VENUES SERVING UP THE BEST PARTIES
A BRAND new pink drink has been created at Ochre in time for Melbourne Cup celebrations.
Aptly named, The Fascinator was created by bar manager Martin Lewczak.
Mr Lewczak said his secret ingredient was juice from the riberry, a native Australian berry found on lilli pilli trees.
“The cocktail has got riberry, gin, lemon juice and egg white in it,” he said.
“We called it The Fascinator because it’s pretty and it’s the Melbourne Cup so the name fits nicely.
“It’s not on the list right now though, so it will be a special for Melbourne Cup day.”
But the cocktail isn’t the only thing Ochre is doing a little differently this year.
Ochre owner Craig Squire said the restaurant would be eschewing traditional Melbourne Cup Day luncheons for a more laid-back event.
“Some people are sick of the expensive tickets to get through the doors for Melbourne Cup and then having to sit through hours of speeches and announcements,” he said.
”We’ll be doing a more informal meal with our usual a la carte menu and a set two- or three-course menu.”
Mr Squire said this option was ideal for people who could only pop out of work for an hour or two to celebrate the day.
“It’s less expensive for the average person and it means they don't have to waste time listening to speeches,” he said.
“They can just come in and have a good time with the sweeps and good food before they have to head back to work.”
It’s just one of the fresh takes on Melbourne Cup in Cairns this year.
Several Melbourne Cup events are giving their all to charity, while others have all eyes on the fashions on the field prize.
Cairns Jockey Club’s Melbourne Cup Luncheon will feature a fashions on the field competition with judges Tim Marsh, Bernice Patton and Stacie Galeano.
Open menswear, ladies 25 and under, open ladies and gold class ladies will all be able to compete at the event at Silks Pavilion at Cannon Park.
The registration desk opens at noon and closes at 1.30pm outside the Silks Pavilion.
Tickets to the Cairns Jockey Club’s Melbourne Cup Lunch are available from cairnsjockeyclub.com.au