Burrata water, new bars, soylent green cocktail and more in our curated cocktail-related articles, local and international spirit and bar news and recommended reads.
Sea Change Martini – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
Bar News
Double Deuce Lounge Sydney
Double Deuce Lounge, the new bar from the team behind Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern has now opened. With a 70s porn chic theme, expect top notch drinks re-imagined with service to match. Read our feature on Double Deuce Lounge here.
6 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000
Laneway Green Cairns
Laneway Green, a new bar by Matthew Bonasia, bartender and founder of the Cairns Bartenders Network has opened in Cairns. Read our feature on the new bar here.
312 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt QLD 4870
Bar Margaux Melbourne
From the owners of The Everleigh and Heartbreaker in Melbourne comes Bar Margaux, an underground New York-inspired French style bar and brasserie. Drinks include “Snack Size” Martini & Manhattan, Coffee Frappe, French 75, and New York Flip.
Basement, 111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Dulcie’s Kings Cross
It may be Dry July for many but all-Australian spirit bar Dulcie’s Kings Cross has embraced the spirit of the month with the Dry July Martini. For their “Martinis Between Friends”, they have asked their friends to contribute a dry Martini recipe, and Cocktails & Bars has provided the Sea Change Martini, an original recipe never published before. Dulcie’s has also launched a new winter menu which you can view here.
44B Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011
Bartolo Sydney
Following the approval of their PSA (Primary Service Authorisation) licence, Caffe Bartolo in Sydney’s Surry Hills has rebranded to Bartolo. The venue is now offering late night trading and guests can now enjoy drink without having to dine. As a result, the venue closed for renovations and relaunched on July 3rd. More to come on the new Bartolo.
359 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
The Rook Introduces New Look
The Rook, one of Sydney rooftop bars has introduced a fresh look, new menu and a new gin experience. The new look features dusty pinks and burgundy hues, deep tan leather seating and a striking feature wall adorned with an abstract street art. The bar still retains its gin focus and is currently running a ‘Hot Gin Roof’ activation with tea-inspired cocktails served in vintage-style crockery. The experience is offered in The Rook’s winter garden with a flower installation hanging from the retractable roof and vibrant foliage displayed throughout the venue.
The Rook, Level 7/56-58 York St, Sydney 2000
Edition Book Bar Sydney
Edition Book Bar in Sydney has announced its closure on social media, citing rising rents and changing habits within Pyrmont as the reasons. The venue combined a bookshop and bar concept and occupied the former site of the original Simon Johnson store in Pyrmont.
Australian Distillery News
Patient Wolf Distilling
Patient Wolf Distilling Co. will be opening a new distillery and bar. Currently based in Brunswick, the new distillery will be located at 34-36 Market Street in Melbourne’s Southbank. Slated to open in early September 2019, the working distillery and bar is set to become the largest independent distillery in Victoria.
Gourmantic Celebrates 10th Year
Our sister website Gourmantic has celebrated turning 10 years old on 26 June 2019. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about us before launching Cocktails & Bars, here’s a snapshot of Gourmantic’s first decade.
The Balvenie Stories
The Balvenie has launched a trio of new releases, The Balvenie Stories, a new collection of whiskies representing tales of character, endeavour and craft. Each bottle has NFC-enabled tag where whisky lovers can use their smartphone to go on an audio journey.
The Sweet Toast of American Oak 12 yo (43% ABV) – ancient technique meets fresh ideas. Virgin Oak barrels from Kentucky are deep toasted then filled with Balvenie aged in ex-bourbon barrels to create a complex whisky with notes of candied fruit, coconut and delicate vanilla.
The Week of Peat 14 yo (48.3% ABV) – Peated malt from Speyside is used resulting in a whisky rich in honey, vanilla and citrus notes with an extra layer of delicate smoke.
A Day of Dark Barley 26 yo (47.8% ABV) – Made with dark roasted malted barley, more commonly used in the production of stout, the whisky brings smokiness and oakiness as well as the classic honey, vanilla and citrus flavours.
Bombay Sapphire English Estate
Bombay Sapphire has released a new limited edition expression, Bombay Sapphire English Estate (41.5%). The citrus notes of Bombay Sapphire gin are infused with three new botanicals: Pennyroyal mint, Rosehip and toasted Hazelnut. The gin retains the Bombay Sapphire DNA but with a very notable fresh mint influence and a creamier mouthfeel. The gin is available in key bottle shops and in cocktails and G&T’s at The Barber Shop in Sydney.
Recommended Reads
- Move over aquafaba, this is a job for Burrata water. Here’s how to use it to boost texture (source).
- Orgeat without almonds? Here are some alternatives from avocado pits to day-old almond croissants (source).
- If you’re looking for a drink vessel beyond the cocktail glass, this article offers some good ideas (source).
- Remember the movie Soylent Green, the 1973 American dystopian thriller with a chilly revelation? A bar in Berlin has created the Soylent Green cocktail. The riff on a Daiquiri gets its green colour from… Thai basil. Now we can all breathe (source).
Opening a new cocktail bar? Contact us here.
