Best UK Drinks Festivals 2022

By Ellie Smith

2 years ago

Quench your thirst at these drink-focused events


What’s your favourite drink? Are you a gin connoisseur? Prosecco enthusiast? Oenophile? Whatever your tipple is, there’s a festival to match. Join fellow fans at the UK’s best drinks festivals, from a craft beer extravaganza to a celebration of Scottish whisky.

Best UK Drinks Festivals 2022

The Rosé Festival

Rosé wine

Kicking off the summer season is The Rosé Festival, which arrives at Fulham Palace for its debut event this May. A homage to summer wine and all things pink, guests can expect three days of wine, food, music and live entertainment set within the historic venue’s grounds. Over 40 rosé brands will be in residence, including headliners like Maison Mirabeau and Léoube, alongside a range of street food pop ups. The Central Tudor Courtyard, meanwhile, will see both restaurants and chefs partner with rosé brands to create a unique gastronomic experience for festival-goers to enjoy. 27 – 29 May 2022, the-rose-festival.com

London Craft Beer Festival

London Craft Beer Festival

Each year hundreds of craft beer fans unite for the London Craft Beer Festival, which takes place at Tobacco Dock. This year the event is pulling out all the stops for its 10th birthday, inviting all its favourite breweries from the past decade as well as some exciting newbies. It’s not all about the pints though – some of London’s top chefs will also be in residence, plus special music guests. 12 – 13 August 2022, londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest

Vineyards of Hampshire Wine Festival

The English sparkling wine scene has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, with a whole host of top producers making use of the soils of southern England. Hampshire Fizz Fest offers the chance to try some of the best of Hampshire, including Exton Park, Hattingley and Black Chalk. It takes place at the height of summer by the famous chalk stream The River Test, with an array of food from local producers and opportunities for mini vineyard and winery tours. 24 July 2022, vineyardsofhampshire.co.uk

Sussex Gin Fest

Now in its fifth year, the 2022 Sussex Gin Fest promises to be bigger and better than ever. A celebration of the craftsmanship of independent gin distillers from all over the world – with a focus on Sussex – the festival features gin demonstrations, live entertainment and a whole host of great food. Not to mention the beautiful surroundings: the festival takes place in Borde Hill Garden, 200 acres of traditional parkland with views across the Sussex High Weald. 9 July 2022, sussexginfest.com

London Cocktail Week

The Essence House

Whether you’re a cosmopolitan diehard or have a penchant for martinis, there’s something for all tastes at London Cocktail Month, one of the capital’s buzziest drinks festivals. It was originally called London Cocktail Week, but for the past couple of years the festival has extended throughout October – which means even more time for cocktail-related fun. Think masterclasses, immersive drinking experiences and bar crawls. October 2022, londoncocktailweek.com

English Wine & Food Festival

This summer event offers the chance to taste wines from vineyards across the Thames and Chilterns region. There’s something for all tastes – from exotic names like Bacchus and Phoenix to more classic varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – and if you find something you love, all bottles will be available to buy. Winemakers will be on hand to give you the lowdown too. Swerve the hangover by getting stuck into the food offering: choose from a hog roast, pizzas, sandwiches and more. 25 – 26 June 2022, englishwineandfoodfestival.co.uk

The London Coffee Festival

London Coffee Festival

Live for your morning espresso? Reckon you can tell your Arabiaca from your Robusta? Head to The Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch to get buzzed on caffeine. Become a latte art connoisseur, taste different varieties, learn about ethical bean sourcing and explore over 250 artisan coffee and gourmet food stalls. 31 March – 3 April 2022, londoncoffeefestival.com

The National Whisky Festival

Since being founded in 2015, The National Whisky Festival has grown from a single tasting to large events taking place across Scotland. It’s all about celebrating the traditions of whisky – while also exploring new styles and trends. Festivals take place in cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and offer the chance to sample over 200 whiskies from some of the top names in the industry alongside food from local vendors and live musicians. Visit the website for dates, nationalwhiskyfestival.scot

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