A decade of daiquiris downed! Happy big birthday, Manchester Rum Festival
CHEERS to a great anniversary coming up on Saturday, July 4, celebrating one of the great gifts from the Americas. And I don’t mean “Freedom 250’ in Washington DC, a tribute to the overblown Trump masquerading as a significant US Independence Day. Altogether merrier, this side of the Pond, is a boozy jamboree marking a decade of Manchester Rum Festival. And its founder Dave Marsland, has pulled out all the stops for this daylong tasting in the iconic New Century Hall.
Speech, speech, ‘President Dave! “Rum isn’t just a drink, the spirit has helped shape empires, fuelled pirate legends and rewritten global trade forever. It’s a liquid time capsule steeped in centuries of adventure, rebellion and power. Born in the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, rum became the heartbeat of sailors, merchants and even navies, earning a legendary status that still echoes through global history today.
“We are so proud that our wonderful city can be part of the story with the annual festival – it has truly become a world class event attracting brands from every corner of the planet. This year should be epic, the best yet, with over 40 brands, 100 rums, showcasing just how versatile this incredible spirit really is.”
I am glad to have been on that rum journey most years. Lost count of daiquiris downed. Good to see the festival continues to surprise. The 2026 edition welcomes an exciting wave of first-time exhibitors, with new arrivals representing destinations including Japan, Belize and Mauritius.
Returning favourites will once again feature prominently throughout the festival, with much-loved names including Chairman’s Reserve of Saint Lucia, Pusser’s Rum, Gosling’s of Bermuda, Clément from Martinique and Jamaica’s Hampden Estate all set to appear.
Stand-outs include festival newcomers Windrush 1027 Classic Rum and the Rolling Stones’ own riff on the spirit, Crossfire Hurricane Rum.
The first is “a refined tribute to the journey that shaped a new era of British culture. Blends distilled in Jamaica and Dominica from the finest sugarcane molasses and aged in oak barrels, this golden spirit can be sipped neat, over ice, or be mixed into classic cocktails. A rum that remembers, and reimagines.”
The Empire Windrush and its 1,027 passengers sailed from Trinidad, Jamaica, Tampico and Bermuda to Britain in 1948. 20 years later the Stones unleashed Jumpin’ Jack Flash, its first line reading “I was born in a cross-fire hurricane.” Over half a century later they have a new album out, but will it pack the punch of this 80 proof blend of rums from Jamaica, Barbados and the Dominican Republic?
The spirit was created in collaboration with Ian Burrell (above). I recall one interviewing the legendary rum ambassador to name his faves. His diplomatic reply: “My three favourite rums are the one in my glass, the next one, and a free one. There are so many great rums out there it would be impossible to narrow it down to a few brands. Plus some rums work better in a particular situation than others.’
Best rum cocktail, Ian? “Has to be the Daiquiri. Rum, lime and sugar. Simple. The rum trinity. But I regularly drink Burrell Daiquiris – 2 parts lightly aged rum, 1 part fresh lime juice, 0.5 parts Blue Agave nectar, 3 dashes of Angostura Orange Bitters and a twist of orange peel.’
Of course the cocktail offering is one of the great delights of every Manchester Rum Festival. Once again MONIN will take over the cocktail bar, presenting four rum-focused serves created in collaboration with venues from across Manchester, offering visitors a fresh way to experience the spirit. Fellow fesival partners Carib Lager will be on hand to provide chilled palate cleansers. Ballast? Sanka’s Caribbean Kitchen are making their debut. Music? DJ Dom returns with a danceable soundtrack of Soca and Reggae.
Rum Ramble seminars are back
The Rum Ramble seminar series will return with four sessions, taking place inside the New Century Hall Lecture Theatre and offering visitors a deeper dive into the stories, craft and culture behind some of the world’s most exciting rum producers. Designed for enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, the sessions will explore everything from naval heritage and global rum traditions to flavour innovation and cocktail culture, led by respected voices from across the industry.
This year’s line-up includes Let’s Go Banana’s: Explore the South Pacific with Cargo Cult Rum, hosted by Sydney Rum Distillery CEO Steve Magarry, alongside From the Docks to the Bottle: Mr Fogg’s True Navy Rum Explained with Planteray Rum ambassador Paul McFadyen.
Guests can also discover unexpected rum-making regions during Rum Without Borders: A Global Discovery of Unexpected Origins, hosted by Marcos “Rum Interest” Pilavakis and Robert “Robban” Sandqvist, before closing the day with Cocktails: They’re a Rum Old Thing, a session led by MONIN beverage expert Nate Booker exploring rum’s versatility in modern cocktails.
Manchester Rum Week 2026
Also, returning for the second year to support the city’s amazing bars, Manchester Rum Weekwill take place in the run up to the festival from Monday, June 29 to Sunday, July 5 2026, showcasing the very best rum cocktails across Greater Manchester. Some of the city’s top bars will be offering exclusive cocktails, special offers and bespoke menus, all created by Manchester’s talented bartending community. Venues already confirmed include Exhibition, Turtle Bay, Blinker, Posie, 10 Tib Lane and MDNT – with more still to be announced.
And there’s an extra party, too…
Ticket holders for Manchester Rum festival 2026 will also get access to the official Manchester Rum Festival birthday party this year, hosted at The Morris, which promises to be bags of fun for those that love rum.
Grab your ticket now
Tickets are on sale via DesignMyNight, with General Admission priced at £25 and Rum Ramble seminar sessions available for £10 per person (both excluding booking fees). A full list of exhibitors is available here.
