BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest’s Ginvitational: A Celebration of Cocktails will return to SteelStacks for a third year, it has been announced.
The event, which will feature at least 17 local, national and international distillers and distributors, will be 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (11 a.m. for premium access) Sunday, June 9, in Musikfest Café at the ArtsQuest Center.
“We can’t wait to bring back The Ginvitational.”ArtsQuest Senior Program Director Ryan Hill
The “spirited” event for ages 21-and-older will feature sampling and selling of bourbon, vodka, gin and many other spirit categories.
Tickets, at $34 to $39 (week of event) for general admission and $74 to $79 (week of event) for premium access, are available at the SteelStacks website.
In addition to early admission, premium access tickets include a Whiskey Forward Classic Cocktails Seminar with Edrington from 11 a.m. to noon about the Outryder Old Fashioned, Single Barrel Old Fashioned, Small Batch Negroni and a special Whiskey Sour.
Premium access also will offer access to the Edrington Wyoming Whiskey Lounge and an Edrington branded flask.
Premium Access Lounge sponsor Edrington will feature its Wyoming Whiskey and lead the premium access seminar.
There also will be educational seminars led by Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain and a team of the Lehigh Valley’s best mixologists throughout the event, covering topics including recipe fundamentals, syrups and tinctures, the proper use of garnishes and more.
“We can’t wait to bring back The Ginvitational,” ArtsQuest Senior Program Director Ryan Hill said.
“Jay Nee brings such a wealth of cocktail culture knowledge and has assembled an impressive team to teach you how to take your parties to the next level.”
'Commitment large, outcome larger'
New this year will be a Negroni station and an Aperol Spritz bar.
Food samples will be available from several Lehigh Valley restaurants, including Mr. Lee's Noodles, Pennsylvania Rye Company, The Wilbur Mansion, The Bayou, Nick's BBQ and Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti.
Disc jockeys NiteLiters LLC will play soul, funk and lounge classics throughout the event.
“I’m thrilled to see this year’s event unfold as we have returning favorites and newcomers that will excite attendees. This partnership showcases the Lehigh Valley as a destination for spirits and food forward events.”Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain
Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain brings more than 20 years of beverage hospitality experience and has presented more than 400 wine, beer and spirits events.
“I’m thrilled to see this year’s event unfold as we have returning favorites and newcomers that will excite attendees,” Nee said in a news release.
“This partnership showcases the Lehigh Valley as a destination for spirits and food forward events.
"This event has grown to showcase nearly 100 spirits of all types from near and far. It is our goal through education and demonstration, to empower our guests to elevate their own cocktail skills for home entertaining and really just to have some fun.
"It’s such an exciting time to be able to explore such wonderful craft producers. Utilizing the skills of the area’s best mixologists, we have so much great content. Bring some friends and raise a glass.”
Confirmed distillers and distributors include:
• 375 Park
• Allegheny Distilling LLC/Maggie’s Farm
• Black River Farms & Wardog Spirits
• Botl’d
• Campari
• Christmas City Spirits
• County Seat Spirits LLC
• Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
• Doan Distillery
• Edrington
• Hotaling & Co
• Kilimanjaro Distillery LLC
• Magical Spirits
• Oasis Wine & Spirits LLC
• Palm Bay International/Drumshambo Gunpowder Irish Gin
• Social Still Distillery
• Stray Dog Spirits LLC
