The search is on to find the best bartender in Ireland

Know of anyone that could compete with the best bartenders in the land?

If you do, then you might want to tell them to get their skates on and enter the Bushmills® ‘Cocktail Bartender of the Year’ category at the Sky Bar Awards 2017. Now in their 12^th year, the Sky Bar Awards are amongst the most premium available across the licensing trade and bring together talent from both Northern Ireland and Ireland. This year is the second year that Bushmills Irish Whiskey will host the Sky Bar Awards competition to find the 'Cocktail Bartender of the Year', but bartenders intent on pitting themselves against the best in Ireland have only a couple of days left to get their entries in before the closing date of Thursday, 29 June. Before that date, entrants must submit two Bushmills Black Bush cocktail recipes to the competition website; one recipe should be inspired by the classic old fashioned cocktail, while the other should showcase the entrant’s creative genius. A shortlist of finalists will then be invited to compete at a live competition in Dublin in July. Each candidate will have the opportunity to make two Black Bush cocktails for the judging panel and talk through the inspiration behind their creations. Finalists will be invited to attend the black-tie awards ceremony on 21 August in Dublin, where the overall winner will be revealed. Last year, the title was won by Paul Rocks of Belfast-based cocktail bar, Aether and Echo. Called 'Winter is Coming', the innovative recipe called on Northern Ireland’s love affair with Game of Thrones and the rugged landscape of the North Coast for inspiration. The winner of this year’s ‘Cocktail Bartender of the Year’ competition will gain exposure in the national media and enjoy an overnight trip to the Old Bushmills Distillery to experience an immersive tour and a tasting and blending session with Master Blender, Helen Mulholland. As well as that, the victorious bartender will join industry experts on the judging panel for next year’s event. For more information on the competition and to submit your entry, click here... but make it quick.