The inaugural Australian Cocktail Month will take place this May across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Seventy-two bars across the four cities are taking part in the event intended to champion the country’s bar industry and coax patrons back to the bar.

Australian Cocktail Month is an initiative of Penny Sippe (ex-Bacardi) who said: “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.”

The event has been enthusiastically received by bartenders and bars across the country. 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.

“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.”

Organisers say that consumers will be able to access unique bar experiences and enjoy delicious cocktails with the Australian Cocktail Month ticket which costs $20. There will be a special menu of cocktails created exclusively for the month long event at participating venues. Cocktails will be priced at $14, and non-alcoholic options at $10. Tickets go on sale later this month.

Australian Cocktail Month has parntered with local brands including:

  • 2020 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

International brands

  • Bombay Bramble
  • Fords
  • Hendrick’s
  • Monkey 47
  • 1800
  • Herradura
  • Patrón
  • Ailsa Bay
  • Glenfiddich
  • Monkey Shoulder
  • Naked Grouse
  • Buffalo Trace Bourbon
  • Woodford Reserve
  • Chase Vodka
  • Diplomatico
  • Don Papa
  • Plantation
  • Sailor Jerry

Australian bartenders will literally be mixing these spirits with the best:

  • 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
  • the highly prized Fever-Tree mixers

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 (and loads of flavour). 

Photo by Chris Pearce

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