The charming Cotswold town of Cirencester is preparing to hold its annual Summer Cocktail Competition on World Cocktail Day. This highly anticipated event will see six talented mixologists from across Gloucestershire vie for the prestigious title of King Cocktail 2025.
The competition, scheduled for Monday, May 12, is set to showcase the best shakers and mixologists in the region as they compete to claim the crown of King Cocktail 2025. Last year’s champion, Ryan Walters of Téatro Bar and Restaurant, will not be defending his title this year, passing the torch to Tom Fisher of the same establishment.
Competing alongside Fisher are James Stone of 17 Black Cocktail and Wine Bar, Kordian Smereczanski from Sasa Indian Kitchen and Bar, Will Cleaver of Henry’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Leo Barotini from The Bakers Arms, and Erin Evans from Burleigh Court, Stroud—making her the event’s first female competitor.
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World Cocktail Day is a global celebration that commemorates the first published definition of a cocktail on May 13, 1806. The event marks the historic definition of a cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters” by The Balance and Columbian Repository, a New York tabloid.
Foyez Rahman, representing Sasa’s, expressed confidence in competitor Kordian’s abilities, while Erin from Burleigh Court is hopeful that the natural produce from the Burleigh gardens will give her an edge in the competition.