We’ve all had a drink or two on a plane but what if you could get out of that cramped seat and in a booth? That’s right, Virgin Atlantic has created an area they are calling ‘The Booth’, so you and your travel mates can enjoy cocktails together at 30,000 feet?

Virgin Atlantic has launched the new social drinking “Booth” on its newest A350 aircraft. The airline describes the new room as “a cosy corner, providing comfy lounge-style seating” and will feature two 27” touch screen monitors, and two Bluetooth audio jacks.

“We’re famous for our onboard social spaces and the introduction of The Booth elevates the customer proposition for our leisure travellers to new heights,” said Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic’s chief customer and operations officer. “I’m delighted that we’ve curated The Booth specifically for our customers jetting off on holiday to our sunny destinations, such as Orlando, offering a truly stylish start to their trips.”

The Booth has been “designed with beautiful, tactile finishes, including Scottish leather seats and a pressed wool effect table,” explains the brand. “It’s a luxurious spot just for two, to enjoy anything from a wine tasting experience to a romantic dinner, a nightcap, or just a change of scene.”

People travelling between London Heathrow and Orlando will be the first to experience the Virgin Atlantic Booth as a social drinking space with the first flight currently scheduled for December 2021.

Other leisure destinations, including Barbados, will receive the new aircraft with The Booth later in 2022.

Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A350 and its Boeing 787 also already houses a separate communal bar in which upper-class customers are encouraged to socialise in mid-flight. On its bookings site, the airline reminds its travellers that drinks on board its flights are included in its ticket prices, stating: “Our onboard bar is a great spot to meet up with colleagues and catch up with friends. The drinks are on us.”

For more information or to book your trip, head over to Virgin Atlantic’s official website.

American Gin brand Aviation wants fans to marvel at its ‘ginematic’ universe with six new limited-edition Aviation American Gin bottles inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine”.

“I discovered Aviation American Gin while shooting the first Deadpool movie,” said Ryan Reynolds, Aviation American Gin’s Co-Owner.

“Back then, Aviation wasn’t big enough to tie-in to a big summer movie, and Deadpool was lucky to get any sponsors at all. A few hundred weeks and drinks later, here we are! They grow up so quickly, don’t they?”

Encased in sleek black glass and accented with red custom strip stamps and metallic details, the limited edition bottles have been designed by Maximum Effort and Sandstrom Partners.

Offering a nod to the iconic character, each bottle variant showcases one of six distinctive Deadpool icons, while the exterior of each gin case simulates the look of Deadpool’s signature suit fabric.

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“Our collaboration with ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ to create this series of bottles is a first-of-its-kind promotion for Aviation American Gin with one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history,” said Ricky Collett, Global & US Brand Director for Aviation American Gin at Diageo.

“The custom bottle embodies the irreverent spirit of both brands and showcases our commitment to pushing cultural boundaries and redefining the gin drinking experience,” Collett continued.

Each limited-edition bottle is filled with the same perfectly crisp, smooth Aviation American Gin fans know and love. Distilled in its unique American style and crafted with a blend of botanicals delivering an approachable and balanced flavour profile, Aviation American Gin is a versatile spirit, perfect for any cocktail occasion.

“The ‘Deadpool’ film franchise has been a cultural phenomenon since its inception,” said Holly Frank, Walt Disney Studios’ VP, Partnership Management and Operations, Marvel. “We’re so excited to be collaborating with Aviation American Gin to give fans a chance to engage with the world of Deadpool in a whole new way leading up to the eagerly anticipated theatrical release of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’.”

The limited-edition bottles will be available while supplies last from early summer at retailers nationwide, online, as well as the Aviation Distillery, and in select countries (US/UK/CAN/AUS).

For more information, go to aviationgin.com and follow @AviationGin on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

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