This October, world-renowned bartender and co-founder of Banks Rums, Jim Meehan, embarked on a European tour to share discoveries and experiences from his time in the industry. Joining Banks Rums, Jim visited key on-trade accounts to recount stories from his newly launched, award winning book, Meehan’s Bartender Manual.
Starting in Amsterdam before visiting Copenhagen and Düsseldorf, the tour ended at Berlin’s one-room, saloon bar Windhorst, during the prestigious Bar Convent Berlin trade show. Each bar created a bespoke, limited edition menu inspired by the rich and complex flavours of Banks Rums.
A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
Just as Joseph Banks embarked upon a journey that would allow him to discover and share his findings in botany with the world, Meehan’s Bartender Manual provides a rich and layered insight into the bar industry. As an acclaimed mixologist and bar owner who has unparalleled experience in the on-trade, the tour was an opportunity to discuss some interesting stories and discoveries from the tome. Jim covered a range of topics from the history of cocktails and bartending, to drinks mixing, menu development and of course spirit innovation through his own experience creating Banks Rums.
THE CURIOUS, SPIRITED & BRAVE
A true innovator in the bartending world and the embodiment of a modern-day explorer, Jim harnessed his pioneering spirit to open cult New York speakeasy PDT in 2007 before co-founding Banks Rums the following year with the aim of creating a white rum of unparalleled depth and flavour. Mirroring Joseph Banks’ pacesetting voyages of discovery in the 18th Century, Banks Rums has transcended perceptions by using some of the world’s finest rums from the East and West Indies to create its unique blends.
Demonstrating his commitment to pushing the boundaries, Jim was one of the founding partners of nonprofit organisation (P)our; an initiative dedicated to sharing, educating and supporting the global on-trade community. Meehan’s curiosity and passion for cocktails and spirits was recognised at the 2009 TOTC Spirited Awards for “World’s Best Cocktail Bar” soon followed by the “Outstanding Bar Program Award” from the James Beard Foundation in 2012 before being awarded “Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book” at the 2018 TOTC Spirited Awards for Meehan’s Bartender Manual.
DEPTH OF FLAVOUR
Throughout the tour, the selected venues served one-time-only menus that reflected the spirit of Jim Meehan and Banks Rums. From Jim’s Five Island Flamingo creation at Grand Pu Bar, Düsseldorf, to the House Punch made with Banks 5 Island Blend, fino sherry, Napoleon Manderine, rooibos and lemon at House Bar, Amsterdam, each serve showcases the unparalleled depth of flavour that shines through any drink, lending
texture and body.
The tour itinerary was as follows:
1. 3 October: House Bar, Amsterdam
2. 4 October: Lidkoeb, Copenhagen
3. 5 October: Grand Pu Bar, Düsseldorf
4. 8 October: Windhorst, Berlin
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DRINKS ENTHUSIAST 