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LA NUVOLA
14-15 SEPT 2026
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The cocktail world has changed dramatically over the past few years. Consumer tastes have shifted, sustainability has become essential, low-intervention techniques are replacing excessive complexity, and bartenders are rediscovering classic spirits through a modern lens. At the centre of this evolution sits one spirit with more diversity than any other—rum.
In this engaging, entertaining and educational seminar, The Award winning Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell explores how rum has become one of the most exciting categories behind today’s cocktail renaissance. From the rise of Daiquiri culture and tropical minimalism to modern highballs, clarified cocktails, savoury drinks and premium sipping serves, Ian demonstrates why rum is now inspiring some of the world’s most innovative bartenders.
Combining history, storytelling, live demonstrations, industry insight and tasting, this seminar explains how post-pandemic drinking habits have transformed cocktail menus and why rum’s incredible diversity allows it to thrive in every modern drinks trend.
Whether you’re a bartender, bar owner, brand ambassador or passionate cocktail enthusiast, you’ll leave with fresh inspiration, practical knowledge and a deeper appreciation of how rum continues to shape the future of mixology.
Ian Burrell, the award winning “EduTainer”, has redefined the definition of an international spirits ambassador. An ex professional basketball player in the UK and international recording artist, he has now established himself as the world’s ONLY recognised Global Ambassador for the rum category.
He has conducted masterclasses and seminars, sipped cocktails and judged competitions on no less than 7 continents around the world. And in 2014 he even took the time to break the Guinness World Record for the largest organised rum tasting & masterclass.
His passion for rum and cocktails is infectious and in 2007 he not only created the world’s first international Rum festival (The UK RumFest), he also inspired the birth of rum festivals around the world including Miami, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Prague, Hong Kong, California, New York, Chicago and Mauritius. As an “Edu-tainer”, he is in constant demand by various rum companies and organisations to give key note speeches, rum tastings, cocktail presentations and demonstrations to trade & consumers alike. Ian is also currently the rum &; cocktail specialist on television’s channel 4 entertainment show,” Sunday Brunch”, where he is regularly seen by millions of viewers educating celebrity guests on various rums and rum cocktails.
But what is even more remarkable is that he is the Spirited Awards 7-time final four nominee and 2018 winner of the International Brand Ambassador of the year at the prestigious Spirited Awards part of The Tales of the Cocktail celebrations in New Orleans, even though Ian doesn’t represent any single brand, but a category. In 2019 Ian was voted by his peers at the THINK RUM event in London held by Agile Media as Rum’s Champion. He has also launched his first Rum festival in Miami, USA called The Miami Rum Congress which focuses on education and Rum Experiences in the America. In 2020 Ian was voted 10th most influential person in the World Drinks industry by Drinks International.
