Cocktail Capital of the Caribbean
The art of the perfect pour (Seven, Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman)
Get ready world, Cayman’s cocktail scene is taking centre stage. With a bar trend that rivals big-city cocktail culture, The Beach takes a dive into Cayman’s immensely popular food and drink event that is Cayman Cocktail Week.
2019 marks the 7th anniversary of this weeklong party but you could easily be forgiven for thinking Cayman Cocktail Week has been around since the dawn of the mixed drink. The event has proven so popular that it’s a guaranteed sell-out and a firm fixture on everyone’s calendar. If it’s not on yours, it should be and here’s why.
The brainchild of Joanna Austin (Brand Manager, Jacques Scott & Company), Cayman Cocktail Week brings together an eclectic mix of close to 40 of Cayman’s top bars and restaurants, showcasing creatively themed concoctions alongside delicious food pairings.
This year's Cocktail Week runs from 25-31 October with themed experiences and activities almost every day, ranging from meet and greets with top industry professionals, craft-your-own cocktail workshops and magical, mystery tasting tours.
“It all started as a bit of fun. A friend and I thought it would be cool to showcase some great drinks, awesome bartenders and provide a fun setting to meet some really interesting people”, says Jo.
And fun it is. What started as someone’s idea of a good time has exploded into a full-blown festival. Attracting revelers, foodies, cocktail connoisseurs and general good-time junkies, there’s undoubtedly far too much fun to pack into one week. So, along with her Jacques Scott partner in crime Simon Crompton, the party pair have extended Cayman Cocktail Week to run for the whole month.
“The special Cocktail Week menus will be available in bars and restaurants throughout October,” she explains, “It’s a great way to try cocktails that you might not normally order and there are good deals to be had all month”.
The Beach was fortunate enough to preview the line up and judging by what we’ve sampled so far, these carefully crafted libations are superb. And to Jo’s point, they have almost all contained a spirit that we wouldn’t have otherwise gone for. That is what makes this experience so unique: off-the-beaten path cocktail exploring.
Look for the teal-coloured Cayman Cocktail Week menus at your favourite Cayman restaurant. From Rackham’s to Rum Point and everywhere in between, expect to find things like The High Tea Spritz (Agua) – Tanqueray No.10, homemade peach-apricot cordial, prosecco and soda; Agave Negro (Casa 43) – Don Julio blanco, Chambord, lime, agave and mint; Sorrel and Ginger Daiquiri (Sand Bar) – ginger, hibiscus and Tanqueray gin; Elevated Rum Punch (Seven, Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman) – Mount Gay rum, bourbon, banana liquor, bitters. You may even find that some of these lip-smacking libations even give back to the community, look for the pink ribbon to see who’s collecting for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Agave Negro (Casa 43, Grand Cayman)
To keep things fresh, funky and bang on point, each year has a theme. Last year it was rum, which saw the likes of Lorena Vasquez and Joy Spence cruising the halls. If you know anything about swashbuckling cane spirits, these ladies are a huge deal in the rum world- Vasquez is the master blender and powerhouse for Zacapa rum and Spence is not only the first female master blender for Appleton Estates, one of the most popular rums in the Caribbean, she is also the first female in the world to hold the title. Impressive stuff.
This year, the limelight will beam down on botanical crowd-pleaser, the smooth and refreshing gin. In addition, you’ll also find a sustainable twist, with all Cayman Cocktail Week events promoting the use of paper cups and ditching plastic straws in favour of earth-friendly alternatives.
To kick things off, Terry Fraser master distiller for Tanqueray (one of the oldest and best-known gins), will be hosting happy hour on Friday October 25th in the lobby bar of the Westin Grand Cayman. If you have any burning questions for Terry or just fancy the idea of kicking back and sipping and classic G&T with the master blender of the most iconic gin in the world, we suggest you get there early and settle in.
With so much on going on, it’s hard to know where to start so here’s our run down on Cayman Cocktail Week 2019:
1. Tanqueray Green Room at Saltwater Grill, Friday 25 October – start your happy hour right with a toast to the soul era at this pop-up gin bar. Relax on the outdoor patio and try one of the signature Tanqueray cocktails. Great drinks specials and feature appies. Full dinner menu available. No cover charge. A no-fuss fun night out.
2. Coconuts, Conch and Craft Cocktails with the crew at Kaibo, Thursday 26 October – this will be a night for beach people. Grab your friends, ditch your shoes, and enjoy chill vibes under the stars. Expect Caribbean staples like conch fritters with jalepeño mayo, mahi-mahi ceviche, and fresh catch coconut curry, each paired with stunning Appleton blends and unique twists on old classics, like the lemongrass gimlet or the pineapple and coconut Old Fashioned. $80 per person plus gratuities. Tickets can be purchased here.
3. Karoo BBQ Brunch, Sunday 27 October – a laid-back Sunday brunch. Enjoy all-you-can-eat brunch staples such as eggs benedict and a carvery (try the Brazilian picana beef) as well as BBQ classics like ribs, jerk, buttered corn and shrimp skewers. Make the most of the Don Julio tequila cocktail bar with unlimited brunch cocktails, plus bubbles and beer. $59 per person plus gratuities.
4. Mac & Cheese at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Wednesday 30 October – the Cayman Cocktail Week signature workshop. This year sees a whisky and cheese pairing experience hosted by The Macallan and Marian Beke, owner and head bartender of Gibson Bar, London (ranked #6 on The World’s 50 Best Bars, 2016). Tickets include welcome cocktail and bites followed by pairings and a cocktail tasting. All you need to know about pairing with classic single malt and prestige whiskies. $90 per person.
5. Agua Halloween Cocktail Dinner, Thursday 31 October – get ready for a feast of frights with this pairing dinner like no other. Enjoy 6 creepy cocktails, 4 delicious courses and a hair-raisingly good time. A signature event of Cayman Cocktail Week, this themed dinner is all about creativity. “A lot of effort goes into making this fun and interactive. The chefs and bartenders go all out and because this year falls on Halloween, they’re doing some pretty creepy, crazy stuff,” says Jo. Past themes have been Quentin Tarantino, Black and White movies, New Orleans, and last year was The Art of the Cocktail. Expect unique interpretations and a lot of laughs. $100 per person plus gratuities.
For details on these events and more visit caymancocktailweek.com or email joaustin@jacquesscott.com
