Your guide to Australian craft spirits & Melbourne's cocktail culture
What does the festive season taste like in Australia? Because of our wonkus southern hemisphere position, it’s a counterintuitive juxtaposition of spices intended to warm us through the darkest of winters and ripe summer fruits like pomegranate and cherries. It’s white wine in the sun and too many chocolates for […]
This Spiced Rum & Raisin Chocolate Naked Cake becomes decadent with a slathering of richly spiced cream cheese frosting (spiked with yet more rum!) and a salted rum caramel. Make this one your next weekend baking project. Spiced Rum & Raisin Chocolate Naked Cake 1 cup raisins or sultanas 1 […]
Despite the naturally intense candied blush of this cocktail, it’s a rather grown up prospect. It’s deceptively dry – due to a good whack of rhubarb – with a complex fragrance (hello there, polarising liquorice and pleasing vanilla). To make this celebratory aperitif, look for an anise-forward gin to add […]
An escape to the seaside is something most of us can only dream of right now. Instead, get creative at home with this elevated gin and tonic that’s akin to a refreshing wave splashing you right in the face. No complicated techniques or equipment required for this one. Rather, this […]
Never Never’s Fancy Fruit Cup combines their beloved Triple Juniper Gin with Marionette’s barrel-aged Orange Curaçao, secret spices and a splash of Earl Grey to create a local fruit cup intended for sipping in your backyard during an Australian summer. So it’s a bit like our very own Pimm’s. But […]
Whether you’re shopping for a boozy present (the best kind for grown-ups) or treating yourself, my seasonally-inspired craft spirits guide wraps up plenty of gift ideas for you below in a big red bow. Plus these suggestions are all-Australian! Below you’ll find Christmas whisky, Christmas rum, Christmas liqueur…and. all. the. […]
Today I’m featuring two cocktail recipes. One to see you through the fading days of Dry July (because bitters don’t count) and the other to ease you gently back into the less virtuous life! Drink makers and shakers Shaun Byrne (Marionette, Maidenii, Good Measure) and Nick Tesar (Marionette, Bar Liberty, […]
Featuring cucumber and a decent kick of wasabi, this cocktail is both hot and cool at once. Inspired by Imperial Measures Distilling’s Ounce gin ‘Bold‘ taking out the Champion Gin title at the 2019 Australian Distilled Spirit Awards, Captain Baxter‘s resident “cocktail slinger” Rebecca Beckett has created this gin cocktail […]
There are at least a few good things about Melbourne’s blasted winter. ‘Tis the season for mulled mine, hot buttered rum and fireside sip sessions. And truffles! Stokebar have exclusively shared their recipe for the luxurious cocktail below, for those of you with sophisticated tastes. It’s brimming with the earthy flavours […]
This blushingly pink cheesecake is rather grown up and surprisingly dry in flavour (you can add extra sugar to taste if you’re a sweet-tooth). You can really taste the gin and tonic in this one so be sure to use a punchy gin with plenty of character to hold up to […]