Christmas on Canal

Singapore venue Deadfall at Barbary Coast has been transformed into Christmas on Canal with festive decorations and a wintery menu.

Running until 27 December, the Christmas cocktail menu includes the Drunk Uncle Mulled Wine, made with red wine, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, triple sec, pear, citrus and spices, and the the Ho Ho Holy Sh!t It’s Christmas, which combines Monkey Shoulder gin, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, pimento dram, maple and burnt pecan bitters.

Deadfall at Barbary Coast will also serve a menu of festive dishes such as butternut squash soup and Argentinian Christmas carpaccio.

Cocktails with Santa

The Tea Room at Sydney department store The QVB is hosting a Cocktails with Santa experience to provide respite for last minute festive shoppers.

The Christmas experience includes a high tea created by The tea Room’s head chef, Robert Crichton, as well as paired festive cocktails, such as the Gingerbread Espresso Martini and Christmas Tea Punch.

The Cocktails with Santa experience is priced at AU$75 (US$57) and is available to book online.

Waterfront Bar winter cabins

For drinkers looking to elevate their outdoor drinking experience in the run up to Christmas, the Watermark Bar in New York has opened its glass cabins, which overlook the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Offering panoramic views to accompany your cocktails, the glass cabins can seat up to 10 drinkers in heated comfort. The Watermark Bar will also serve a wintery menu, including hot cocktails and a s’mores kit to enjoy in the cabin.

Salon St-Germain

Elderflower liqueur brand St-Germain hosted a virtual cocktail-making masterclass, which is now available to stream on YouTube.

The virtual Salon St-Germain saw interior designer Sasha Bikoff and plant stylist Hilton Carter join bartender and St-Germain national ambassador Earlecia Richelle to showcase tips and tricks to elevate your holiday entertaining.

The first episode celebrated the art of hosting an ‘avant garde-inspired soirée’. Cocktails mixed up during the programme included the Deco Martini, made with Bombay Dry, manzanilla Sherry, St-Germain and orange bitters, and the Smoke and Petals, which combines St-Germain, lapsang-infused Santa Teresa 1796 rum and orange blossom water.

Slingsby Christmas Gin Experience

English gin brand Slingsby has launched an interactive gin experience for drinkers looking to get into the festive spirit.

The Christmas Gin Experience is hosted by a Slingsby Gin mixologist and involves lessons on gin through the ages, a cocktail-making masterclass and tips on creating the perfect G&T. Ahead of the session, participants will be delivered Slingsby Gin to sip on during the workshop.

Sessions are available to book through the brand’s website, priced from £30 (US$41).

Benromach virtual distillery tour

Speyside distillery Benromach has launched an interactive, virtual tour of its site to provide a step-by-step guide to its approach to whisky making.

Made using 3D technology, the tour was created in partnership with Scottish virtual technology specialist View 360. The online experience can be accessed through the brand’s website and is hosted by Benromach brand home manager, Susan Colville.

The virtual Benromach tour offers visitors the opportunity to learn about some of the specifics involved in the production of Benromach and how the Speyside site makes its whisky.

Electric Spirit Co e-sports

Edinburgh-based Electric Spirit Co has launched an e-sports cycling team and is recruiting riders around the world to join in.

Running on the Zwift virtual cycling platform, members of the team will receive prizes and discounts based on participation and performance. Electric Spirit Co founder James Porteous (pictured) also hopes the team can grow beyond online racing once coronavirus restrictions are eased.

Riders looking to sign up or find out more about the e-sports team should head to the Electric Spirit Co Facebook page.

Sakaya opening

Japanese spirits specialist Sakaya is now open in London’s Belgravia, offering a curated selection of Japanese whisky, saké, shōchū, umeshu and yuzushu.

Now open at Pantechnicon in Belgravia, Sakaya will stock an extensive Japanese whisky list comprising more than 50 bottlings, including the last two Chichibu London Editions, single malts from Nikka, and vintage releases. Visitors will also be able to find the Karuizawa 1981 Sherry Cask #6056.

Sakaya will also offer tailored tasting experiences in a private tasting room, offering guests the chance to sample rare curated whisky flights with expert Charlie Thomas.