Your guide to Australian craft spirits & Melbourne's cocktail culture
What soundtrack makes vodka taste better? Here’s Looking At You Kid Spirits (HLAYK) is the brand new Melbourne distillery seeking to answer that question. An impromptu enrolment in a gin masterclass, while on a trip to Scotland, was the catalyst for head distiller (and chef/early pioneer of Melbourne’s food truck scene) […]
Warning: flower bomb ahead. I found myself with a wee bottle of Wild Rose Gin by new Melbourne distillery Here’s Looking at You Kid and some free time on a sun-dappled Sunday afternoon. It inspired me to create this Secret Garden Sour, itself named after Le Jardin Secret, a famous […]
When Andrew McConnell permanently installed his Supernormal Canteen pop-up this winter, St Kilda was treated to a pictorial drinks list, smoky yakitori and a “trophy cabinet” full of rare and unusual sakes. Supernormal’s Head Bartender Michael Calamante explains that, when making cocktails at home to match your Friday night take-away (or Deliveroo-ed […]
Yes, this cocktail recipe has zucchini in it! Trust us on this. This drink is inspired by new Melbourne-via-Niigata-Prefecture sake, Toji. The water in their Junmai Daiginjo sake (that’s the best type) comes from melted snow trickling on down from the Asahi mountain range to the Toji brewery. To reflect this […]
Tia Maria recently chose coffee from bespoke roaster Streat to showcase their collection of signature coffee cocktails in Melbourne. The (ridiculously good) Iced Popcorn Frappe recipe below is our take on one of those. The toasty, buttery popcorn, plus the subtle salt hit, pairs easily with earthy, smooth coffee. You’ve probably tried […]
The return of Spring means the social season is upon us. We predict many mornings-after-the-nights-before in your near future. It pays to have a good hangover remedy at the ready. Prep ahead and try our easier, at-home version of Pascale Bar and Grill‘s upscale take on the classic Bloody Mary […]
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 […]
In honour of the unveiling of NGV’s lauded ‘The House of Dior’ exhibition, couture cocktails can now be found at Atrium on 35 (Sofitel Melbourne on Collins’ loftily glamourous bar). Their limited time ‘Code of Conduct’ cocktail menu features a quartet of drinks that take after Dior’s own signature design codes. ‘The Line’ […]
Other than the requisite #alloftherosé, what types of wine should we be drinking this Spring? “Artisanal”, wines from small producers and natural wines are the go-tos. Big, heavy alcoholic wines are out. Lighter, leaner wines, suited to everyday drinking, are the preferred styles of a new generation of winemaker. By […]
Dark chocolate and red wine. This antioxidant-rich duo goes together so often for a reason. I recently found myself with a half bottle of lovely The Cloak Sangiovese on hand and decided to make the most of both it and the last days of winter. Maybe due to the fact that […]