It’s that time!
Somehow I didn’t get all the gin joints I had hoped to get to this year, life had other plans, but there were some opportunities to experience a decent cocktail in the wild and in some exotic places.
As I said many times, the Martini is more than the sum of its parts, ambience, skill sets, all have a role to play, not to mention temperature. I was at a fancy bar in Melbourne recently and there was a moment where I could see my order at the bar ready to be carried over to me…. waiting, waiting, waiting, all the while getting less chilled. I was tempted to get up and get it myself!
So what Martinis stood out this year for me? In no particular order here we go.
Voulez Vodka at Sofitel Hotel Melbourne
It is fitting that this brand new luxury release is on at some of the finest establishments in Melbourne. Designed as a spirit that is very refined, featuring both grain and potato (using a unique process from a single source grower), offering a vodka lover fantastic mouth feel, and still retain the purity one expects. Just 5ml of Noilly Prat Vermouth for this cocktail, plus a twist…. one wasn’t enough.
I was fortunate to enjoy this Martini with the founder, Tamara and learnt about her inspiration and vision for the brand, and we’re looking to do something special together next year, so stay tuned. You’ll find out about Voulez here.
All Australian Martini at Black Kite Commune
Staying in Melbourne city, this bar features completely all Australian ingredients for both it’s drinks and food menu. Great table service, and located in a suitably vibey alley way, Black Kite Commune is doing its part ensuring more and more people encounter fine Aussie spriits and vermouths in well designed cocktails.
This was a Never Never Triple Juniper- can’t go wrong here. You can read more about the bar here in this article.
Three Arches Dry Gin (home bar)
Previously I mentioned a lovely visit to one of Australia’s newest distillery, Three Arches in Melbourne. This artisinal distillery produces two gins currently, and other special releases coming in 2026.
I was very impressed with both, with the Modern Dry gin now available for purchase, and it features a blend of Macedonian and Himalayan Juniper, blended with the sweet aroma of Greek Mountain Tea. In a very dry Martini you get a cocktail that has lovely subtle aromatics, a full palette, leading to a crisp finish, just delicious and perfectly balanced.
Spring Martini at Nick and Nora’s Melbourne
This is an upscale cocktail bar in downtown Melbourne, inspired by the 1930’s film characters of the same name, who loved cocktails whilst solving crimes.
I decided to try one of their specials, and this featured cucumber and mint, Beefeater gin, Orange Bitters and Cocchi Americano for a fresh and aromatic cocktail with a very satisfying dry finish, way to easy to drink!
Bombay Sapphire with a twist at the Pacific Resort on Aitutaki, Cook Islands.
Now, for me the tropics and Martinis usually don’t mix due to the humidity, but the wonderful staff at this fabulous place in what is paradise had clocked that I was the Martini Whisperer! So they insisted I experience one of theirs
I was staying for our 21st Wedding Anniversary for a week, and sipping this as the sun set over the Aitutaki lagoon in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was very memorable indeed.
Fun fact: the IG post I did about this has been my most popular post by far with some 2950 likes!
Did you have a Martini that stood out for you? I’d love to hear about it… please share via the form below.
PS: This will be last article for the year, so thank you for tuning in and supporting my work. Remember to stay in touch via my Instagram channel over the festive period as I’ll be having some chats with a range of makers from around the world there
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