Flaviar, the world’s largest spirits club, has officially set the Guinness World Records title for the largest livestream toast, uniting its members and spirits lovers across the world as they raised a glass to get in the history books.

In more normal times, Flaviar hosts its largest gathering of the year – Craft Spirits Celebration – in New York – which is an evening of tasting, exploration, entertainment and camaraderie. Instead this year, Flaviar hosted a series of virtual events and tastings culminating in the Biggest Virtual Toast – a Guinness World Record Attempt which they smashed.

Flaviar secured over twice the amount of people needed for the record, with 3,594 officially recorded as tuning in to toast together in a stream that attracted over 8,000 views, 1,000 likes, and a staggering 11,391 comments.

The Guinness World Records Official Adjudicator & Spokesperson who attended the event , Michael Empric, was careful to ensure three key rules were adhered for the attempt to make the record books: 1. The livestream was related to toasting, 2. It lasted at least 10 minutes, and 3. The final total counted was the peak number of concurrent viewers (for a minimum of 10 minutes) of the live stream.

Flaviar’s Guinness World Record-setting toast was hosted by Spirits writer, Brad Japhe, and special guests included the Spirit of Dean Martin, Garrett Oliver (the founder & president of the Michael Jackson Foundation), Chad & Sara Perkins (from It’s Bourbon Night).

Grisa Soba, co-founder of Flaviar comments: “We did it! Together with our members we made history last night – just by raising a glass. It’s tough right now when you can’t get together with those you want to, and tonight we managed to meet online and hang out like it’s 2019 and get into the Guinness World Record Books.

Mexican Tequila brand Espolòn is celebrating 25 years since the introduction of its signature Tequila Blanco with the launch of a limited-edition celebration bottle.

A first for the brand, the limited-edition bottle was created by renowned Mexican street artist and illustrator, Edgar “Saner” Flores.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this celebration and honoured that my art is now a part of the brand’s history,” explained Flores. “The essence of Espolòn’s journey inspires the label: the distinctive tequila-making process, iconic brand symbols, and the celebrations and traditions of Mexico.”

Depicting an irreverent tribute to Cirilo, the brand’s icon Ramon the Rooster, as well as the steps in Espolòn’s thoughtful tequila-making process. The artwork also pays homage to José Guadalupe Posada, whose iconic illustrations inspire every Espolòn bottle available today.

Additionally, Espolòn has collaborated with The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) to spur the next generation of creatives by supporting the first-ever Modern Maverick Artist Grant – an award created in partnership with NALAC as an extension of the organization’s 2024 NALAC Fund for the Arts (NFA) program.

The grant, in the amount of $10,000, will be presented by NALAC to one emerging Latinx/é artist who continues to champion unapologetic originality so they can continue to pursue their artistic endeavours.

As part of the festivities, Espolòn will also be hosting private events in Los Angeles on April 25th and New York City on May 2nd to celebrate those who have inspired and supported Espolòn throughout the years.

Hosted in partnership with iconic creative partners Adrian Per (@omgadrian) and Nicolas Heller (@newyorknico), each event combines the best of the city’s Latino art, culture, music, and of course, delicious cocktails for a night of underground celebrations leading up to Cinco de Mayo.

Espolòn Tequila is the realization of the late Founder & Maestro Tequilero Cirilo Oropeza who put his dream into motion with the construction of an innovative distillery in Los Altos de Jalisco, Casa San Nicolas (NOM: 1440).

From custom-designed stainless-steel autoclaves to serenading its yeast with classical music, Espolòn’s production process combines art with science. It merges traditional and modern techniques, creating a tequila known for its exceptional quality and versatility.

“Espolòn Tequila began with a vision to turn the tequila industry on its head to create something new and different,” explained Andrea Sengara, Vice President of Marketing at Campari America.

“As we commemorate this anniversary, we continue to champion unapologetic originality and spur on creative mavericks in all that we do, always striving to keep Cirilo’s vision alive. The past 25 years have seen this brand grow into a truly global player, and we’re excited to bring this moment to life with engaging events and limited-edition launches for Cinco de Mayo and beyond.”

For more information, go to espolontequila.com

French Cognac brand Hennessy has launched its ‘Made for more’ campaign highlighting five easy, summer cocktails you can make with the brand.

