Above Board is a palate cleanser. Hayden Lambert’s (ex-Bar Americano) under-the-radar bar has quietly been subverting the idea of what a cocktail bar could and should be since it first opened late last year. There’s no neon signs, floss or garish garnishes here. There’s not even a back bar or bottles or brands (other than the merest hint of the bar’s own name) in sight. It can be mildly unnerving to the first time patron but Hayden’s concept quickly comes into focus. Above Board has been pared down to highlight the essential ingredients and the venue’s strengths; clean, tasty drinks and the relationship between bartender and patron. As it should be. He’s kindly shared the recipe for the bar’s best selling cocktail – the HSL Special – below.

– HSL Special –

– Ingredients –
35mls Amaro Montenegro
15mls Creme de Mure
25mls fresh lime juice
7.5mls sugar syrup
1 dash of Absinthe
fresh blackberry, for garnish
icing sugar, for garnish

– Method –
Shake all ingredients over ice. Strain into a rocks glass over cracked ice. Garnish with a fresh blackberry, dusted with icing sugar

Find Above Board, Level 1, 306 Smith Street, Collingwood. Enter via Beermash if it’s open or Chopper Lane (or better yet, have a friend whos already been show you the way!)