Archive for category Cocktails
It’s World Cocktail Week!
Posted by amystown in Cocktails, Melbourne, Melbourne CBD on May 10, 2012
It’s World Cocktail Week! That’s right, a week dedicated to celebrating the wonderful cocktail.
Kicking off in Sydney on May 4th Keystone World Cocktail Week has been host to a number of weird and wonderful events with over 3000 participants. It will run until Sunday the 13th of May.
The World Bar Chat Championships, Yep…you read right, has to be my favouite event of the week. Eight of Australia’s best bartenders, including Melbourne’s own Chris Hysted ( from Black Pearl) battled it out to see who had the best bar banter.
Anyway…it is no secret that I love cocktails, and it doesn’t take World Cocktail Week for me to celebrate these delicious creations, but celebrate I am.
In an attempt to find out more about the Cocktail and exactly what those in the know have to say, I decided to talk to some of Melbourne’s most loved bartenders, restaurateurs, chefs and industry folk. My request was simple…what are you drinking right now? It was no surprise that the answers were as varied as the cocktail itself. Some had a simple answer while others found it more difficult to choose. I even got a response of “I like beer and bitches”…but that was only a joke thank goodness.
So fearless readers, I bring you a list of favourite cocktails from those who make them, shake them, supply them, drink them, pay the hand that makes them and even those who review them. Enjoy…
Ash Cranston and Steed Sherriff, Co-Owners of Rose Diner and Bar in Port Melbourne, aren’t sharing drinks. Ash likes to sip on a Sweet Manhattan on the Rocks while Steed notes the Zombie as his favourite.
Nathan from Black Pearl says that his favourite cocktail at the moment is a Whisky Mac – equal parts Whisky and Ginger Wine.
Lachlan from Lily Blacks tells me that they have been creating some of the more obscure classic cocktails lately and since World Cocktail Week they have been particularly enjoying the ‘Claridge’ – 30ml Dry gin, 30ml Dry Vermouth, 10ml Countreau and 10ml Apricot Brandy, stirred over ice and served in a chilled coupette, as well as the ‘Brooklyn’ twist – 50ml Rye Whiskey, 15ml Dry Vermouth, 15ml Ramazzotti and finished with Maraschini Liqueur. Stirred over ice and served in a chilled coupette with a grapefruit twist.
Americano – Bar Americano
The guys over at The Age Good Bar Guide (Out June 9) like to keep things simple with a Dry Martini made with really good gin.
Speaking of Gin, Jeremy from The West Winds Gin told me a favourite drink depends on his state of mind, location and venue. This being said he loves a Ramos Gin Fizz, The Bramble and if hungry says a Dirty Martini is as good as an entrée and a drink in itself. He highlighted that every day should contain at least one G&T.
Stuart from The Victorian Café in Albert Park reaches for a New York Whisky Sour – which he told me was Makers Mark and a dash of Shiraz, adding the ‘New York’ part of the title.
Greg Sanderson, the General Manager over at Eau de Vie is excited about the new American Whisky they have been using. They have been making some classics, specifically the Sazerac, the Old Fashioned and the Manhattans. They are really enjoying playing around with different Whiskies, bitters and vermouth to create different combinations.
Cory Mitchell from Peak Bartending likes to keep things old school with an Old Fashioned. He uses 2oz of Wild Turkey Rye (or Woodford Reserve) Whiskey, 1 sugar cube and 3 dashed of Angostura Bitters. Muddle, stir with ice in a chilled rocks glass and garnish with orange twist.
Cory Mitchell from Peak Bartending’s Old Fashioned
Sofia Levin – Writer of Poppet’s Window and Lead Writer at Agenda Daily – is a woman after my own heart and thought that one drink of choice was simply not enough. A Hendricks Gin and Tonic with Cucumber, an Earl Grey Martini or an Old Fashioned will win this little lady over.
The guys over at 666 Vodka are staying warm with the Impossible Sazerac – 10ml Matuselem Blacnco Rum, 50ml 666 Pure Tasmanian Vodka, a dash of Peychaud’s Bitters and 10ml of sugar syrup. It is all stirred over ice and strained into a chilled rocks glass that is rinsed with absinth. They recommend you enjoy it in front of an open fire.
Nick Reed, Bar Manger at 1806, is keeping things classic and simple with a Makers Mark Mint Julep.
Alex Adams AKA Ms Darlinghurst the founder of Secret Foodies in Sydney didn’t hesitate in her answer: a Sazerac.
