COCKTAIL bars? We stay loyal to Science and Industry, admire the work of Wood & Company, welcome the arrival of Superstition in the Northern Quarter but our entrenched favourite has to be Speak In Code on Jackson’s Row.
It seems that global bartender gurus share our opinion. SIC founder Nathan Larkin, a man on a mixological mission, will battle it out in the International Caorunn Gin Cocktail Competition in New York on July 31.
Along with four other regional UK finalists he made it through to this celebration of the Scottish premium gin’s 10th anniversary, Manc Nathan triumphing in our local final at Arcane Bar.
Caorunn invited participants across the UK and the US to share a personally curated cocktail online that celebrates the Scottish heritage of Caorunn Gin and embraces the creative influence of American Culture.
Nathan said his winning cocktail, ‘We the Hope’, was inspired by the Celts' historical love and understanding of nature. To create it he foraged for dandelion flowers which he used to create his own fermented honey. He noted that his cocktail is a stirred down drink which includes a collection of spices to enhance the honey, seaweed salt and Caorunn.
New York has always been an inspiration for Nathan, a bartender for over nine years.
“The very first book I read on mixology and on owning a bar was by Death & Co. (a coveted NYC bar). I was lucky enough to spend an hour behind the bar there years ago, which began my realisation that I could achieve my own goals and dreams.”
One winner will be chosen from the UK and the US with both receiving an international prize – the opportunity to switch countries and to work in one of the coolest bars in their respective countries to experience American and British culture at their finest.
The UK winner will also receive the honour of seeing their 10 Year Switch cocktail named as Caorunn’s signature serve in bars across the UK.
Speak in Code, 7 Jackson’s Row Manchester M2 5ND Tel: 07767 658690.