World Cocktail Day is upon us, a global celebration of cocktails in all their shapes, sizes, and flavours – as if we needed an excuse to celebrate cocktails.
The annual event on 13 May will see people across the globe raise a toast to the wonder of mixology, and the whole experience of going out for cocktails.
Whatever your taste, whether you like a short and bitter beverage or a fun and flirty cocktail, you’ll find something to love inside the Corn Exchange in Manchester city centre.
The Grade II-listed building is home to more than a dozen brilliant restaurants, cafes and bars, many of which are ready to show off their drink-making skills.
Each one is created with a focus on ingredients, presentation, taste and experience.
So in honour of World Cocktail Day, here’s a guide to just some of the cocktails around the Corn Exchange.
Sit back and raise a glass to the creativity and innovation of bartenders and mixologists around the world, especially those here in our home city.
Chilli Mango Margarita at Mowgli
The most popular cocktail in the world, the margarita, is given a refreshing and spicy twist by Indian restaurant Mowgli.
They’ve added fresh mango and chilli peppers to the smoothness of tequila, with the zesty kick of lime juice.
Orchard Daiquiri at Riva Blu
Down at Riva Blu, the authentic Italian restaurant that faces out onto Exchange Square, you’ll find the refreshing and delicious Orchard Daiquiri.
It’s made with smooth El Dorado 3yr Demerara rum, and is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy with the addition of nectarine, apricot, green apple, and lime.
Eton Mess at Sixes
It just wouldn’t be summer without an Eton Mess – or without cricket.
And you can merge those two worlds at Sixes Social Cricket, who are serving up a drink that mixes Strawberry Havana Especial Rum, ginger foam, brûléed meringue, and fresh strawberries.
One of the best bits of cocktails is the theatre that comes with them, whether it’s a torched topping, a colour-changing liquor or – as in this case – a cloud of dry ice that releases a burst of aromatic flavours.
This is the Love Dose cocktail at Delhi House Cafe, considered one of the most Instagrammable picks on this list of the Corn Exchange’s best cocktails.
It blends Bombay Sapphire Gin, lychee and lime.
Zucker Floss at Garten Bar
The Garten Bar, located right in the centre of the stunning Corn Exchange, has created a playful twist on a classic bubbly drink.
It’s made with prosecco and violet, served with a cloud of candy floss that slowly melts into your drink, adding both theatre and subtle sweetness.
The best bit? 2-for-1 deals are available every day.
Phojito at Pho
It’s all about delicious slurping at Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant that serves steaming bowls of noodle soup and a belting twist on a classic mojito.
It’s made with white rum, mint, lime and soda, packing a punch of flavour that pairs perfectly with your favourite pho dish.
Black Raspberry and Vanilla Highball at The Cosy Club
Pitched as a ‘taste explosion in a glass’, The Cosy Club’s Black Raspberry and Vanilla Highball is made with Mount Gay Rum, Chambord, vanilla, apple, and soda.
The Cosy Club is always a popular spot for a cocktail in the Corn Exchange, with balcony views over the atrium lending for some excellent people-watching.
The Banyan Colada – Banyan
Fancy a trip to more exotic shores? Of course you do.
The Banyan Colada will whip you straight away to the Caribbean with its blend of Bacardi Cuatro rum, Discarded Banana Peel rum, coconut, kaffir, lemongrass, pineapple, and lime.
Singapore Sling – Tampopo
One of the world’s most famous cocktails is given plenty of time in the spotlight from long-standing local favourite Tampopo.
Their Singapore Sling is made to the original Raffles Hotel recipe, using gin, cherry liqueur, Cointreau, grenadine, and pineapple juice.
Aperol Spritz – Salvi’s
The holiday vibes continue over at Salvi’s, who serve arguably the best and most authentic Aperol Spritz in Manchester.
You can sit out on their sun-soaked terrace sipping on Aperol, prosecco and soda water – if you shut your eyes, you can almost feel the Amalfi coast sea breeze on your skin.
_____
Please drink responsibly. If you feel that you are concerned about your relationship with alcohol, you can find information and advice about alcohol, learn about its impact on your health and wellbeing and get support to cut back on drinking via the Drinkaware website.
Featured image: Supplied
Sponsored
Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe
Emily Sergeant
Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.
Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.
Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.
You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.
Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.
There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.
There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)
At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.
And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.
“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.
Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.
Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)
Sponsored
Free Britpop karaoke event comes to Printworks this week ahead of Oasis reunion
Thomas Melia
A Britpop-themed karaoke event is making its way to Printworks this week and is expected to attract a ‘Wonderwall’ of Oasis fans.
Didn’t get tickets to see one of Manchester’s biggest musical exports at their upcoming ‘Oasis Live ’25’ tour dates? Don’t ‘Slide Away’, sing your heart out at Printworks instead.
Anyone who missed out on the biggest reunion of the year but still wants that cathartic crowd-singing feeling can soak it all up at Manchester‘s leading entertainment complex with this all-new fan-led event.
Printworks is hosting a free event featuring karaoke and live music in the lead up to Oasis’ epic hometown shows and everyone is invited.
The free Oasis sing-along will be hosted by Oasis tribute band Whatever Oasis Tribute, who will be performing two live shows at 6pm and 7pm.
You’ll definitely want to warm up your vocal chords as they’re playing all your favourite Oasis bangers, from ‘Wonderwall’ to ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, and everything in between.
Of course, being home to Europe’s largest digital ceiling, it would be rude not to make the most of it and what better way to use it than by screening lyrics to the Burnage band’s hits ‘Up in the Sky’.
There will be lots of other activities taking place at this immersive fan event too, expect free giveaways and even a Britpop-themed visual art display voiced by Happy Mondays star and Manc royalty, Bez.
As you look up in this city centre venue, you’ll see vibrant displays of iconic imagery relating to the golden era of 90s British music and culture appearing on the digital ceiling, narrated by everyone’s favourite maraca-playing icon.
Expect Union Jack motifs, recognisable fashion trends, and even kaleidoscopic colours that evoke the feeling of this very important decade.
Printworks will be screening iconic 90s imagery on their digital ceiling / Credit: Supplied
And don’t worry, you won’t have to be ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants’ to get a taste of the Britpop action, as this illuminated and interactive ceiling spans 1,000 sqm, oh and ‘She’s Electric’ too.
In the spirit of all things Oasis, Printworks vendor Big Licks is offering a complimentary small tub of soft-serve ice cream to anyone wearing a bucket hat on the day of any upcoming Oasis shows.
Tank & Paddle will also be giving away free shots to bucket hat-wearers on Thursday 3 July to celebrate the sing-along event.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Oasis are part of Manchester’s DNA, and we wanted to give our visitors a way to experience that connection – even if they didn’t get tickets.”
Printworks’ free Britpop-themed event is taking place on Thursday 3 July, featuring live music from Oasis tribute band Whatever, free karaoke, a Britpop display voiced by Bez, and lots more.
Daisy Jackson -
12th May 2023 
