SIPSMITH has announced the launch of the Bar of Smithery advocacy programme – a unique platform consisting of educational seminars, interactive workshops and an exciting new bartender competition, designed to inspire and introduce bartenders at all levels, from any background to the world of Sipsmith.
As part of its Bar of Smithery advocacy programme, Sipsmith has also created a new bartender competition called the CYGNUS Cocktail Competition. Sipsmith is encouraging ambitious bartenders from around the UK to create a cocktail representing the concept and style that they would want to adapt into their very own handcrafted gin and bring to life with Sipsmith. Judges will be looking at unusual flavour combinations, innovation techniques (ferment, flavour extraction etc) and their inspiration behind the creation.
Sipsmith is hosting its first ever large-scale competition to showcase the exceptional talents to be found within the on-trade. The CYGNUS cocktail competition has been designed to help upskill, mentor, and reward the finalists, with the winner receiving a profit share, the first of its kind within the industry. Seven finalists will be selected and hosted at the legendary Wimbledon Championships and the overall winner of the competition will become the first bartender to create their own gin in collaboration with Sipsmith.
The seminars and workshops will be hosted by Sipsmith’s Master Distiller and world-renowned spirits historian Jared Brown, and Head of Innovations, Ciarán Russell focussing on topics such as the ‘new’ history of gin and the science of flavour in distillation.
Head of Advocacy at Sipsmith Rich Hamer, said, “We are hugely excited to launch Bar of Smithery and the CYGNUS Cocktail Competition. The opportunity to not only spend a day hosted at the Wimbledon Championships as a finalist, but also collaborate with Sipsmith to create a bespoke liquid and launch it through our website all whilst keeping a percentage of the sales, provides a real stand-out opportunity for bartenders making their mark on the UK”.
Seminars taking place:
- MANCHESTER (31st January), Science & Industry, 12:30-4pm
- EDINBURGH (8th February), Summerhall Drinks Lab,12:30-4pm
To enter, bartenders should attend one of the Bar of Smithery seminars for tips before uploading their creations on Instagram. Be sure to tag @Sipsmith and use the hashtag #CYGNUS2023, as well as emailing submissions of the drink to cygnus@sipsmith.com.
