KSA Mixology Experience:
A Glimpse into the Future of Drinks
14-15 May 2024 - Great Futures Riyadh
The Middle East has certainly been capturing global attention in recent years, and as residents of Dubai for many years, we couldn’t be more proud. While we haven’t yet explored every country in the region, we were fortunate to have an incredible opportunity to collaborate with Diageo for the Great Futures event in Saudi Arabia this past May.
As part of Diageo’s impressive portfolio, Tanqueray has long been a staple in the world of premium gin. Recently, the brand made waves with the launch of Tanqueray 0.0, a non-alcoholic version of their iconic gin.
It's exciting to see how the no- and low-alcohol market has grown in the past few years. This shift reflects several factors: more mindful drinking, a greater focus on health and wellness, and changing lifestyle choices.
In our opinion, Tanqueray 0.0 stands out as one of the best non-alcoholic gins on the market today, offering the same signature botanicals and quality we’ve come to expect from Tanqueray—without the alcohol.
A Few Words About the Great Futures Event
As part of this exciting gathering, we had the honour of leading the mixology experience, where we exclusively crafted non-alcoholic drinks using Tanqueray 0.0. The event provided the perfect platform to showcase how the beverage world is evolving, offering sophisticated and flavourful alcohol-free options to those seeking mindful drinking choices.
It was inspiring to witness how both regions are embracing innovation and sustainability in their respective industries, and we were thrilled to be part of this milestone event in fostering new ideas for the future.
In partnership with Diageo, it was exciting to see how the brand is leading the way in creating high-quality, innovative non-alcoholic options that align with the future of drinking culture.
Our Craft: A Fusion of Two Worlds
With the Great Futures event bridging the cultures of the UK and Saudi Arabia, we wanted our mixology experience to reflect the harmony between these two nations. Keeping sustainability in mind—something deeply valued in Islamic culture, which views respect for nature as a key principle—we carefully tailored a menu that honoured both cultures.
The theme we chose for our creations was:
"Inspired by the Arabian wildlife, blended with British ingredients."
This fusion captured the essence of both regions, while staying rooted in the values of sustainability and the beauty of nature. We also found a quote that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the experience:
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars
This quote perfectly captured the spirit of our mixology experience, symbolising the hidden beauty in nature, much like the connection between the UK and Saudi cultures that we sought to represent.
Here’s a glimpse into the cocktails we crafted for this special event:
FENNEC COLLINS
CARACAL PUNCH
FLAMINGO FIZZ
Tanqueray 0.0, Strawberry & Rose Shrub, Tonic Water.
GAZELLE'S BREW
How the Service Went
The service was intense but thoroughly enjoyable. The bar was purpose-built for the event, which meant it didn’t come with the usual amenities like running water or ice wells—common in these types of events. However, we were fortunate to have plenty of shelves and storage space to work with.
We had to get creative to make everything work. Organising the ice section and finding refrigeration for the soft drinks required some out-of-the-box thinking. A smart move was arriving in Riyadh a couple of days in advance. This gave us the chance to explore the city, source everything we needed, and set up in a way that would make the operation as smooth and efficient as possible. The extra prep time paid off, allowing us to serve the guests seamlessly throughout the event.
Over the two days of the event, our days started early—at 8.30 AM, we were prepping the bar and getting everything ready for the day ahead. The official kick-off for serving drinks was at 10 AM, and from there, it was non-stop action (and we mean really non-stop) until 6 PM.
No joking, we served over 600 drinks across those two days! The pace was intense, but thanks to our prep work—especially with pre-batching some drinks—we were able to execute quickly. This gave us the chance to engage more with the guests, who were genuinely curious about Tanqueray 0.0.
The drinks were incredibly well received, with lots of genuine compliments. It was rewarding to see people excited about the non-alcoholic options and how much they enjoyed the unique flavours.
Final Thoughts
It was a reminder of how rewarding it is to adapt, connect, and share our passion for mixology.
