Global Vodka brand Skyy has joined forces with NYC Pride to toast marriage equality with the launch of its its “SKYY Says I Do” campaign.

The campaign will cover the costs of wedding ceremonies for 100 couples nationwide via digital sweepstakes hosted on Instagram in celebration of marriage equality, as well as host a pop-up chapel in NYC.

An extension of the brand’s ongoing support of marriage equality and the LGBTQIA+ community, the campaign will allow couples to enter for a chance to win by creating and sharing a picture of themselves with their partner, toasting to marriage equality, and tagging @SKYYVodka and #SKYYSaysIDo on Instagram.

“SKYY Vodka’s support of marriage equality over recent years has supported organizations like Freedom to Marry to bring to life the Toast to Marriage campaign in 2015”, said Sean Yelle, Campari Sr. Category Marketing Director.

In addition to the social media sweepstakes, SKYY and NYC Pride, which supports community outreach efforts, are hosting a pop-up wedding chapel, which will be open to anyone and everyone 21+ in New York City looking to wed this holiday season officially. The pop-up will provide couples with everything they need for their big day, including the venue, officiant, and photographer, as well as delicious food and SKYY cocktails.

“As a supporter of marriage equality, SKYY Vodka is proud to stand alongside the LGBTQIA+ community,” Yelle continued. “The progressive spirit of SKYY Vodka is rooted in its California origins, and the brand is committed to making a positive impact on social justice issues that affect the community at large.”

For couples interested in getting married at the pop-up wedding chapel, all participants need to do is register their details and then show up ready with their marriage license on the day, ready to be wed. Consumers can register to participate in the pop-up wedding chapel on December 19 by visiting skyysaysido.eventbrite.com.

Award-winning London bar Scarfes Bar, Rosewood, in partnership with The Lakes Distillery, will host Bar Leone from Hong Kong for an exclusive takeover on Wednesday, 29th January, from 6pm onwards.

Bringing a taste of Italian-inspired mixology to the heart of London, the night will feature co-founder and bartender Lorenzo Antinori and offer a multisensory journey complemented by Scarfes Bar’s live music and artistic setting.

Blending Scarfes Bar’s artistic ambience with Bar Leone’s signature brand and Italian-inspired cocktails, the drinks will consist of a selection of four cocktails, highlighting high-quality seasonal ingredients and low-intervention techniques. These will, of course, be accompanied by Bar Leone’s bar snacks, Smoked Olives and Mortadella Focaccia.

The first of the cocktails will be Il Cacciatore is a zesty blend of The Lakes Classic Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Mastika, Cherry Tomato and Lemon.

Also featured will be Bitter Yuzu Highball is a refreshing serve featuring The Lakes The One Fine Blended, Yuzu Sake, Bitter Fusetti and Soda.

Fig Leaf Negroni is a unique twist on the classic with The Lakes Classic Gin, Fig Leaf Vermouth and Campari.

Finally, Caffe’ Paradiso is a complex and rich serve, showcasing The Lakes Whiskeymaker’s Reserve No.7 with Cold Brew Coffee, Amaro, Honey, Salted Cream and Green Cardamon. 

Guests can expect an engaging experience, as Lorenzo’s flair for storytelling adds depth to the evening, creating connections through the drinks, their inspiration and the ambience of Scarfes Bar. 

For more information, go to scarfesbar.com or connect with the bar social via @scarfesbar

Award-winning Barcelona bar Paradiso has announced the return of its fourth annual Paradiso Sustainability Summit, in partnership with Ketel One.

Hosted by the bar’s founder Giacomo Giannotti, the Summit will be held on Sunday 30^th March 2025 at Barcelona’s green event space Palo Alto. The event will feature some of the biggest names in the global bar community and will be accompanied by a public cocktail festival designed to showcase the finest sustainable brands, bars and cocktails from around the world.

“I am delighted that we are once again able to bring together the drinks industry’s most innovative minds to share their expertise on sustainable practises,” explained Giannotti. “Our goal with the summit is not just to spark discussion for the global community but also to create a platform where we drive greater change for our local community.”

The Summit’s programme of seminars and events will address issues of “Social Sustainability”, exploring topics such as diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment, alongside our most significant environmental challenges.

Last year’s event saw over 1,500 attendees, featuring several venues from The World’s 50 Best Bars list, including Himkok, Tres Monos and Alquímico, amongst many others, alongside some of Barcelona’s most exciting concepts such as Creps Al Born and Dr. Stravinsky.

For more information, go to paradiso.cat or connect with the bar via @paradiso_barcelona

Japanese Shochu brand, iichiko is calling on bartenders from Los Angeles to New York City to create the best cocktail using the brand’s Saiten expression, a high-ABV shochu crafted specifically for the modern bartender.

The competition asks entrants to spotlight the spirit while also showcasing a level of creativity that further establishes iichiko Saiten, and shochu as a category, as a major contender in the cocktail industry.

“We’re thrilled to be part of iichiko Irodori as it gives us a unique opportunity to showcase the versatility of the iichiko Saiten brand,” said Tetsuro Miyazaki, General Manager of iichiko Shochu. “The team looks forward to connecting with bartenders across the country who share our passion for shochu.”

