This month sees the return of Diageo’s World Class GB Cocktail Festival, promising two weeks of ‘expertly crafted, limited-edition’ cocktail menus at select bars across the country.
Built around those bartenders who have been named within the Top 100 finalists of Diageo World Class 2025, the festival aims to highlight local bar scenes and ‘elevate cocktail culture nationwide’.
Running from 14th to 27th April, across 23 UK cities, each bar taking part will serve its own menu of three limited-edition cocktails, created especially for the festival, and inspired by their local community – and utilising a Diageo product.
Aberdeen is being represented by Fraser Haig (Revolución de Cuba Aberdeen); Marek Brzozowski (Bartenders Lounge) and Gavin Sharp (The Old Workshop).
Aberdonian cocktails devised especially for World Class and the World Class Cocktail Festival include:
- Fraser’s ‘Prepare Yourself’, using The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, green apple syrup and Schweppes soda, served on a board separately for the guest to mix and make themselves;
- Marek’s ‘Tesknota’, meaning nostalgia in Polish, including The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, chocolate hazelnut creme washed vermouth blend, clarified milk syrup and two dashes of toasted bread tincture;
- Gavin’s ‘Guilty Pleasure’, combining The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, hyper rhubarb cordial and two dashes of Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters.
Edinburgh’s contingent are Jack Smith (Gleneagles Townhouse); Ewan Robertson and Caolan Maxwell (Chancho Agaveria); Mateusz Urbanski (The Raeburn); Jake Harris (Old Pal); Fowwaz Ansari and Fabrizio Cioffi (Bittersweet); Cameron Mowat and Carrie Smith (Panda And Sons); Andy Galloway and Sean Cavanagh (Hey Palu): and Akileswar Boya (The Court at the Caledonian).
Edinburgh’s bespoke menu of limited edition cocktails will include:
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Jack’s ‘Princess Peach’, using Singleton 12, tangy lacto-fermented peach, sweet Rinquinquin, refreshing soda, and aromatic vanilla foam;
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Mateusz ‘Pomelona’ blending Don Julio Reposado, heather honey, pomelo, and homemade oolong cream soda;
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Fowwaz ‘Lala Swizzle’ blending Dufftown 12-inspired Karachi Falernum, makai gel, and crushed ice.
The limited edition cocktails on offer will include:
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Kim’s ‘A Kaleidoscope of Consciousness’ which combines The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, apricot and toasted almond milk tea punch and dash Saline;
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Callum’s ‘Rock of Solitude’, using The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, beech leaf noyeux, pandan syrup, 1 dash of black walnut bitters and 1 dash of Petricor;
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Gavin’s ‘Scottish Summer’, blending The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, carrot honey, orange oat cream.
Diageo GB’s advocacy manager Jo Last said: “It’s time to get out and support your local bars! We have 100 passionate bartenders showcasing their unique talents in some of the most awarded bars across the country. Let’s show them all some support.”
The Diageo World Class Competition is recognised as a global showcase of bartending excellence, celebrating creativity, hospitality, and cocktail culture. Many of the UK’s finest cocktail bars have earned a spot in its Top 100 list and will mark the occasion by serving exclusive Editor’s Menus as part of the World Class Cocktail Festival.
