Summer in London may be a hazy memory by October but it doesn't meant that you can't join in the carnival spirit when rum takes over the capital on the 12th and 13th for RumFest 2013. Casual rum drinkers and connoisseurs alike will flock to ExCel Exhibition Centre to show their appreciation for Blackbeard's very own favourite tipple. With rum being the UK's fastest growing spirit in popularity, you can bet that this event will be packed out so make sure to book your tickets soon.

Exchange your rum token for a sample of one of the best rums on the market or a professionally mixed cocktail. There will be over 400 of the rarest rums from across the globe all under one roof. However, aside from the obvious samplings, the industry's tops distillers, mixologists and general afficainados will be brought together for talks, masterclasses and seminars. Rum battles and demonstrations will be taking place between world class mixologists all set to live reggae and samba beats and dancers creating an electric carnival atmosphere. For discerning grog drinkers, Connoisseur's Cove forms an exclusive haven set away from the carnival crowd for a more relaxed enjoyment of the rarest premium rums the festival has to offer.

If you're in need of something to soak up all of that rum, there's also a tropical food market where traders have brought along their signature flavours from across the rum regions of the Caribbean, South America and Africa. There's also a demo kitchen where TV chef Hasan De Four will be hosting rum-cooking masterclasses as well as revealing the best food and rum combos. If you have even the faintest interest in rum, head to this festival in London for some tipsy, carnival fun.