Cirencester is gearing up for its annual Summer Cocktail Competition, set to shake things up on World Cocktail Day.
This coming Monday, 12th May, will see six of the region’s most talented bartenders and mixologists go head-to-head in a spirited contest to determine who has the perfect blend to be crowned “King Cocktail 2025”.
Last year’s champion, Ryan Walters from Téatro Bar and Restaurant, secured the coveted title for the second consecutive year in 2024 with his “Pineapple Blanco”. He also triumphed in the mocktail round with a “Pomegranate Pineapple”. Despite his previous victories on home turf at Téatro, Ryan won’t be defending his title this year. Instead, the honour falls to Téatro’s Tom Fisher.
Tom will once again face stiff competition from James Stone of 17 Black Cocktail and Wine Bar, alongside some exciting newcomers. These include Kordian Smereczanski from Sasa Indian Kitchen and Bar in Crudwell, Will Cleaver of Henry’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Leo Barotini from The Bakers Arms in Broad Campden, and Erin Evans of Burleigh Court, Stroud, who makes history as the event’s first female competitor.
World Cocktail Day is a global celebration of the art of the cocktail, marking the anniversary of the first ever definition of a cocktail, published on 13th May 1806. The New York tabloid, The Balance and Columbian Repository, famously described a cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters”.
Foyez Rahman of Sasa’s anticipates a fierce competition, stating: “This could get brutal, there are some serious competitors out there, but I am confident my man Kordian will come out on top.”
Erin from Burleigh Court, who has been at the establishment for three years, believes the fresh, natural produce from the Burleigh gardens will give her the edge in the quest for the coveted trophy. “We have some great herbs as well as fruits here that I think will be of benefit in both the cocktail and mocktail rounds,” she added.
