SHAUN BYRNE bartender & author

Shaun Byrne has mixed drinks since he was allowed into bars, and hasn’t looked back. After working in the UK for four years, he came home to join Gin Palace in Melbourne, then launched Maidenii, an Australian vermouth brand, with winemaker Gilles Lapalus. In their first book, The Book of Vermouth, they show off the aromatised wine in all its glory. “Vermouth and cocktails go hand in hand,” he says. “I encourage you to grab a bottle.”