Get shaken and stirred at Edinburgh’s Cocktails in the City

The UK’s leading cocktail festival is on its way back to Edinburgh, with 16 of the city’s most exclusive venues – from chic to laidback speakeasies – the finest drinks and most creative bartenders transforming The Hub in Castlehill into the capital’s most exciting cocktail bar.

Cocktails in the City will see cocktail masterclasses, tasting sessions and even offer the chance to use foraged ingredients to jazz up your own gin-based cocktails, during a two-day cocktail extravaganza over Friday and Saturday, November 9 and 10.

The event, which in the past has been described as “a delectable festival of drinks” by Condé Nast Traveller, is a unique chance to celebrate the quality and diversity of Edinburgh’s vibrant world-class cocktail scene.

There’ll be the chance to sample the signature cocktails specially created for the festival by a diverse range of leading Edinburgh venues, from chic designer style of Harvey Nichol’s Forth Floor Bar to the New Orleans vibes of Hoot the Redeemer in Hanover Street, and award-winning steak and cocktail bar Hawksmoor – plus many more, including 56 North, Juniper Bar and Nightcap.

All 16 bars will be creating show-stopping cocktails – all priced at just £6.50 – with the theme “Inspired by Edinburgh”, in a bid to win the hearts and votes of festival-goers as they compete for the coveted crown of best cocktail bar.

Each drink will be cleverly created to reflect the people, history, events and flavours that makes the city so unique.

While guests can get shoulder-to-shoulder with the city’s leading bartenders and mixologists, and sample premium spirits from 30 hand-picked brands – alcohol-free versions will be available – there’s also the chance to learn more about the refined art of the cocktail.

A new immersive drinks experience, The Tasting Rooms, hosted in partnership with leading online drinks retailer 31Dover.com, offers an intimate series of tasting sessions with three craft producers in a private setting.

For guests prone to the occasional Espresso Martini, masterclasses with Tia Maria and The Coffee Project will unveil the secrets to creating the perfect drink.

Gin-lovers will want to take a seat at the forage botanical table where they can select from 22 herbs and flowers from Islay, to create their own drink courtesy of The Botanist Gin.

Cocktails in the City founder Andrew Scutts said: “We are excited to be making the most of the multifaceted space of the The Hub with interactive masterclasses in the gallery, tasting room experiences on the ground floor and 16 of the city’s finest bars spread across three unique spaces – all just a stone's throw from Edinburgh Castle.

“With a great blend of familiar faces and exciting new openings we are looking forward to opening the doors this November.”

Cocktails in the City Edinburgh runs on Friday and Saturday, November 9 and 10, from 6pm to 11pm at The Hub, Castlehill. Tickets are priced at £12, including a cocktail on arrival. All additional cocktails are £6.50.

• Find out more about Cocktails in the City Edinburgh, and book your tickets, at www.cocktailsinthecity.com