A ‘grand’ birthday present marks World Cocktail Day | News

May 2026

A ‘grand’ birthday present to mark World Cocktail Day

By Claire Huggins

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Read time: approx 6 mins

Header image credit: The Grand Hotel and Hospitality & Catering News

As part of The Grand Hotel Birmingham’s year long programme of cultural collaborations celebrating its fifth birthday, the hotel revealed a new signature cocktail available at Isaac’s and Downstairs at The Grand, which was created by one of our students, on World Cocktail Day (13 May).

Showcasing Birmingham's talent, the collaboration forms one of five creative partnerships the hotel is curating throughout its anniversary year, that reinterpret the The Grand Hotel experience for guests and the city alike. By inviting University College Birmingham students to design a bespoke cocktail, the hotel is celebrating both its milestone year and the next generation of hospitality professionals shaping the city.

Six students from our Events Management BA (Hons), International Hospitality and Tourism Management BA (Hons) and International Hospitality Management MSc courses, tested their creative skills and were encouraged to “Be bold. Be creative. Think like a bartender, but also like a brand”.

The submissions

Cherry Tequila Sour: Aayush Khadka
Five Years in Bloom: Rupak Shrestha (finalist)
Golden Grand Fizz: Yogesh Thorat (finalist)
Grand Velvet Five: Roshan Sunar
Quintessentially Purple: Codie Davis (finalist)
The Grand Blossom Royale: Jenita Rai (finalist)

"Competitions like this allow me to improve my creativity, gain confidence, and learn from other talented people in the industry. It has motivated me even more, to continue developing myself."

Roshan Sunar (Grand Velvet Five) International Hospitality and Tourism Management BA (Hons)

The brief

This was an opportunity for students to harness their individual flair and spirit of adventure, to create something tangible that could be enjoyed by hotel guests in the year to come.

Students were challenged to create a cocktail that embodied innovation, quality and a sense of occasion, all qualities central to The Grand Hotel’s blend of Victorian heritage and contemporary luxury. They were encouraged to consider flavour balance, presentation, storytelling and how their drink would enhance the guest experience at one of Birmingham’s most iconic venues.

The project offered students a real world industry brief, enabling them to develop professional level recipes, pitch their concepts and receive feedback from senior hotel staff. It also highlighted the strong partnership between the University and Birmingham’s hospitality sector, giving students access to enrichment opportunities in the heart of the city.

“Being in the heart of Birmingham’s vibrant hospitality scene means that our students can benefit from impactful enrichment opportunities like this,” explained Karla Keating-Nel, Deputy Head of the Department for Hospitality and Tourism.

“The Grand Hotel has a well-deserved reputation for style and refinement and expected nothing less to feature on its cocktail menu. It’s a special moment to be asked to play such a significant part of their birthday celebrations.”

Five Years in Bloom on the menu

And the winner is…

Rupak Shrestha won on the night with his bespoke cocktail ‘Five Years in Bloom’.

“Entering the cocktail competition at Grand Hotel Birmingham was a chance for me to challenge myself creatively and showcase the kind of drinks I’m passionate about,” said Rupak.

“I wanted to create something that genuinely reflected my style and personality behind the bar.

“Having my creation chosen represents recognition from respected people within the industry and validates the hard work, experimentation, and passion that went into developing the drink.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to grow professionally, connect with other talented bartenders and continue pushing myself creatively in hospitality.

“I was truly honoured and grateful for this opportunity.”

"The exceptionally high standard of entries from all six students came as no surprise and making the final decision was tough. My personal thanks go to all the students for supporting the initiative, and for their passion and creativity."

Johan Scheepers General Manager, The Grand Hotel

Accompanying the students on the night were University staff and team members from The Grand Hotel. They witnessed Rupak being awarded the opportunity to create his winning entry behind the bar, and a framed menu featuring Five Years in Bloom topping the cocktail list.

“The exceptionally high standard of entries from all six students came as no surprise,” said Johan Scheepers, General Manager of The Grand Hotel, who announced the winner on the night.

“Making the final decision was tough, but in the end, we felt that Five Years in Bloom, captured all the elements that sit at the core of our provision today; heritage, prestige and longevity.

“My personal thanks go to all the students for supporting the initiative, and for their passion and creativity.

“I’d like to wish Rupak many congratulations on his winning submission, which I am confident, will be an instant hit on our menu.”

The collaboration not only celebrates The Grand Hotel’s fifth birthday but also showcases the creativity and professionalism of our students. The winning cocktail will now feature on the menu for Isaac’s and Downstairs at the Grand, offering guests a taste of the talent emerging from both the University and the city it serves.

Speaking after the event, Karla Keating-Nel added:

“I am incredibly proud of all six of the students who entered the competition, they excelled themselves in their creativity and skilled understanding of taste combinations.

“Many congratulations to Rupak for the winning entry.”

Find out more about our hospitality and tourism courses.

Photo carousel with thanks to Karla Keating-Nel and The Grand Hotel (courtesy of The Relationship).