Cocktail making implements from hands on classes at 1806
Tony Twitchett, Executive Chef at Taxi Dining Room loves one of their new cocktails on the menu, the Mezcal Rosita that is made of Illegal Reposado Mezcal, Campari, and sweet and dry Vamouth with a twist of lemon. Served straight up.
The guys over at The Alchemist Bar on Brunswick Street were a little excited by the question. For a classic cocktail they went for the New York Sazerac: 30ml Bourbon, 30ml Cognac, 10ml Sugar Syrup and two dashes of peychauds bitters, served in a pre-chilled Absinthe-rinsed rocks glass with a lemon twist…stirred.
The Alchemist Team making a Fire in the Hold
Two favourites off their new winter menu were the Fire in the Hold which is spiced rum, Grand Marnier, white chocolate liqueur, yellow chartreuse and whiskey barrel aged bitters all set on fire and blazed between two jugs, the second is the Royal Blush which is spiced rum, Pedro Ximenez, cranberry juice, orange and punt e Mes, served cold.
Nicky Riemer, Head Chef at Union Dining likes her classics and enjoys a Negroni.
Michael over at The Everleigh is loving their Daiquiri #5 which is made of lime, Maraschino Liqueur, house made pomegranate syrup and light rum. They have also just added an offshoot of this to their menu called “Casablanca” which has the addition of Angostura Bitters.
Velvet Fog – Der Raum
The Bar manager at Longroom Melbourne opts for a Rum Old Fashioned, while another staff member told me they were drinking a few too many Chilli Chocolate Martini’s.
Benny McKew, former bartender at 1806 and now a fresh face at GoGo Bar (beneath Chin Chin) told me his favourite drink is a Plymouth Gibson. This is ice-cold gin with a splash of dry vermouth and garnished with cocktail onions.
Cocktail at GoGo Bar, Flinders Lane
Louise from Honey Bar in South Melbourne is loving “The Can Can’ – Raspberry puree shaken with Chambord black raspberry liqueur and De Kuper Butterscotch Schnapps topped with pressed apple juice.
David from The Lui Bar at Vue De Monde is loving the Negroni, and if you order it there, you will get Campari coated almonds on the side.
Matt Bax and the team at Bar Americano are by no surprise loving the Americano while at Der Raum it’s all about the ‘Velvet Fog’.
Well there you have it folks. I don’t know about you, but I think in celebration of World Cocktail Week I am going to start at the top of the list and work my way down…who’s with me?
Happy drinking to all!
Almost regulars @ Charlie’s Bar
Posted by amystown in Champagne, Cheese, Cocktails, Laneway Restaurants, Melbourne, Melbourne CBD on April 25, 2012
“Welcome to Charlie’s and the Mill. You know the drill. Drinks are flowing, crowd is growing, food is tasty, Barman’s not hasty. Drinks are divine, you’re feeling fine. Faces smiling, mobiles dialing. Sit back and relax, enjoy to the max. Time races past, it’s all gone too fast. Feet are fading, friends are waving. Memories of Fun, the nights all done” – Miche 2011
These are not my words, but the words that you read on the first page of the Charlie’s Bar menu. Any bar that has a knack for words is ok by me.
Charlie’s Bar has always been a favourite CDB bar of mine, but I have recently been venturing there more and more.
During Melbourne Food and Wine festival, I was lucky enough to get media tickets to the Snakes and Ladders event. This event saw us attend four bars all in close proximity to each other. Each bar prepared a signature cocktail and signature bar snack to go with it. After attending this event, I was reminded of my love of Charlie’s Bar.
So for those of you who have never been to Charlie’s, it is located beneath The Mill in Hardware lane.
For me it is such a stark contrast to the bustling, loud and often overwhelming atmosphere of Hardware lane. There are dark steps that take you down into a sleek, sexy cocktail lounge. There is a main area near the bar, then a number of private alcoves to find refuge while you enjoy the delicious drinks prepared by the knowledgeable and might I add handsome staff.
Each night has a different special at Charlie’s Bar and Thursday nights are two for one cocktails. This is of course inviting for those of us who are still students.
With a newfound love for gin, this particular evening, I took a liking to the Bramble. This cocktail is a delicious mix of gin, lemon juice, gomme and a touch of crème de mure. I do have to thank one of the bartenders for this recommendation. I told him I liked gin, and a few other flavours and he made me this.
While the two-for-one deal only includes a handful of cocktails, their list is very extensive and you are sure to find something to your liking.
Charlie’s Bar also offer a number of bar snacks made upstairs at The Mill. These include house made bread and dips, Oysters, olives, mini burgers and more similar items.