Featuring multi-hyphenate US star Teyana Taylor and Breakthrough British Nigerian Actor Damson Idris, the campaign highlights how any drink or occasion can easily be made ‘more’ when you add Hennessy.

The cocktails featured in the campaign are –

Hennessey Ginger – a mix of Cognac and Ginger Ale,

Hennessy Pineapple – a mix of Cognac, Pineapple Juice and bitters,

Hennessy Berry Mojito – a mix of Cognac, Berries, Lime, Simple Syrup and Mint

Hennessy Honey Highball – a mix Cognac, Honey Syrup, Lemon Juice and Soda Water

Hennessy Margarita – a mix of Cognac, Orange Liqueur, Agave and Lime Juice

“Hennessy is well known everywhere, but people don’t always know how versatile it is – how it brings more flavour, depth and complexity to all kinds of cocktails,” explained Hennessy Global Chief Marketing Officer, Julie Nollet.

“Our new ‘Made for more’ campaign is bringing to life this notion of 1+1=3, showcasing the unlimited possibilities and introducing another side of the brand with beauty, fun and open-mindedness,” Nollet continued.

“It shakes up the brand perceptions and builds on its legacy for a new generation.”

Known for partnering with cultural icons and characters to personify the brand’s multifaceted nature, Hennessy enrolled the creative agency Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam to show the cognac’s mixability.

For more information and cocktail ideas, go to hennessy.com

British bartender Brandon Stead from 45 West (Gin and Cocktail Bar) in Leicester has won the UK final of the 2024 Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge. 

Stead’s winning creation, ‘Vincent and Gallo, ’ stunned judges with its combination of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, homemade clarified sunflower seed orgeat, IPA, soda, and Absinthe.

“I was inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers and their connection to Italy, the beauty of nature, and believing in your work, despite what those around you are doing or saying,” Stead explained.

“I loved how Sunflowers rise and set with the sun, in much the same way Italicus starts with the morning harvest of Bergamot and ends in the bottle, labelled with the colour of Italian sunsets,” Stead continued.

“Once I started making the connections between Sunflowers and Italicus, the cocktail just fell into place, and I couldn’t be happier with how it came out.”

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Stead has secured a spot in the upcoming final in Rome, where he will compete for the Global title. He will also receive a once-in-a-lifetime trip and mentorship with Cafe La Trova by Julio Cabrera in Miami. 

The judging panel included Erik Lorincz, owner at Kwant Mayfair, Sandrae Lawrence, Co-Founder of The Cocktail Lovers and ItalSpirits Advocacy Director, Roberta Mariani.

Second place was awarded to Emmy Pip Knight from American Bar in The Savoy London, with her cocktail ‘Notion’ which consisted of ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto, Lem-Marrakech Bitters and a homemade soda, including ingredients such as rose petals and Amontillado sherry.

Marie Nolin from The Coral Room in London was awarded third place, creating ‘Blossom in the Dust’ a cocktail made with ITALICUS Rosolio Di Bergamotto, bergamot juice, kefir fig water and activated veg charcoal.

For more information on Italicus, go to rosolioitalicus.com

New Orleans bar Jewel Of The South has been awarded the Michter’s Art Of Hospitality as part of the third annual North America’s 50 Best Bars awards.

“Jewel of the South has created a community that provides exceptional hospitality and customer service that always stands out and keeps customers coming back time and time again,” explained Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars. 

“In addition to offering that quintessential dose of traditional southern hospitality, they serve alongside a cocktail menu that is synonymous with Chris Hannah’s love for New Orleans and the bar’s French Quarter location.

A reimagined, classic New Orleans tavern set in a renovated 1830a Creole Cottage, Jewel Of The South presents a cocktail program that is steeped in history while showcasing classic techniques with innovative seasonal flavours.

The award-winning cocktails on the menu focus on riffs that showcase the historic city, with drinks that include The French 75, The Jewel Sazerac, and the Brandy Milk Punch. Emphasizing historic ingredients, the cocktail program gives guests the chance to soak in the city’s past while simultaneously sipping on the future.  

“Winning the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is such a thrilling recognition, and coming from an area in our country where we pride ourselves on exactly that, it’s especially fantastic,” said Chris Hannah, Partner and Bartender, Jewel of the South.

“I’m even more excited to reveal to our staff that we’ve won this amazing award for literally what we emphasize to them every day: that our most important asset here at Jewel of the South is hospitality.”

