DRINKS edit
A TRIO OF WINNERS New Zealand has been cleaning up in drinks competitions here and abroad. Here are three producers we’re raising our glass to.
FLAVOUR FUSION
We love the fun flavours hitting the beer shelves of late, including Liberty Brewing Co’s new Raspberry Roller Milkshake Sour beer, a limited-edition taste sensation that starts off tart and finishes creamy. Think Raspberry K Bar with a mouthful of milk and beer – which sounds odd but definitely works on the palate. $11.99, libertybrewing.co.nz.
SHOP AND SIP
Luxury department store Faradays, in Parnell’s iconic Textile Centre, has opened a bar for some sophisticated respite when your retail therapy is done. The drinks menu is as decadent as the surroundings with wines from merchants Maison Vauron, plus top-notch champagnes. There are small bites to accompany, served on Ginori 1735 plateware. At 8 Faraday St, Parnell, faradays.store.
1 SCAPEGRACE RTDs
Scapegrace just keeps collecting the wins – this time for two of its vodka RTDs. The Beverage Testing Institute awards held in the US handed out gold for Scapegrace’s Red Delicious Apple & Pear and Hawke’s Bay Lime vodka and soda RTDs, which only launched in late 2021. For the full range, see scapegracedistillery.com.
2 MCARTHUR RIDGE WINES
McArthur Ridge took home two prestigious trophies at the New Zealand International Wine Show in early 2022 – Champion Pinot Noir for its McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir 2020 and Champion Rosé for its McArthur Ridge Lilico Pinot Rosé 2021. To top off a winning night, McArthur’s Matt Connell was named Champion Wine Maker. See mcarthurridge.nz.
3 BROKEN HEART VODKA
World-beating vodka is being made right here in Queenstown. Broken Heart Spirits beat winners from 18 other countries to be the World’s Best Pure Neutral Vodka at the World Drinks Awards. Owner and master distiller Joerg Henkenhaf explains that the 40 percent proof vodka is “made with the finest spring water, creating a delectably pure and clean vodka with soft notes of citrus.” See brokenheartspirits.com.