Cocktails came on to the scene towards the end of the 18th century, and have never stopped developing since, becoming fashion, with the new wave of "before, after, lounge…". Now, all barmen contend with one another to see who can produce the most creative and beautiful cocktails.

However, the genuine art of cocktail making is still reserved for professionals who have undergone the most rigorous and arduous training.

Each year since 1982, Marie Brizard offers training to barmen from all over the world in Bordeaux.

What is the International Bartender Seminar?

The Bartender Seminar is an opportunity to train French and foreign professional barmen, members of the ABF (Barmen's Association of France) or of national associations that are affiliated to the IBA (International Bartender Association), in the making of cocktails using liqueurs. Each year, more than 100 barmen are trained.

The main themes are: the production of liqueurs and the role they play in the making of cocktails the art of cocktail-making the customs and traditions of the barman trade the particularities of each country: trade practices, rules and differences… This training course traditionally end with a cocktail contest.

A recognised diploma: The profession as a whole acknowledges the quality of the course by giving official recognition to this diploma on an international scale. Marie Brizard has trained more than 1,000 barmen around the world.

Quality tuition: The training course is run by Lucien Dambreville: Former barman - former world number two in the cocktail/long drink category - and now ambassador for the Marie Brizard brand in France and abroad.

The organisers:

Organised by Marie Brizard and the ABF (Barmen's Association of France), this seminar is the concrete evidence of over 35 years of close relations.