United Wine Merchants recently ran a Christmas Caorunn Cocktail Competition whereby eleven finalists were selected to compete in the final at the new Titanic Hotel, Belfast on Monday 6th November. The finalists had to each make their shortlisted cocktail using Caorunn Celtic Gin before an audience of colleagues, competitors and influencers.

 Rebecca McKinney hosted the event which saw the guests enjoy a fun–filled, festive evening of Caorunn, cocktails and canapes. 

Judging the fantastic array of cocktails were judges: Nial Mackinlay, UK Sales Director, Caorunn, Lynsey Hollywood, Down The Hatch NI blogger, and Sarah Clark, Senior Trade Marketing Manager, Caorunn. 

Jamie Jamieson, Muriels Mixologist, was selected as the winner with his winning cocktail: ‘Gold, Frankincense and One More Please!’, winning a break for 2 to the amazing Caorunn Distillery in Scotland. Carefully handcrafted in the Scottish Highlands, Caorunn expertly infuses five locally foraged gin botanicals. Artisanal and small batch, beautifully mixing the rugged charm of Speyside with the urban sophistication of modern Scotland. United Wine Merchants incorporating HEINEKEN NI is a dedicated Agency led wholesale business within the Licensed Trade servicing the entire On and Off Trade. Now in their 33rd year of operation United Wine Merchants offer a market leading and award–winning portfolio of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks across the Island of Ireland.‘Gold, frankincense and one more please!’ cocktail ingredients are as follows: 25ml Caorunn 12.5ml Cocchi vermouth12.5ml Curacao orange Dash of chocolate bitters15 ml Star anise sugar syrup Garnish: dehydrated orange, rosemary and star anise.All ingredients are added to a chilled mixing glass and stirred. Fine strained over ice and garnished with rosemary, orange and star anise.Find out more about United Wine Merchants and Caorunn Gin by visiting www.unitedwines.co.uk/spirits/gin/caorunn  

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