Our round up of cocktail articles, local and international booze news, bar news and recommended reads.
In the News
- The King of Cocktail, Dale DeGroff visited Sydney and presented a trade workshop for De Kuyper The Works. DeGroff entertained guests with tales of his time behind the Rainbow Room in the ‘80’s, his knowledge of cocktails through the ages and regaled with tales of bartending. We’ll have more on DeGroff’s visit. In the meantime, you can see the photo gallery here.
- Australian native ingredients continue to take centre stage, this time featuring in more cocktail competitions. Contestants for the Australian Bartenders Guild (ABG) Cocktail & Flair Competition were asked to create a modern Australian themed cocktail using Vantage, Routin 1883 Syrups and an Australian native ingredient. Jonothan Carr (Door Knock Sydney) won the Modern Mixology round and Dennis Gray (Melbourne) took out the Flair round. Judging the competition were Andrew Hargitay (Vantage), Brendon Hill (Frank and Blanco), and myself, Corinne Mossati (Cocktails & Bars, Gourmantic).
- Local ingredients were also part of the criteria for the Opihr World Adventure Cocktail Competition Australian Final 2018 which was held in Sydney on 8 August 2018. Loreta Kwong from Joe Taylor in Victoria will be representing Australia in the Global Finals in Istanbul. Claudia Morgan from The Dominion League in WA came in second place followed by Jared Huk from The Howlin Wolf in NSW in third place. Judging the competition were Benjamin Parton (Ophir Gin Brand Ambassador), Richard Blanchard (SouthTrade), and myself, Corinne Mossati (Cocktails & Bars, Gourmantic).
- Also in cocktail competitions, the Peruvian Consul hosted the first official Pisco Sour Cocktail Competition in Australia. Luca Capecchi from The Commons in Sydney came in first place and has won a trip to Peru. Judging the competition were Luis Almenara, Josie Healy (The Pisco People), and myself, Corinne Mossati (Cocktails & Bars, Gourmantic).
- With Sydney Bar Week only a few weeks away, it’s time to check out the timetable of events, masterclasses and parties here and start planning.
- More non-alcoholic spirits are released, Stryyk Not Rum and Stryyk Not Gin by the founder of Funkin cocktail mixers (via The Spirits Business)
Recommended Reads
- How Del Maguey’s Clay Copitas Came to Be (via Imbibe Magazine)
- What’s behind the names of some of the famous cocktail bars? (via Punch)
- How cocktail umbrellas came to be (via Imbibe Magazine)
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