A hand-picked class of Dutch bartenders spent the past months with kintsugi, dashi and Japanese whisky. Then each had to prove what they had learned in a single glass. In Japan, some bartenders choose one cocktail and make it again. And again. Every day, under the eye of a mentor, for as long as it […]
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Flavor doesn’t start behind the bar, it starts at the source. That idea formed the foundation of a recent inspiration trip that brought together bartenders and growers to explore how ingredients shape the way we build drinks. At the heart of Suntory Roku Gin lies the principle of shun, the belief that botanicals should be […]
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Words & photos: Albert van Beeck Calkoen On April 21, inside Hotel Arena, the Dutch chapter of one of the world’s most influential bartending competitions unfolded once again. Diageo World Class isn’t just a contest. It’s a global stage, with national rounds across participating countries, all leading toward an international final where the very best […]
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From March 27 to April 5, Amsterdam turns into one big cocktail festival. Amsterdam Cocktail Week, the event I set up 10 years ago, is back. For ten days, the city celebrates its cocktail scene and the people who make it what it is. Expect exclusive signature cocktails at 23 of the city’s best bars, […]
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