If you like cocktails and you like cocktail bars, I highly recommend you pay Charlie’s Bar a visit. If you do, kindly pass on that Amy says hi…
*Images Courtesy of Charlie’s Bar
Making Cocktails and a Little Mischief @ 1806, Melbourne
Posted by amystown in Bars, Cocktails, Melbourne, Melbourne CBD on February 27, 2012
Many of you already know that my beautiful big sister is getting married soon. You might not know that along with the other three bridesmaids I was given the task of the hen’s night.
A scary and exiting task this was…How do you make a night fun, and in the theme of a hen’s night when you are under strict orders that there will be no strippers, no games and nothing the bride would feel uncomfortable doing? Well…you simply ignore these orders! (I did agree to no strippers I will tell you now…sorry for those playing at home).
Anyway, I am a good bridesmaid and won’t share too many secrets from the evening. I will however tell you how we started our night…
1806, a cocktail bar on Exhibition Street in Melbourne has come to be a little favourite of mine. After randomly attending a Murder Mystery night there with a group of girl friends last year, I discovered that this little bar has old school class and seriously good cocktails. The espresso martini here is insane…and we all know how much I like espresso martinis.
So when I was planning my sister’s hen’s night I thought 1806 could be a nice start to the evening. It was then that I found out that they run cocktail making classes downstairs in ‘The Understudy’. I was sold.
5pm rolled around last Saturday night and 11 of us took refuge from the heat and the sun in the darkened 1806.
We headed downstairs into the little bar to find four cocktail making stations all ready for our arrival…even a station for the beautifully pregnant (and therefore mocktail making) bridesmaid.
Our Cocktail making tools
After a little cocktail history we were taught a little math’s behind the perfect cocktail – this was seen to come in handy in the second part of the session.
Then to the cocktails…we watched and listened and make a few cheeky comments here and there and then attempted to replicate what we saw before us. It was a Caprioska, a combination of vodka, lime, sugar syrup and ice. I have to say, we made some delicious cocktails!
I'm busy muddling my limes
After a little chat and sip on our Caprioska we were called back for round two.
This time we were given the choice of spirits, juices, sweeteners and fresh fruits. Each group had to come up with a cocktail, name it and present it to the group.
Delicious Fresh Fruit
My group consisting of myself, the Hen and another bridesmaid decided we wanted to win! We created a combination of vodka, orange – vanilla liqueur, orange bitters some sugar syrup, muddled raspberries and ice. We named this little baby a Little Red Corvette.
Little Red Corvette
In a taste off, it came down to two teams. In the end, our little vixen won! I am not willing to accept that this may have been completely due to the hen being in my group. I like to think we are amazing cocktail creators. I hope you agree!
The session was a fun and interactive way to get our evening started. The hen was very happy.
After once again enjoying our delicious creations, we said farewell to 1806 for the evening feeling very light headed and quite pleased with ourselves.
Drinks with the Girls @ Go Go Bar, Melbourne
Posted by amystown in Bars, Cocktails, Melbourne, Melbourne CBD on October 20, 2011
When I heard that Go Go Bar was opening last Monday night I couldn’t help but drag the girls out for a cheeky drink.
We entered the busting Chin Chin restaurant and headed down the stairs to the exciting new venture below. Excited and friendly staff greeted us, clearly eagerly awaiting opening night.
The bar is dark and sexy with large round booths, cozy seating as well as risen tables down the Center.
We settled into our huge round booths and took to the menu.
The menu is quite unique offering options broken down by season. Each season offers a few cocktails, a few beers and two or three wines by the glass. That’s all folks! It’s not a big menu, but its different and fun.
There is also food available from Chin Chin upstairs, so if yours struggling to get a table in the restaurant, you can still get a taste of the food. We ordered the Soy and Spice crusted nuts, which were really flavoursome and the perfect little addition to our drinks.
We decided to do something a little different and order the DIY Champagne Cocktail. This involved a bottle of champagne, three different shots (elderflower, plum wine and cassis) and a bowl of fresh strawberries. Between the three of us, this was quite an order!
We happily nibbles, poured, mixed and chatted the night away.
I’m looking forward to coming back to have another drink and some food at what I am sure will be a packed venue.
For more information:
Go Go Bar
125 Flinders lane, Melbourne
(Enter via Higsons Lane or Chin Chin)
(03) 8663 2020
Opening Night @ Taste of Melbourne 2011!
Posted by amystown in Chocolate, Cider, Cocktails, Dumplings, Fine Dining, Melbourne, Melbourne CBD, Pizza on September 16, 2011
I was lucky enough to attend the bloggers tour of the opening night of Taste of Melbourne 2011 last night and had a ball! It was a huge night, jam packed with almost more foodie excitement that one can handle in one go…I will do my best to keep it concise.