Exemplifying that magical synergy between exceptional drinks and exceptional hospitality, Jewelo Of The South is proving the validity of its name by offering a warm welcome to every guest who walks through its doors.

“Congratulations to Chris Hannah, Victoria Espinel, John Stubbs, Paul Greagoff, and the entire team at Jewel of the South on this wonderful recognition,” said Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President of Michter’s Distillery. We join in celebrating the Jewel of the South team on a great honour for their establishment and the New Orleans bar community as a whole.” 

The North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024 awards ceremony will take place at the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende in Mexico on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Returning to Mexico for the second year in a row, the awards aim to provide consumers with an exceptional list of expert-approved drinking destinations across North America.

The countdown to the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars and the awards ceremony will also be broadcast to a global audience who cannot attend in person. Cocktail lovers are encouraged to watch through The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.  

Italian Liqueur Aperol is looking to give consumers an in-depth view of Venice that is rarely seen beyond the tourist trail.

“Life View”, a new platform on the Aperol website share the unseen joy of life and its moments of spontaneous conviviality that is at the beating heart of one of the world’s oldest cities.

Powered by Google technology – hosted on Google Maps Street View, ‘Life View’ invites viewers to travel on previously uncaptured waterways in just a few clicks. Using brand new 3600 footage, viewers are invited to explore Venice for themselves through an interactive map.

Bringing a sense of immersion,’Life View’ will capture the spontaneous interactions that occur between the locals who work and live on the canals, and how their embracing attitude to life brings joy to the daily connections they create.

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The Locals

Supporting local organizations from the city that are responsible for embedding the Aperol Spritz into its Aperitivo culture, the content sees specialized glass blowing artists from Wave Murano Glass and generationally maintained Gondolier Association and sporting association, Venice on Board interacting with other authentic
Venetians.

The footage of Google Maps ‘Life View’ opens with Terrazza Aperol’s Head Chef Samuele Silvestri and Sous Chef Andrea Dei Rossi as he journeys along a stunning, yet lesser-known, waterway to pick up fresh produce from local supplier Donna Gnora. The embracing interaction between the locals is captured at eye-level, bringing a new perspective of viewer participation into the story.

While many people are familiar with traditional gondolas, the ‘Life View’ footage goes on to reveal exactly how generations of Venetians continue to keep the unique tradition and craft of gondolas alive in a modern world.

From Venice’s Gondolier Association, Benedetta and Aldo Reato, together with the current president of the Association, Andrea Balbi share a day in the life of navigating some of the known and lesser-known canals of Venice. Alongside this, they visited local artisan, Lorenzo della Toffola of the Squero San Trovaso, to give viewers an insight into the specific methods used to restore and repair gondolas.

Local artist and Wave Murano Glass founder, Roberto Beltrami, together with his team, is featured with a nod to the rich history of artists in Venice, as he unveils a piece of art using recycled Aperol bottles. The art piece was meticulously crafted using 40 recycled Aperol bottles, donated by Terrazza Aperol.

The History

“Venice, the city where the aperitivo culture flourished, is at the core of Aperol’s long heritage and today’s contemporary spirit,” explained Campari Group Chief Marketing Officer, Julka Villa. “It has informed our values and shaped our distinctive style.

Aperol has deep roots in Venice. Created in 1919 by founders Luigi and Silvio Barbieri at the International Trade Fair of nearby Padova, the liqueur quickly caught the attention of the canal city.

The aperitif rose to the global fame that it now holds, through local Venician bars served the convivial drink as the perfect Aperitivo moment, alongside bite size snacks,

“To uncover, share and celebrate Venice in its entirety is a very proud moment, and is our way of giving back to the city and Venetians,” Villa continued. “It is so much more than the classic Instagram photos we are used to seeing, and through this initiative we hope to share the depth of the joy that is there to explore above the surface of the famous waterways.”

The View

Shot on an Insta360 Pro 2 cameras in 8K 3D VR, the Street View-ready content captures every detail in every direction.

Viewers will also be able to explore an interactive map that features the 360° content with geo tags, bringing the hidden waterways, undiscovered gems and local stories right into the palms and homes of viewers.

Aperol’s ‘Life View’, powered by Google technology, is available to explore at aperol.com

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