Competing bars confirmed for the competition include include Red Door, Salt Dog Slims, The Alchemist, 23 Fleet Street, Smugglers Cove, Moloko, Sound Food and Drink, Some Place and Brass Monkey.

Liverpool’s bartenders will compete this weekend to see who can create the best cocktails.

Representing nine of the city’s bars, the bartenders will be showing off their talents to crowds at the  Liverpool Food and Drink Festival in Sefton Park.

They will be taking up the challenge to create some “utterly unique” cocktails using Matugga Rum as the key ingredient.

Competing bars confirmed for the competition include include Red Door, Salt Dog Slims, The Alchemist, 23 Fleet Street, Smugglers Cove, Moloko, Sound Food and Drink, Some Place and Brass Monkey.

In a series of eight rounds over the two days of the festival visitors can watch some of the city’s most creative talents in action, flaring, shaking, mixing and pouring their creations.

They all hope to be crowned festival competition winner by master bartender Mark Lloyd, ambassador for Matugga Rum.

Mr Rutasikwa said: “It’s great for Matugga Rum to make its debut at the festival in such a big way.

“We’ve spent a great deal of time in Liverpool over the past few years as we developed our craft rums, speaking to bar owners and customers.

“Liverpool is a city that truly loves its cocktails, and with the scale and reputation of the food and drink festival, it seemed like perfect opportunity for us to support the event.”

Festival director Denise Harris added: “The Cocktail Competition has always been one of our favourite parts of the festival.

“It’s fast and furious and lots and lots of fun. We’re thrilled to have a new brand involved with the event this year as sponsor and we’re sure that visitors are going to enjoy watching the competition heats, cheering on their favourite bars.”