Looking to avoid dry January, while also getting in a post-Christmas stressbusting country break. Why not do both? Head to Mayo and immerse yourself in cocktail creation in Westport – at the Knockranny House Hotel – or gin making in The Ice House Hotel in Ballina.
Knockranny House Hotel, Westport
Become your own mixologist with an immersive experience from the experts at Knockranny House Hotel this February, creating and customising your own unique cocktail.
A two-night stay, arriving on Friday 10th February, Knockranny’s mixologist and cocktail king, David Hacobian, and bar manager of the plush Brehon Bar at the hotel, Paddy Naughton, will guide you through the history, foundations and flavours of some of the world’s favourite drinks, and help you design your own creation to add to this illustrious list.
On Friday evening, Paddy will provide a whistle-stop tour through the art of wetting your whistle with a quick history of cocktail making, its rules, styles and methods, and a sampling of some of the world’s classics.
On Saturday afternoon, David will guide you through a workshop exploring the creation of a perfect drink, understanding and mastering ‘cocktail tension’ – the balance between alcoholic strength, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, temperature and texture — and focusing on sensory memory development and organoleptic analysis. This is when you’ll draw from Knockranny’s extensive drinks library of spirits, mixers, bitters and garnishes to create and customise your own cocktail.
With breakfast each morning overlooking the magnificent vistas of Clew Bay, the buzzing town of Westport within a short stroll and dinner on one evening in the award-winning La Fougère Restaurant at Knockranny House Hotel, this immersive cocktail experience with two workshops on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th February includes a copy of your masterpiece recipe to recreate at home, and is available from €245 per person sharing.
Ditch the detox and relax into 2023 with Ginuary this January at the Ice House Hotel. Forgo the diet and check in for a spirited overnight stay in North Mayo.
On arrival check in and enjoy a gin cocktail with local Kookie Gin from Alan Clarke while you sit back and take in the meandering Moy River from your floor to ceiling window.
During your stay, enjoy full access to the award-winning Chill Spa’s thermal suite, where you can relax in the Aromatherapy Room, refresh in the Experience Showers and drift away in the Snooze Room. Also included is dinner at restaurant 54° 9°, with a menu that focuses on the finest and freshest produce that Ireland has to offer.
A time to sip and sit back, Ginuary at the Ice House Hotel starts from €210pp including overnight stay, a gin cocktail on arrival and dinner in 54° 9° based on two sharing.
