A landmark of the international cocktail year is set to stir up some action once again. Old Fashioned Week returns to bars around the world on 1-10 November 2019. Last year it counted in 1,300 participating bars across 60 countries, and an estimated 205,000 Old Fashioned cocktails were sold.

The established cocktail capitals of the world propelled the growth, but bars in new countries added a further dimension of international adventure, including Cambodia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, South Africa, Sudan and Vietnam. 2019 will be its fifth anniversary – and the sky is the limit. 

Bartenders around the world will celebrate the father of all cocktails, the Old Fashioned, as they reach for their mixing spoons to create their classic old fashioned and new fashioned cocktails for the ten days in November. 

Old Fashioned Week (OFW) is the annual global celebration of cocktailing for bartenders and everyone who appreciates a well-crafted drink. Bars will be inspired to serve up the most classic, innovative, original, premium or daringly different Old Fashioned cocktails. They aim to extend the legend that makes the Old Fashioned clearly the most popular cocktail in quality bars (in the World’s 50 Best Bars). Bars will be invited to participate by the sponsoring drinks brands until the end of October – all set for 1-10 November 2019. Both new and discerning cocktail drinkers will be treated to pure Old Fashioned fun and flavours in their favourite bars. 

Old Fashioned Week has flourished from its modest concept to a worldwide diary date – thanks to its creators Michael Landart of popular neighbourhood bar Maria Loca in Paris, and rum enthusiast Cyrille Hugon who founded Paris Rum Fest and Rumporter Magazine. It partners internationally with three principal brands: ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters, Havana Club rum, and Woodford Reserve bourbon. Participating bars will serve Old Fashioneds using ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters. Consumers can enjoy individually conceived events and promotions, devised by the bars. The Old Fashioned Week website and social media #OFW19 will share a variety of unusual creations and activities by bars, and also shops. 

Cyrille Hugon, co-founder and director of Old Fashioned Week, adds: “In 2019, Old Fashioned Week celebrates five years young. This classic cocktail will be forever fashionable. It is one of the first cocktails which you truly enjoy as your tastes mature. As you grow to recognize the qualities of a well-crafted cocktail, you also appreciate the skills of the bartender who made it for you. For bartenders, once perfected, it will always be central to their repertoire. Old Fashioned Week is keen to welcome even more high-quality bars, bartenders, and also shops and off licences. We encourage perfection, as well as innovation, and plenty of convivial drinking.

“Old Fashioned Week is a hub for unusual creations and initiatives to attract customers and increase their cocktail sales. Bars serving quality rum and whisky are on the rise, and an Old Fashioned cocktail is always in demand by sophisticated drinkers as well as a whole new generation of cocktail explorers.”