May 2021 promises to deliver a marvellous month celebrating cocktails as Australian Cocktail Month kicks off, and Founder Penny Sippe has revealed more details of what we can all look forward to.
Australian Cocktail Month will be held across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and will bring together some of the country’s best bars and leading brands, both local and international.
With a $20 ticket consumers will unlock unique bar experiences and gain access to a special menu of cocktails which have been created by brands and bars exclusively for the month. The menu will be available at participating venues, with cocktails priced at $14, and non-alcoholic options at $10.
Local brands taking part in Australian Cocktail Month include 20 20 Distillery – East London Dry Gin, Adelaide Hills Distillery – 78˚ Better Gin and 78˚ Australian Vodka, Barossa Distilling – Barossa Shiraz Gin, Brix White Rum, Feels Botanicals, Needle & Pin – ‘Off Kilter’ Charcoal Vodka and Seville Orange Gin, Never Never – Southern Strength and Southern Strength Gins, Regal Rogue Lively White and Wild Rosé Vermouths, Starward Two fold Whisky, The Melbourne Gin Company – Dry and Single Shot Gins.
From further afield, the international brands include 1800, Ailsa Bay, Bombay Bramble, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Chase Vodka, Diplomatico, Don Papa, Fords, Glenfiddich, Hendrick’s, Herradura, Monkey 47, Monkey Shoulder, Naked Grouse, Patrón, Plantation, Sailor Jerry and Woodford Reserve.
Australian bartenders will be mixing these spirits with the best throughout the month, with Acqua Bianca by Salvatore Calabrese, Crawley’s Finest Dirty Martini Olive Brine and Simple Syrups, Disaronno, Monin Syrups, Mr Black, Muyu liqueurs by Alex Kratena, Monica Berg and Simone Caporale, Select Aperitivo, Tia Maria, Villa Massa Limoncello and Fever-Tree mixers, also taking part.
Recognising that the desire for low or no alcohol options is continuing to grow, Australian Cocktail Month has partnered with Lyre’s and their exquisite range of lovingly crafted non-alcoholic spirits allowing guests to partake without compromising on what makes Australian bars great: the cocktail experience, with lots of flavour.
Sippe has organised for 72 bars from across the four cities to take part in this exciting inaugural event. Dead Ringer, Jangling Jacks, The Lobo and The Duke of Clarence are some of the bars participating in Sydney.
Included in the 18 venues taking part in Melbourne are Black Pearl, Lover, Nick & Nora’s and The Everleigh, while Maybe Mae, Hains & Co, Memphis Slim’s and Alfred’s Bar amongst others will be welcoming guests in Adelaide. Brisbane bars offering the Australian Cocktail Month menu will include The Gresham, Savile Row, Death and Taxes and Blackbird.
“I am excited to launch Australian Cocktail Month and give consumers the chance to try amazing cocktails created by some of the country’s best bars. I’m also proud to provide assistance to the industry as they rebuild following the pandemic,” said Sippe.
The Australian Cocktail Month concept has been enthusiastically received by bartenders and bars across the country. “Now more than ever, our industry needs a diverse platform that drives consumers back into the bars that have supported brands, hosted our patrons and created spaces and memories,” says Tash Conte, owner of the award-winning Black Pearl in Melbourne. “This platform is what we need now to mend and move forward.”
A ticket to Australian Cocktail Month can be used at any participating venue throughout May. Tickets go on sale in March, so follow Australian Cocktail Month on Facebook and Instagram (@australian_cocktail_month) and sign up to the event’s newsletter on www.australiancocktailmonth.com.au to be first in line for a ticket and watch as Australian Cocktail Month comes to life.