Entries are open now for Northern Restaurant & Bar’s annual cocktail competition, sponsored by Double Dutch Drinks, with the chance to win a VIP visit to Holland.

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Competitors are being asked to submit two unique drinks, a ‘Summer Style’ and a ‘Winter Style’, containing any of the current Double Dutch Drinks range, and adding inspiration of the sparkling mixers Dutch heritage.

All entries must be submitted online by midnight on Wednesday 28 February 2018.

Expressions available to use include both Cucumber & Watermelon and Basil & Pomegranate soda waters, Indian and Skinny tonic, Cranberry & Ginger tonic, and Ginger Beer. Any base spirit is encouraged to be experimented with to create two new Double Dutch signature serves!

Four finalists, chosen by a blind judging panel of spirit experts, will be notified on 12 March 2018 and invited to the final of the competition at NRB18 in Manchester on Wednesday 21 March at 15:15. The competition is hosted by Dave Marsland aka Drinks Enthusiast and Double Dutch Drinks.

The winner and a guest will visit Amsterdam in 2018 as the guest of Double Dutch and visiting the city’s Double Dutch venues for VIP signature serves.

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Double Dutch Drinks – “The Perfect Twin for your Spirit”

Awarded Virgin Foodpreneur by Sir Richard Branson for most creative, inspiring and disruptive F&B start-up in the UK and Best Premium Adult Soft Drink at the World Beverage Innovation Awards in 2016, Double Dutch offer unique flavours that revolutionise the world of beverages.

Raised in the Netherlands, Double Dutch’s twin founders, Joyce and Raissa have a natural affinity with superlative drinks and excellent blendings. Their love affair turned to frustration.

While the world’s choice of spirits has continued to grow, mixers and sodas remained bland, resulting in the Double Dutch love affair that unites great spirits with complementary mixers that enliven and enhance.

Rules:

  • A maximum of 5 ingredients allowed, including garnish and Double Dutch expression, with home-made ingredients not allowed.
  • A maximum time limit of 10 minutes on the Drinks Live stage will be given in which the cocktail will be prepped and re-created for the esteemed judging panel.
  • Double Dutch Drinks expressions and basic bar equipment will be supplied at the final, with all other ingredients, garnishes and glassware to be provided by the competitor. No electrical equipment can be used on stage.
  • Judges will be scoring for knowledge on the Double Dutch Drinks brand, taking in the influence of the recipe idea, the appearance and presentation of the drink, the aroma of the cocktail and finally flavour profile.

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The show’s Spirit Room is the largest curated selection of spirit brands on show outside London. As well as the Double Dutch Drinks cocktail competition, the Drinks Live theatre features a line-up of tutored tastings and masterclasses from some of the best names in the business.

Free trade only tickets are available now at northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk/tickets

WHO’S WHO…

Northern Restaurant & Bar 2018:

Northern Restaurant & Bar is the North’s hospitality exhibition. Returning to Manchester Central on 20 & 21 March, NRB18 hosts 275 exhibitors providing every product and service a hospitality business needs, delivers 65 exciting live food & drink demos, and brings the entire Northern hospitality industry together for two days of networking, discovery and inspiration.

Drinks Enthusiast:

Dave Marsland has been working as the Drinks Enthusiast since 2011 in Manchester, a brand agency that includes clients such as Langley’s, Warner Edwards, Emporia Brands, Double Dutch Drinks and Rhum St Barth. He also owns specialist retailer Riddles Emporium in Altrincham, Manchester Rum Festival and pop-up bar specialist Bassano Events Ltd.

For more information on Dave Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast, please visit www.DrinksEnthusiast.com
Follow Drinks Enthusiast on Twitter @DrinksEnthusist or Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrinksEnthusiast

Double Dutch Drinks:

Awarded Virgin Foodpreneur by Sir Richard Branson for most creative, inspiring and disruptive F&B start-up in the UK and Best Premium Adult Soft Drink at the World Beverage Innovation Awards in 2016, Double Dutch offer unique flavours that revolutionise the world of beverages. Raised in the Netherlands, Double Dutch’s twin founders, Joyce and Raissa have a natural affinity with superlative drinks and excellent blending’s. Their love affair turned to frustration. While the world’s choice of spirits has continued to grow, mixers and sodas have remained bland, resulting in the Double Dutch love affair that unites great spirits with complementary mixers that enliven and enhance.