Update #4 / October 2020
There’s a (cherry spiced) rum party happening this month in Melbourne – you should come along…virtually!
Update #3 / August 3, 2020
Below are even more good things to taste, try, watch, shop & do at home in stage 4.
1. Book in to enjoy a deluxe cocktail and chocolate pairing experience with chocolate expert Fiamma Life and mixologist Monsieur Cocktail.
2. Make a date to join the Melbourne makers of Rum Diary Spiced to celebrate World Rum Day. You’ll taste a range of their drops and learn all about that state of cane spirits from here and beyond.
3. Save the date for a masterclass evening with Sullivan’s Cove whisky’s head distiller Heather Tillott hosted by Wolfe & Molone.
4. Pop your puppy in the running to be immortalised in Harlow new rooftop mural. Here’s how.
5. Make a spritz. Learn about Prosecco. Feast on anti-pasto. Do it all at Vino Bambino and Michelangelo Osteria’s virtual 10th anniversary party ‘Aperitivo Michaelangelo‘. They’ll bring out the 80s and 90s funk soundtrack, too.
6. Experiment with a hot new craft spirits release from an Australian distiller. I’ve now got my eye on Nosferatu’s ‘Giselle‘ pavlova gin. What’s on your hit list?
7. Try a little piece of Broome without travelling, with Moontide Distillery‘s offer for Victorians in lock down. Buy their gin or anise spirit and receive a $25 voucher for your next order.
8. Grab some interesting reading material. Max Allen’s just released a new book – Intoxicating – about 10 drinks that shaped Australia’s history.
9. Invite yourself along to Casa de Vinos’ lock-in tasting party to raise funds for the COVID-19 EAD initiative (who run the Meals for Hospo project). You’ll sample Victorian beer, cocktails, gin and whisky and liqueurs from Bodriggy, Patient Wolf, Starward, That Spirited Lot and Don Giovanni and meet the makers.
10. Print and play this unofficial version of Melbourne Monopoly which takes your piece (dibs on the Scottie dog!) around some key local bars and night spots.
Don’t forget to drink better, drink “slow” and schedule some alcohol free days into your iso-week.
Update #2 / July 28, 2020
Here are another 10 good things to taste, try, watch, shop & do at home this week (other than baking yet another loaf of sourdough).
1. Try whipping up this Guvvos Fancy G&T recipe with Great Ocean Road Gin if you like the taste of the sea.
2. Cocktails at home become even tastier when The Everleigh Bottling Co is offering 10% off with the code ‘LIFTYOURSPIRITS’. For orders over $30 until midnight July 31.
3. Poor Toms is stepping on rum’s toes with this one. They’re releasing a limited release, pina colada inspired gin tomorrow. Get in quick to pre-order yourself a bottle of pineapple/coconut/juniper goodness.
4. Another whisky is joining the Starward family, permanently. ‘Fortis’ is a single malt, aged in American Oak (ex-red wine casks from the Barossa) and is a bolder 50% ABV. Sign up to their mailing list to be among the first to nab the limited release Batch 1.
5. Have you ordered Moondog’s pub-in-a-box yet? Recreate that beer garden experience in your backyard. BYO parmas.
6. Stock up safely on Threefold’s ‘Aromatic Gin’ fragrant with rosemary, grapefruit and lavender and receive one of their house-label hand sanitisers plus a generous refill for free. While stocks last.
7. Book tix to take a gin tour with our northern neighbours via Casa de Vinos. Virtually visit 5 NSW distillers and taste their wares along the way.
8. Break out of your usual G&T routine and become a member of Beneath Driver Lane’s Gin & Tonic Club. They’ll send you a duo of carefully selected complimentary or contrasting gins, tonic and garnishes each week (or fortnightly or monthly, depending on how parched you are).
9. Find yourself with spare time to feed your mind? Order a copy of new book ‘Intoxicated‘ (try your local indy bookstore online) and let drink expert Max Allen take you through 10 drinks that helped change Australian history.
10. Gather your household and attempt to find all 73 cocktail names hidden in this illustration. Let me know if you need help! Zooming in is your friend.
Update #1 / July 20, 2020
Here are 10 random things to taste, try, watch, shop & do at home this week (other than look up cute face masks on Etsy)!
1. Secure your place at the The Gin Birds’ next Gin and Zoom tasting with Strangelove to support Victorian distillers like Tiny Bear, That Spirited Lot & Patient Wolf.
2. Transport yourself to Tassie (virtually) for a bbq-inspired bourbon tasting with Hobart Whisky and Mr Whiskz.
3. Try your luck to win cocktails in Great Ocean Road Gin’s giveaway. Ends today!:
4. Or get more experimental & contribute your home bar creations to Anther’s ‘ Stay Connected’ cocktail-making comp to possibly score some gin.
5. Bored with vegemite toast for breakfast again? You’re in iso – and probably not driving to work – so you can order Waterslide‘s liquid Bartender’s Breakfast coffee cocktail (among other adults-only drinks) & no one will ever know.
6. Grab tickets for The Whisky List’s Virtual Aus Whisky Show. Visit 18 different local distilleries in the comfort of your PJs.
7. Join in on Okar’s interactive ‘Lift Your Spirits’ live streams every Mon, Wed and Friday after 6.30 to nerd out about amaro, spirits & mixology.
8. Listen out for the Open Bar podcast as they chat about just about everything boozy. It’s live on Tues 6pm. Catch up here.
9. Curatif’s launching a private cocktail club soon (simply named ‘The Club’) where you can access member-only exclusive releases to your door. Follow their socials now to find out how to be among the first to gain access.
10. High Country distillery Backwoods is about to release their 1st ever single malt whisky. Get your details put on their mailing list for a chance to grab one of only 250 bottles online.
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Hey Melbourne, for the next six weeks you could work on building or stocking your ultimate home bar.
You could support your neighbours and ensure there’s a thriving scene to return to once this is all over by vowing to only purchase drinks from local bars, distilleries and independent bottle shops.
You could experiment with new mixology methods. Or up your garnish game. I’d love to see what you come up with.
But whatever you do, please – please – stay home.
Meanwhile, our #Quarantini Series on Instagram will be dedicated to continuously updating you on:
- virtual tastings and masterclasses
- online live shows and podcasts about cocktails and craft spirits
- cocktail take away and delivery services around Melbourne
- original and easy cocktail recipes for you to make at home
- spirits sales and specials offer (especially those with free delivery)
- new craft spirits releases to try
You can also find virtual events and “happy hour at home” updates over on the DrinkMelbourne Facebook page.
If we’re all responsible, I’ll see you at the bar again soon!
Don’t forget to drink better, drink “slow” and schedule some alcohol free days into your iso-week.