Introducing your very own Mixologist - Ben Maguire

With a lifelong passion for all things spirits, drinks, and cocktails, Ben brings over a decade of hands-on experience and creative flair to every pour. His journey began in the bustling bars and cocktail lounges of Bristol during his university years, where he mastered the art of mixology under pressure and with style. In 2016, Ben charted his own course in the drinks world by launching HMS Spirits, a boutique distillery producing a globally award-winning portfolio of three gins and one spiced rum. As a WSET Level 2 Spirits graduate, his deep knowledge of global spirits underpins every drink he creates — from classic serves to inventive signatures. Beyond the distillery, he founded HMS Event Bars, a premium mobile bar service delivering high-end cocktail experiences at both intimate gatherings and large-scale celebrations. His skills have been showcased at prestigious venues and events including the Yacht Club de Monaco, Southampton International Boat Show, Monaco Yacht Show, Cannes Yacht Show, and even the Celebrity Ryder Cup. Ben has shared his expertise as a judge for the National Sri Lankan Bartenders Competition in 2024 and 2025, hosted The Mess Mixology Podcast on Yachting International Radio, and once mixed a cocktail atop a mountain at -3°C — proving that great drinks know no bounds. Now, guests can experience Ben’s signature mixology at sea. He is available to hire onboard the luxury charter catamaran Ra-Ra through Big Cat Boat Charters, creating unforgettable cocktail moments against the backdrop of stunning ocean vistas. Whether it’s a sundowner on deck or a midnight tipple under the stars, Ben brings not just the drink, but the story behind it. Did you know? The famous Espresso Martini was created in the 1980s by legendary British bartender Dick Bradsell when a young Kate Moss walked into his bar and asked for something to “wake her up and mess her up.” The rest, as they say, is cocktail history.