COCKTAIL GUIDE
Create eight all-Australian summer cocktails, inspired by eight very different cities, using all-Australian botanicals that harness the essential flavours of this nation.
THE SPIRIT OF SYDNEY INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 30ml pear purée or 1 fresh whole ripe pear muddled in Boston glass 10ml fresh lemon juice 1 fresh orange wedge 1 tsp. fresh honey or 15ml honey water (one part fresh honey to five parts boiling water)
METHOD
Place all ingredients except honey into Boston glass. Top with honey, shake well with ice and double strain into tumbler over cubed ice.
WHAT’S ON?
Dec. 26: Cheer the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Nielsen Park. Dec. 31: Thrill to the New Year’s Eve fireworks, Sydney Harbour.
THE SPIRIT OF CANBERRA INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 10ml Monin vanilla syrup 10ml fresh lemon juice 1 fresh medium dill sprig or stem 20ml blood orange juice
METHOD
Place dill in Boston glass and muddle gently. Add remaining ingredients and shake well with cubed ice. Double strain into coupe martini glass over cubed ice.
WHAT’S ON?
From Dec. 9: Marvel at Versailles: Treasures from the Palace, National Gallery of Australia. Dec. 10-11: Stock up for Christmas at the Handmade Market, Exhibition Park.
THE SPIRIT OF ADELAIDE INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 1 large slice of fresh watermelon or 1 handful of fresh watermelon pieces 6 fresh basil leaves 10ml fresh lemon juice 10ml Monin vanilla syrup
METHOD
Place watermelon pieces into Boston glass and, using a knife, carefully chop the watermelon as much as possible. Add remaining ingredients and shake well. Double strain into chilled martini glass.
WHAT’S ON?
Dec. 8–9: Hear Handel’s Messiah, Adelaide Town Hall. Dec. 11–30: Marvel at the festive Lights of Lobethal, Lobethal Valley.
THE SPIRIT OF MELBOURNE INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 30ml fresh lemon juice 25ml Monin vanilla syrup
METHOD
Place all ingredients into Boston glass and shake well with cubed ice. Double strain into chilled coupe martini glass.
WHAT’S ON?
Dec. 2–4: Shop at The Big Design Market, Royal Exhibition Building. Dec. 3–18: Discover Australia’s next tennis champion at the December Showdown, Rod Laver Arena.
THE SPIRIT OF BRISBANE INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 1 heaped tsp. cardamom sugar 1 whole passionfruit or 20ml passionfruit purée 15ml fresh lemon juice 30ml cloudy apple juice
METHOD
Using bar spoon, transfer all insides from a fresh passionfruit or pour purée into Boston glass. Add remaining ingredients. Shake well and double strain into chilled coupe martini glass.
WHAT’S ON?
From Dec. 9: Expand your mind at the Hadron Collider – Step Inside the World’s Greatest Experiment exhibition, Queensland Museum. Dec. 15–19: Watch the Australia v. Pakistan day/night test, The Gabba, Woolloongabba.
THE SPIRIT OF DARWIN INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 20ml mango purée (ideally from fresh mango) 15ml fresh lemon juice 1 thumbnail of fresh red chilli, finely chopped Sparkling water
METHOD
Shake and double strain first four ingredients into tall cocktail glass over cubed ice. Top with sparkling water.
WHAT’S ON?
Dec. 10: To mark the movie classic’s 21st anniversary, see the Darwin Symphony Orchestra perform Nigel Westlake’s score to Babe live to the film, Darwin Convention Centre. Dec. 14: Catch Paul Kelly and Charlie Owen on stage together, the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
THE SPIRIT OF HOBART INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 1 small handful of fresh rocket leaves 15ml homemade lavender syrup 25ml Dewlands The Taste of Lychee Juice or 25ml lychee purée 10ml fresh lemon juice
METHOD
Place all ingredients into Boston glass and shake well. Double strain into chilled coupe martini glass.
WHAT’S ON?
Dec. 30–Jan. 1: Share in the excitement (and catch the firing of the finishing canon) at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Hobart Waterfront. Dec. 28–Jan. 3: Celebrate Tasmania’s food and produce to a soundtrack of DJs and local musicians at The Taste of Tasmania, Hobart Waterfront.
THE SPIRIT OF PERTH INGREDIENTS
45ml Vantage 1 wedge each of fresh lemon, lime and orange 1 tsp. vanilla sugar
METHOD
Muddle the three citrus wedges and vanilla sugar in tumbler. Add small scoop of crushed ice, add spirit and churn well. Top with small scoop of crushed ice.
WHAT’S ON?
Dec. 3: Catch the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurf race, starting at Phillip Point, Rottnest Island, and finishing at Leighton Beach, Fremantle. Dec. 10: Join the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for Symphony in the City – a night under the stars (ending with fireworks), Langley Park, Perth.