It’s no secret that the Irish drinks industry is booming at the moment, whether it's craft beer, artisan gin or Irish whiskey. However, the platform for other Irish craft spirits, in particular cream liqueurs and poitins, is widening too. So much so, that according to Bord Bia’s Export Performance & Prospects Report 2018-2019, Irish alcoholic drink exports were worth €1.25bn in 2018 alone.
Consumers are well and truly aligned with this growth in craft spirits and drinks, and unusual, artisan beverages have never been so popular. In doing so, the consumer’s drinks repertoire in Ireland has changed dramatically in recent years, with more spirits and cocktails being consumed. Premiumisation and heritage are leading the way; with customers being more intrigued about the story behind a brand, how it is crafted, and who creates it.
In light of this increasing demand, the Celtic Whiskey Shop (based in the heart of Dublin 2) - Ireland's whiskey experts and proud event organisers of Whiskey Live Dublin & Gin Experience Dublin - have decided to create a new event, Dublin Drinks Mixer.
Dublin Drinks Mixer will take place at the National Convention Centre, Dublin 1, on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April, with one session on the Friday (6pm - 9.30pm), and two sessions on the Saturday (1pm - 4.30pm and 5.30pm - 9pm). Over 100 different brands will be in attendance at Ireland's largest gin, spirits and cocktail event alongside delicious food pairings from some of Ireland's best food producers, innovative master classes from artisanal brands and interactive cocktail competitions.
A diverse range of products will be represented at the event, from gins to liqueurs, and rums to mezcals, as well as craft beer, vermouth and other spirits. Cocktail competitions will take pride of place to showcase these wonderful drinks and coffee will also play a prominent role at the show, with an Irish coffee demonstration space.
Industry professionals from all over Ireland will have a pivotal role at the event in the aforementioned cocktail competitions. Dublin Drinks Mixer will be running a series of cocktail competitions over the two days for renowned bartenders and mixologists to take part. Bartenders will be entered into various different cocktail competitions — whiskey, gin, and low/no alcohol competition —by the brands exhibiting at the event, which will then be judged by three industry experts, one of which will be Jack McGarry — award-winning bartender and co-owner of the renowned Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York. The winner of each competition, will win a prize up to the value of €750. Attendees will have the opportunity to observe the contests and sample an eclectic range of bespoke cocktails.
Managing director of Celtic Whiskey Shop & Wines on the Green, Alistair Alpine says; “We want to showcase and promote the very best of crafts spirits from Ireland and across the globe under one roof and bring these much-loved brands a lot closer to the consumer and members of the trade.”
Dublin Drinks Mixer will enable consumers and trade to meet the faces behind long established and new arrivals to the drinks industry. This event will be unlike any other in Ireland, a true microcosm of the drinks industry and the perfect place to spot new trends.
A minimum of €10 from every ticket will be donated to the event's charity partner DEBRA Ireland along with money raised from a raffle. Tickets to this event are €40, excluding booking fee, and available from dublindrinksmixer.com, or €40 from the Celtic Whiskey Shop on Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
Masterclass tickets will also be available from 10th February.
For more information, visit dublindrinksmixer.com