AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival | Joburg

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ABOUT

AJABU

ADJECTIVE Swahili word meaning miracle, amazing, wondrous or incredible

Example: “Tamasha la ajabu la cocktail!” meaning "Amazing cocktail festival!"

INTRO

We welcome you again to the miracle of Ajabu, a bi-annual, week-long spirits-and-cocktail festival held in Joburg and Cape Town in March and November.

Bartenders from some of the finest bars around the world are flown into South Africa and partnered with finest local bars with whom they connect and collaborate to create incredible cocktails to celebrate the magic and diversity of South African ingredients and talents.

From 9th - 16th March , you will be able to have the pleasure of trying these incredible cocktails that have been created through the collaboration of global and local bartenders working side by side in fun, exciting and totally unique pop-ups, aka AJABU MASHUPS!

Access to the mashups is complimentary, but space is limited – and we'd like everyone to be comfortable – so registration is required.

Please make sure you register for all the days you would like to attend

On The Day -

You will check in at our Ajabu Welcome desk, and receive an Wrist band which will give you access to all the events for that city.

This Wrist band is your ticket to the festival.

See "REGISTRATION & TICKETS" below for further info.

We look forward to sharing all the friendship, love and pleasure that is being created by the Ajabu community!

Follow along on Instagram as we unveil all!

REGISTRATION & TICKETS

Tickets are complimentary, however subject to availability.

What to do:

STEP 1. Click on the "tickets"' button and register for the event.

STEP 2: You'll get an email to confirm we've received your application.

STEP 3: Once your registration has been processed, you'll get a second email inviting you to book tickets.

STEP 4: Click on the "book now" button within, and book your complimentary ticket, which will be emailed to you.

STEP 5: Present your QR code at the first bar you visit (via printed or digital ticket), and you'll receive an event wristband.

STEP 6: Use your wristband to access any of the mashups at the partner bars.

Seminars in Johannesburg

Monday 10 March

• 10 - 1pm - Community Brunch Hosted by Ajabu
• 1.15pm - 2.30pm - A Deep Dive Into Agave

Hosted by Steve Olson ( Co founder of Del Maguey) & Julio Bermejos (Owner of Tommy’s Mexican Bar)

• 2.45pm - 4.30pm - Diageo Bar Academy

Shaking up the Bar Industry: Women in Cocktail Competitions

Diageo Bar Academy - Host: Cassandra Eichoff, Panel: Burdett Geiling, Annette Mulama, Vance Henderson(TBC)

Join us for an inspiring conversation on empowering women in the world of competitive bartending 

Tuesday 11 March (Joburg)

• 10am - 12.30pm - Tasting Table Hosted by Ajabu
• 1pm - 2.15pm - Trends, Sustainability & Ingredient Upcycling Hosted by Vance Henderson (Hendricks Global Ambassador)
• 2.30pm - 3.15pm - African Spirit: Purpose Driven Entrepreneurship 

Hosted by Amma Mensah Reign Rum

• 3.30pm - 5pm - Campari Academy Q and A: Women Redefining the Drinks Industry

Mediator Cassandra Eichhoff (Principal EBS) Amma Mensah; Kate Boushel: Atwater Cocktail Club and Aimee May: Smoking Kills

Bar Collaborations

AFRICA CELEBRATION NIGHT

Sunday 9th March - 7pm - 10pm

Smoking Kills Hosts

Hero Bar (Annette Mulama + Kelvin Thairu)

Front Back/Soul Lounge

(Kojo Aidoo & Charles Appiah & Napoleon Forson)

Tuesday 11 March

Smoking Kills Hosts FrontBack/ Soul Lounge

(Kojo Aidoo & Charles Appiah & Napoleon Forson)

7.30 - 10.30pm

Sin+Tax Hosts Tommy’s Mexican (Julio Bermejo)

6 - 9pm

Obscura Hosts Atwater (Kate Boushel)

6.30 - 9.30pm

Saint Hosts Hero (Annette Mulama + Kelvin Thairu)

7 - 10pm

SPONSORS

AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival is proudly sponsored by Campari Group, Pernod Ricard, William Grant & Sons, Bacardí Limited, J Rieger Whiskey, Brown Forman, Reàl Ingredients, Patron Tequila, D'USSÉ Cognac, Patron, Angostura, Diageo, Diageo Bar Academy, Remy, The Macallan, Inverroche and SIPS

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