Who doesn’t love a nice fruity cocktail?ย
To all you alcohol and mixology aficionados out there, cocktails festivals seem to be the newest trend to indulge in. As usual The Sherp has done your bidding and createdย a list of theย most insane cocktail festivals you could attend.
1. Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans
When: July 19-24
Known as the ‘monster truck of cocktail festivals’, Tales of the Cocktail is the festival we all need in our lives. If trying out liquor from the most renowned places in the world while having a blast is your idea of fun, this is exactly where you need to be. Set in the hooch heaven that we know as New Orleans, the festival welcomes eager patrons of the spirit who are looking to try some really delicious and adventurous cocktails with open arms. The venue includes a gorgeous swimming pool where you can chill and knock back Bloody Marys all day.
(Image Credits: www.jennifermitchellphotography.com)
2. Art of the Cocktail, Canada
When: October 22-23
Distilleries, breweries and spirit brands from anywhere and everywhere are called to showcase their art at this wonderful cocktail festival. Grand tasting, described as ‘fantastically spirited evening’, is the perfect place for you to meet other cocktail connoisseurs, over some seriously awesome mixed brews. Keep an eye out for the famously delicious appetisers that the Tasting is known to have. Other events include seminars and ‘Make Your Own Cocktail’ competitions.
(Image Credits: www.canada.travel)
3. Dublin Cocktail Festival, Dublin
When: TBA
The Dublin festival takes place in 25 locations all throughout Dublin, with each place coming up with their own cocktail to contribute to the diversity of the festival. This leads to some crazy results and also gives the revellers a chance to taste some of the most unique brews. ย Even better is the fact that each cocktail is required to include an Irish drink or brew it in, thus giving it the local touch that makes us love this festival so much.
4. Music City and Spirits Cocktail Festival, Nashville
When: TBA
MCSCF is Nashville’s premier festival celebrating the craft of the cocktail, highlighting award-winning bar programs, craft bartenders, boutique spirits and locally produced craft mixers. It’s the product and catalyst of the insane growth of the Nashville cocktail scene, with guests and vendors increasing in equal measures. This year’s edition was the massive success it has always deserved be, with people streaming in from everywhere to get a taste of the brews.
(Image Credits:
www.musiccityspiritsandcocktail.com)
5. Eat Drink, SF
When: TBA
This annual cocktail festival is a crowd favourite. And just in case you were wondering, this happens to be one of the few festivals that is completely family friendly. Having fun and pigging out on the delicious food and drinks is a priority at Eat Drink. The award winning festival is a jolly affair that just keeps getting better and better. Make sure you go in with an empty stomach, because each stall has tons of free samples, of food and drinks all the same!
(Image Credits: eatdrink-sf.com)
6. Paris of the Plains
When: TBA
There is a reason that Kansas City is known as the Paris of the Plains.ย It’s a five days celebration in the tippler-happy culture of Kansas City, ย filled with cocktail competitions and food stalls that will make want to stay there forever. The festival also has seminars from celebrated cocktail gurus who will help you make the delicious mixes.
(Image Credits: www.popfestkc.com)
7. San Antonio Cocktail festival, Texas
When: January 11-15, 2017
Named one of the best cocktail festivals out there, this Texan gathering is all you need ifย cocktails are the first love of your life.ย Each year this cocktail festival brings together top bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts for educational seminars, guided tastings and cocktail parties. The coolest part of it all is that festival donates all of it’s profits to a non-profit that works to empower under privileged kids! Make merry while helping a cause? Hell yeah!
(Image Credits: imbibemagazine.com)
8. Bourbon Classic, Louisville
When: TBA
If your tastes are quite particular, the Bourbon classic is for you. Exactly as regal as it sounds, the festival is more of a serious event where hundreds of Bourbon enthusiasts will gather in Louisville (the gateway to all the heritage and innovation of Kentuckyโs Bourbon Country), to explore the ‘best of the best’ in the world of Bourbon. From the craftsmanship of distilling to the pure enjoyment of the spirit in its many forms not only do you get to taste some of the best brands, but you also have a chance to meet fellow Bourbon lovers!
(Image Credits: bourbonclassic.com)
9. Miami Rum Rennaisance Festival, Miami
When: TBA
Rum producers from all over the world come to introduce new products, meet with importers and distributers, buyers and retailers, as well as consultants on the distillation, packaging and marketing of rum worldwide.ย Enjoy a grand three-day exhibition of the best rum brands, ย celebrity seminars, workshops and cocktail competitions, the annual RumXP competition and awards is an opportunity to rub shoulders with dignitaries and notable experts. Go ahead, ye tipplers! Hold nothing back and immerse yourself in the experience!
(Image Credits: www.rumrenaissance.com)
10. Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado
When: June 17-19
If fine wine is your thing, book your tickets for this amazing festival ASAP. Aside from being the ultimate for a wine lover, the event is also a food paradise where some of the biggest names in the culinary world serve you some divine food. The Grand Tasting Pavillion is where the the heart of the festival is, with more than 300 brands of wine and food laid out purely for your taking. The focus here is the unabashed luxury of food and the attendees. So give yourself a break and experience quality the right way!
(Image Credits: Allan Zepeda)