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DRINKS MAD MARCH HARE March may come in like a li
on and go out like a lamb, but we have our eyes fixed on a different kind of animal this month as a delicious Poitín from Mad March Hare makes its presence felt on cocktails menus across the city. Crafted with local malted and un-malted barley in West Cork, then triple distilled in small copper pot stills, a glass or two reveals the uncompromising commitment to quality that has made this little beast one of the world’s leading poitín brands. The exceptionally smooth pour recently featured in a special Paddy’s Week takeover in New York, where the ‘bartender’s bartender’ Oisin Davis mixed it up in style before serving up a taste of Belfast Coffee to some very thirsty Yanks. The city’s booze lovers get to see what all the fuss is about at a number of venues here this month, with a variety of cocktails featuring the spirit at bars throughout the city. Curious imbibers can sample the aforementioned Belfast Coffee, a Poitín Paloma or a Poitín Punch at Dublin hostelries including 777, JT Pimms, Ciss Maddens, Rag Trader, and Drury Buildings. Slainte! madmarchharepoitin.com ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS Novice wine aficionados interested in discovering more about the range of flavours and textures involved in their favourite new tipple are invited to a special event dedicated to the subject this April. The relaxed evening gets underway with a tasting of prosecco, following which the convivial folk at The Wine Buff in Rathmines will be uncovering concepts including ‘nose’ and ‘palate’, before getting into the serious business of tasting. As part of a blind tasting session they’ll be uncorking two white wines and three red wines, while helping participants to figure out the grapes involved in each. The two hour tasting session takes place at the Wine Buff store in Rathmines from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday April 9th, and is open to newbies and anyone interested in learning more about the wide and varied world of wine. Tickets €25 via Eventbrite. thewinebuff.com POLISH WINE FEST There’s a salubrious afternoon in store as the Polish Wine Fest returns to the Fumbally Stables for its fourth iteration this April. Building on the success of previous years, expert wine journalist Maciej Nowicki will once again be on hand to facilitate a brace of viticultural masterclasses and tastings focused on the wines of his native land. The 2025 event also features wine pairing experiences with Irish oysters from Sea Shanty restaurant in Blackrock, while we look forward to seeing a number of those behind some of Poland’s most popular wines making their festival debuts. Chat with the makers, sample their wares, and bag yourself some refreshing bottles to savour at home later. Zdrówko! 12-7pm, Sunday April 6th. Tickets €40 via Eventbrite. 36