The Tour
Behind the scenes at Sarti
Our first stop was a visit to Sarti where we were taken behind the scenes into their kitchen to meet the chefs. Here we saw the prepping in full swing for a full night of service. They were platting up their ‘Bresaola di rombo’ celery, beetroot and dried mandarin. Fabian (wearing the hat), one of the chefs insisted we tried the freeze dried mandarin, and his description of “Cheese and bacon ball texture” with a sweet edge was just spot on!
I asked Fabian how they choose dishes for events like Taste of Melbourne, and for them it was all about choosing something visually pleasing, that they could put together without too much stress yet still “send out with love”.
Rekorderling Cider Bar
Our next stop… Cider!!
We were lucky enough to sample their entire range including the new Apple and Blackcurrant flavour. This new addition was sweet, yet had a refreshing dry after taste, almost like soda water. It was clean and delicious. The apple and pear flavours with their subtly and sweetness were still my favourites.
A trip to Italy with San Pellegrino café Society and + 39 Pizzeria
As we made our way upstairs we entered what looked like a café on the streets of Italy. A large old counter housed a pizza oven and chefs at work. There were tables and chairs, chalkboards explaining the menus, wooden crates decorating the walls and more hospitality that you can imagine. It was exactly how the art director explained it to us “A 40’s or 50’s Italian Pizzeria”! Photos from their café society photo competition offered to final year RMIT students also decorated the venue, showing San Pellegrino in café settings from numerous artistic perspectives.
After sipping on our San Pellegrino we were treated to pizza’s from + 39 Pizzeria, winners of Best Pizza in Melbourne two years running! Having to know their secret I asked Remo Micolini (second from the left) just what sets them apart. He told me it’s all in the dough. The key to the perfect dough? Simplicity he tells me. Keep the ingredients to a minimum and give it the perfect time to rise and spin and you will have perfect dough.
As I bit into the Margherita I have to say I was blown away. Simplicity and perfection is exactly what I got! The base was light and crispy and straight from the oven and topped with beautiful cheese, tomato and a few simply basil leaves. Heaven. They deserve the title of Best Pizza in Melbourne in my books.
I was also told that we are to expect a new and exciting venture from the team at +39 Pizzeria very soon. All I know is that it will be called Non Solo Pasta! I can’t wait.
Mojito’s with the team at Sensology
Now it was cocktail time!!
We spent 15 minutes with the boys from Sensology learning step-by-step how to make the perfect Mojito every time. From slicing the limes to measuring the sugar to only muddling 5-6 times…they had a lot of secrets to share!
The final product? Delicious! They were also kind enough to have us all walk away with our own cocktail making kits…cocktail night anyone?
The wonderful Jacques Reymond
This man needs no introduction! Receiving three chef hats from The Age Good Food Guide for many years, his restaurant has become a Melbourne Institution. We had the pleasure to meet Jacques and get to know the man behind the success. When I asked Jacques what he thought it was that sets him apart and keeps him at the top after all these years he said it comes down to passion and loving what you do…”I love to do it” he told me. He also has a great team and family behind him. He also told me that even though he works in the restaurant every day it is open he still enjoys cooking for his family on his one day off.
Jacques cooked two beautiful dishes for the demonstrations. These gorgeous mussels were one of them.
Last Stop…Jindi Cheese
The last stop of the tour was a Masterclass with Jindi Cheese. We were lucky enough to sample their ORT Camembert, the Robin Hood Gold, the Jacksons Track, the Triple Cream White and their Sapphire Blue.
Personally I would highly recommend the Jacksons Track, which was a very soft white creamy cheese that you almost needed a spoon to serve, and their Sapphire Blue which was salty and creamy and not too strong.
Let loose in Taste Of Melbourne
From here we were released into the chaos that was opening night of Taste of Melbourne 2011. There were more people there that I would have imagined, literally having to squeeze through crowds to make your way around.
Cocktails from Stokehouse
I was sure to sample the Espresso Martini II from the Stokehouse bar. It was Grand Marnier and White Crème de Cacao topped with hazelnut praline “for a little crunch”. Yum…
Dumplings from St Kahterine’s
I also made my way to St Katherine’s to taste the Turkish Lamb Dumplings, garlic yoghurt, sumac and dried fruit. These were fun and delicious. Tiny steamed dumplings were packed with beautiful lamb and then sprinkled with herbs and sumac and topped with yogurt. They were beautiful.
