Africa’s first bi-annual international cocktail and spirits festival returns to Cape Town next week.
Capetonians can enjoy the second edition of the AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival from 20 to 24 November.
AJABU COCKTAIL AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL CAPE TOWN
The festival, taking place at various bars in Cape Town, is sure to appeal to the most discerning of connoisseurs.
It features international bars, diverse educational seminars and panels, and exciting new opportunities such as the AJABU Scholarship Program.
Curated by Colin Asare-Appiah (Bar World 100 Most Influential Figures 2023, co-author of Black Mixcellence, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s 2024 Visionary Award Recipient) and Mark Talbot Holmes (founder of U’Luvka Vodka), AJABU – meaning ‘miraculous’ or ‘wondrous’ – aims to become Africa’s leading spirits and cocktail festival.
“The inaugural AJABU Festival was a remarkable first step in our mission to showcase Africa’s vibrant hospitality scene through pop-ups, panels, and tastings,” says Asare Appiah.
BI-ANNUAL AJABU COCKTAIL AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL
The festival debuted in Johannesburg and Cape Town this March to an incredible reception, welcoming numerous participants.
This included 15 participating global bartenders, 13 local partner bars, almost 2 000 pop-up attendees, 150 community brunch attendees and 290 tasting table attendees in both cities.
“We are excited to bring AJABU back to Cape Town, with another fantastic group of accomplished bars,” says Talbot Holmes.
DIVERSE AFRICAN HOSPITALITY
As its name suggests, the festival embraces the amazing diversity of the hospitality industry across Africa, connecting brands, bar trade, media, and cocktail enthusiasts, whilst supporting a new generation of African bartenders and hospitality professionals.
Global bars will indeed collaborate with outstanding local Cape Town bars in delivering unique offerings.
Participating venues include Cause Effect, Tommy’s Chop Shop, Art of Duplicity, Hacienda, The Drinkery, The House of Machines, Anthm, Kloof Street House, Talking to Strangers, Fable and Tjing Tjing.
Thus, delivering unique cocktail experiences celebrating African ingredients over three nights.
SEMINARS AND MASTERCLASSES
AJABU’s Cape Town Cocktail and Spirits Festival is not just about sampling cocktails and spirits.
The international festival will host a series of seminars and masterclasses for consumers, cocktail enthusiasts, spirits aficionados, and other members of the bar industry.
These events will indeed be led by renowned industry veterans.
This includes Steve Olson, (co-founder Del Maguey, co-founder BAR Academy, co-founder Stray Dog Gin and partner in Rieger Whisky).
They will lead masterclasses on Bourbon, Rye, and Kansas City whisky, Simon Ford (founder of Ford’s Gin).
“We’re looking forward to seeing these bartenders work alongside the equally outstanding local establishments in one-of-a-kind pop-ups and informative seminars,” Holmes said.
So, cocktail and spirit lovers should be sure not to miss the AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival this week.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
If you are looking to gain skills in the bartending trade here’s also something of interest.
The AJABU Scholarship Programme has been designed to uplift the African bar community specifically through educational, hospitality-focused courses.
Educational institutions, brands, businesses, and even individuals are invited to get involved.
Alternatively, one can purchase courses, which have been provided by Professional Bar Training, Edinburgh Whisky Academy, and Wine & Spirits Education Trust.
Some courses have been allocated for AJABU’s official charity partners.
However, the remainder are available to any African-based applicant who works in the drinks industry.
What are your favourite cocktails?
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