bar Galway
•    Simon King - Twelve Hotel Barna