Rum tasting?
On the hunt for something sweet we walked past the Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum stand and I saw tasting and became very curious. Richard, the bartending proceeded to take us on a tasting of three of their rums. The youngest to be accompanied by dried peach and the oldest dark orange chocolate. Not a huge Rum drinker, I didn’t quite ‘enjoy’ the drinks themselves, but I could most certainly see the differences and it was a very fun experience.
Shocolate
We finally found our sweet fix! The people from Shocolate kindly gave us a tasting of their praline balls, which are literally the size of golf balls! They were divine! Creamy and rich and crunchy.
After buying a number of products we were treated to a taste of their Lemon Grass Macaron. I was blown away. The outside was so soft it melted in your mouth, but still retained that subtle crisp exterior while the inside was lemony and creamy. I bought some Macarons to take home.
All in all it was an amazing night…too much to see in such a limited time, so I recommend going early and taking allllllll the time you can!
For more information on some of the products listed:
Sarti: www.sartirestaurant.com.au/
Rekorderling: www.rekorderlig.com.au/
Sensology: sensology.com.au/
San Pellegrino: www.sanpellegrino.com/
+ 39 Pizzeria: plus39.com.au/
Jacques Reymond: www.jacquesreymond.com.au/
Jindi Cheese: www.jindi.com.au/
Stokehouse: www.stokehouse.com.au/
St Katherine’s: www.stkatherines.com.au/
Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum: www.appletonestate.com/
Shocolate: shocolate.com.au/
An unexpected experience @ A house party?
Over the weekend, I attended a 21st as a plus one. A house party I was told, with a great bar and Spanish catering.
To be honest I was expecting standard house party fare, but was pleasantly surprised.
After I arrived I made my way to the bar and was shocked to be presented with a cocktail menu! I saw something that took my fancy… the Red Corvette. However, with Frangelico, Midori and strawberries, it could have easily been disgusting.
“What does the Red Corvette taste like” I questioned.
I was surprised when the waitress responded with “Would you like to taste it?”.
It was delicious…creamy from the hazelnut of the Frangelico and sweet and thick from the blended strawberries.
“Ill take on of those thank you” I happily responded!
From there we made out way to the heater and settled in.
I could see over in the catering station…yes they had their own kitchen set up, that prawns were being battered and fried on the spot. When they were brought around I happily obliged. The prawns were so big and fresh, and the batter was light and crispy. From here I was thinking this catering was better than normal.
Then the paella pans were brought out. The fresh seafood started to go in. Then the mussels came to rest on the top. This was authentic paella, with the freshest of ingredients being prepared and served in a backyard!! I was very impressed.
This only continued when I ate my serve of paella out of the little boat like plates with my wooden fork. It was just so much fun! The seafood was fresh and cooked to perfection.
I had to go speak to the catering team. I found out they work out of the South Melbourne Markets, serving their paella to the lucky market visitors.
To top off the evening, churros with thick rich chocolate sauce found their way to me before I left.
For more information:
Bar: Liquid Infusion
www.liquidinfusion.com.au/
Catering: Simply Spanish
116 Cecil Street,
South Melbourne 3205
(03) 9682 6100
Pre-show Dinner @ The Long Room, Collins St, Melbourne
The other night my boyfriend and I had tickets to the wonderful acapella group Naturally 7. With the show at 7 30, an early dinner was in order.
Having been to The Long Room once before in a large group, I thought it would be nice to go back for a quite dinner and a few drinks. With both a sushi menu and an extensive tapas menu, it caters to a wide audience.
At first when we arrived at what should be The Long Room, we were again met with an arcade type shopping center front. Remembering to press on, we ventured inside and made our way down the darkened stairs. As we enter we were welcomed into the dark and seductive world that is The Long Room. Huge leather couches, mood lighting and moose heads make you feel like you’re in a mansion from another century. The beautiful wait staff are more than welcoming and add to the time machine experience.
We ordered a bottle of the Moet & Chandon and settled in to our candle lit table.
I ordered the sushi platter for my meal.
There was a huge and varied range of nigiri on the platter and each piece was just as fresh as the next. Just like good sushi should be, it melted in your mouth.
My boyfriend, not as much of a fan of the sushi, ordered a couple of tapas items.He chose the crumbed calamari with aioli.
Then the chicken gyoza’s. The tapas serves were very generous and were presented beautifully in old school metal frying pans.
The Long Room caters for huge groups as well as intimate dinners and does so with style.
I am already looking forward to going back!
For more information:
The Long Room
162 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9663 7226
www.thelongroom.com.au/
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