The Menu: The best Irish cocktail

Food news with Joe McNamee

RAISE YOUR GLASSES

The 21st century revival of cocktails in Ireland continues apace, with the third Irish Cocktail Festival (Oct 9-14) taking place throughout the 32 counties with any bar, restaurant or hotel welcome to get involved. Showcasing many of the fine Irish distilled spirits available, not least from the plethora of boutique operations around the country, and harnessing the creative drive of a new cadre of young mixologists, the local scene has never been so vibrant and those businesses wishing to get involved simply need to concoct a cocktail of their own made using one of the festival’s official Irish brands. Once the festival kicks off, punters are invited to vote for their choice of #BestIrishCocktail. (www.greatirishbeverages.com)