Business

Drew and Keoghan are Among the Absolute Best

Kiki Lounge is based on Douglas’ North Quay

Published

3 years ago

06/03/2024

Kiki Lounge is celebrating the extraordinary achievements of bartenders Drew Fleming and Keoghan Taylor, who’ve soared into the Top 100 of the Diageo World Class competition.

Their innovative cocktails, reflecting the ‘Isle of Man’s spirit and Kiki’s eclectic charm’, will feature in the World Class Cocktail Festival.

Owner Jamie Lewis, who is more than slightly proud of the boys, said he wants as many Manxies to try their unique island-inspired drinks.

March and April will see the inaugural World Class Cocktail Festival unfold across 20 towns and cities in Great Britain, featuring unique cocktails crafted by the nation’s top bartending talents. Participants, including Drew and Keoghan, will present at least three novel concoctions, promising an exploration of flavours and concepts.

Drew Fleming, a visionary bartender whose creativity and commitment to the Isle of Man’s hospitality scene have already earned him global recognition, including the prestigious 50 Best Bars Scholarship. Drew’s cocktail creations for the festival:

Queenie Martini: An exquisite mix of seaweed butter-washed Tanqueray TEN, queenie shell-infused vermouth, and roe oil.
Singleton + the Morning Papers: A comforting blend of The Singleton Single Malt Whisky, hazelnut butter Martell VS, spent coffee puck cordial, and chocolate bitters.
The Seed + the Scoby: An innovative alcohol-free cocktail featuring Seedlip Grove 42, raspberry + lavender cordial, and sweetened lemon kombucha.

Keoghan Taylor, known for his inventive cocktails and passion for the craft, has rapidly made a name for himself since joining Kiki Lounge in early 2021. Keoghan’s winning cocktail ‘A Coin Toss’ in the Joseph Cartron ‘Unexpected Tour’ Cocktail Competition has already showcased his talent on a national level. His festival entries include:

No Wrong Turn: A refreshing blend of Tanqueray 10 infused with dried lemon leaves, Foraging Vintners apple fizz cordial, Tio Pepe, lactic vanilla syrup, and saline solution.
Slaynt Vie!: A rich mix of Singleton 12yr, blackberry & cardamom vermouth, homemade NOA coffee bitters, and pecan syrup.
Blurred Line: An intriguing alcohol-free option using Seedlip Grove 42, homemade gazpacho cordial, and acid-adjusted grapefruit juice.

Jamie said: ‘This celebration of Drew and Keoghan’s achievements is not just a testament to their skills but also an embodiment of Kiki Lounge’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the promotion of the Isle of Man’s vibrant cocktail culture.

‘We warmly invite you to Kiki Lounge to sample these outstanding cocktails and to share in the excitement of the competition. Let’s unite in support of Drew and Keoghan, celebrating not only their current successes but also the bright future ahead for them and the Isle of Man’s cocktail scene.’

Kiki Lounge is based on Douglas’ North Quay.