Crafted specifically for the modern bartender, Michiko Saiten is an honkaku shochu, the highest grade of shochu, offering a full-flavoured expression of shochu that is perfect for cocktails at 43% ABV. Saiten exudes rich umami notes of jasmine tea, white peach, minerals, and earth, along with citrus and a saline finish.

The competition’s finalists will be announced in March and will face off at the Grand Finale events held at some of the United States’ most celebrated bars—Thunderbolt in Los Angeles, and Bar Goto in New York. Entrants will compete for the grand prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan, including a guest shift at a top Tokyo bar, a visit to the iichiko distillery, and a $1,500 cash prize.

Competition Guidelines and Grand Prize

• Entrant Eligibility

  • Residents of New York or Los Angeles (surrounding areas also acceptable; travel costs not included should entrants advance to the final round)

  • One entry per person

• Judging Criteria

  • All cocktails must contain a minimum of 1oz/30ml of iichiko Saiten

  • A maximum of 6 ingredients

  • All garnishes must be edible

  • Overall flavour and deliciousness

  • Creativity and originality

  • Low waste

• Submission Deadlines & Winner Announcements

  • Round One: (January 10th – January 31st, 2025): Written submission, submitted online here

  • Round Two: (February 4th – February 18th): Video submission

  • Grand Finale:

    • New York City (March 16th at Bar Goto): In-person competition

    • Los Angeles (March 18th at Thunder Bolt): In-person competition

• Prizes

  • First Place: All expenses paid trip to Japan, with a guest shift in Tokyo, visit to iichiko distillery, and $1,500 USD cash prize

  • Second Place: $800 USD cash prize

  • Third Place: $400 cash prize

For more information, go to iichiko.com and/ or follow the brand via @iichiko.shochu

Global brand 1800 Tequila has announced the 12th edition of its “Essential Artist Series,” an artist-led limited-edition bottle collaboration program that pushes the boundaries of taste in tequila and life.

This new collection features six original works of art by Mexican multimedia artist Raúl de Nieves. It celebrates the many facets of de Nieves’ Mexican heritage and identity.

The collection includes six exclusive bottles featuring original artwork by de Nieves. It is an extension of his “A Window to the See, a Spirit Star Chiming in the Wind of Wonder…” installation in the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington.

The collection symbolizes the relationship between the earth realm and the ancestral one through a celestial landscape of infinite possibilities. Each design represents a character on a journey of self-discovery. At the neck of the 1800 Tequila bottle lies the” Sagrado Corazón,” the heart of hours, days, and memories that come with life.

“Being Mexican has always been at the forefront of my identity, so I am incredibly honoured for 1800 Tequila, a brand that makes it a priority to spotlight Mexican voices, to have selected me as this year’s Essential Artist,” said Raúl de Nieves.

“Similar to 1800 Tequila, my culture is my craft. I am beyond excited to unveil this collaboration to the world and bring Mexican culture to a global stage through this partnership.”

The 12^th iteration of the Essential Artist Series furthers the brand’s ongoing commitment to support emerging and established artists who have impacted culture. Championing Mexican culture, de Nieves’s artwork fuses traditional Mexican craft with storytelling. 

“As the tequila category grows, 1800 Tequila maintains its leadership as the world’s most awarded tequila and a historic Mexican brand that prioritises taste across both tequila and culture. This decades-long art project has produced accessible art collectables for our fans, collaborating with some of the world’s most culturally relevant artists,” said Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits.

“We are proud to have an Essential Artist such as Raúl de Nieves join us this year to explore and introduce our multi-faceted and colourful Mexican culture to a U.S. audience.”

The 1800 Tequila Essential Artist Series 12 featuring Raúl de Nieves’ bespoke bottle collection is now available at 1800Tequila.com and in limited quantities in-store nationwide.

Scottish Whiskey brand The Glenlivet has teamed up with Scottish actor Thomas Doherty to create a stylish cocktail in honour of their new tartan collaboration.

The Tartan-tini is a modern twist on a contemporary twist on a traditional Manhattan cocktail.

The Glenlivet has looked to Doherty to take the tartan and the cocktail stateside. The brand believes that Doherty, who originally hails from Edinburgh, embodies an undeniable sense of style and originality – embodying the influence of Scottish quality and craft on American culture.

The Glenlivet tartan has been crafted by Lochcarron of Scotland, the world’s leading manufacturer of authentic Scottish tartan. The bespoke pattern features warm amber hues inspired by the rich golden liquid of The Glenlivet woven atop our signature teal colour.

“The beautiful thing about The Glenlivet is that it has done an incredible job of making tartan contemporary and very sophisticated,” explained Doherty. “But they have also been respectful to the hundreds and hundreds of years of history. Tartan isn’t just any plaid, and The Glenlivet isn’t just any whiskey.

“The tartan print and The Glenlivet single malt Scotch whisky are both so iconic to Scotland,” continued Doherty. “It’s been a pleasure sharing them with my friends in the US.”

Tartan-Tini

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Ingredients

• 2 parts The Glenlivet 12 YO
• 1 part Sweet Vermouth (optional: infuse with Scottish breakfast tea)
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Instructions

Stir all ingredients in an ice-filled mixing glass, then strain into a coupe glass.

Garnish with a manicured orange twist & Scottish shortbread