The week in pictures

The third annual Tidal X: Brooklyn, presented by Bacardi, occurred this week.

Performers included Jennifer Lopez, Steve Wonder, Jay-Z, DJ Khaled, Iggy Azalea, Cardi B, Fat Joe, Vic Mensa, Belly, Mack Wilds, Machel Montano, Mr Eazi and Princess Nokia. There were also special appearances from Rosie Perez and Lin Manuel-Miranda.

All profits from ticket sales went to charities supporting the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as the Mexico earthquakes.

Bacardi has committed US$1.3 million to Tidal X: Brooklyn charities.

Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell is offering a “taxidermy masterclass” this Halloween. Hosted by Tonja Grung of Made from the Dead, the event will teach people the basics relating to “preservation and presentation of natural history specimens – more specifically mice”. Alongside the basic techniques, props will also be provided to complete each mouse’s look.

It will be hosted on 28 October with tickets at £75 per person, which includes nibbles and a cocktail.

Belfast bartender Christopher McQuillan was declared winner of the first regional heat in the Bacardi Legacy cocktail competition. McQuillan, a bartender at Olivers Restaurant, competed with Northern Ireland’s “top mixologists” and impressed judges with his ‘no.62’ cocktail.

Brand ambassador for Bacardi rums, Metinee Kongriviali, said: “His drink took a fresh spin on classic combinations, managing to make coriander work as an ingredient with judges who would normally dislike the flavour.”

Scotland has announced Spirit of North Hop, a festival to celebrate the country’s “innovative spirits industry”. Distillers from all over the country are set to descend on Aberdeen next week to give visitors a sample of spirits, presented alongside street food and DJ sets.

As well as whisky, other spirits will also be on show. Scotland’s absinthe and white rum companies will all be there.

Maker’s Mark has announced a new bartender engagement programme, “The Makers”.

The series of workshops will explore the four key elements of Maker’s Mark Bourbon: wood, paper, wheat and wax. Further experiences will include cocktail menu design, personalising barrels and baking bread using red winter wheat.

Workshops will run next year across several UK cities, including London, Manchester and Liverpool.

SB‘s Nicola Carruthers went along to judge the International Bartenders Association’s World Cocktail Championships 2017 in Copenhagen, Denmark this week. Mario Hofferer (pictured) was crowned winner with his cocktail Rosé Sissy, which combined Finlandia vodka, Giffard Sangria, Schlumberger Sparkling Brut, Angostura aromatic bitters and a dash of edible gold.

Isle of Wight Distillery has revealed its latest offering, Mermaid Gin.

The retail agreement was officially launched this week with the assistance of a genuine mermaid. Xavier Baker of the Isle of Wight Distillery said: “This is a great opportunity to show the whole world what the Isle of Wight can produce and really put ourselves on the map.”

Mermaid Gin is now available from World Duty Free, with a dedicated display in Southampton Airport.

Our/Vodka is releasing a documentary series featuring New York partner Dave Ortiz visiting partners around the world to “meet his vodka family”.

There will be eight episodes at 20-minutes long each, set in New York, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Detroit, London, Berlin and Amsterdam. They aim to show how each local partner experienced joy and challenges in their area.

The footage has been filmed over the years of the company’s growth, although the decision to turn it into a documentary series was only made last year.

The series, called “The Vodka Family”, is now available on YouTube.

Spirit of Harrogate and Yorkshire Yurts have teamed up to celebrate Christmas by allowing people the chance to have a three-course dinner and live entertainment inside a festive yurt.

Spirit of Harrogate will be sponsoring the event and providing its Slingsby Gin to accompany the evening.

Yurt Bar Christmas parties will be held on selected dates this December in Moor Allerton.

Fruit purée brand Funkin this month launched Funkin Innovation Lab. The new project aims to provide bartenders with “exclusive, hands-on experience”.

The first Lab was held on 17 October and focused on non-alcoholic cocktails, featuring scent technician Ericka Duffy, who works with many Edinburgh bars including Bramble, and mixologist Alistair Kelsey from Mr Lyan.

The event also looked at the “sales opportunity and perception” of non-alcoholic cocktails, and discussed their place in the bar industry.