Hi Melbourne friends, As promised, here are the details of a special evening at the Sofitel Hotel on Collins Street on the 19th February 2026. Places are limited, and feel free to look the part as I share all my pro-tips, history, stories and more about the most iconic of cocktails: the Martini. I’ll be
Welcome to 2026, and given we are all living in “interesting times” around the world these days, I think many of us will need a stiff drink more than ever! So I’ll do my bit this year to bring you interesting and quality spirits to discover, and introduce you to the talented and passionate people
It is Grand Final Day for the national game, Aussie Rules, as I write this in Melbourne today. So not being particularly sporty myself, I thought I’d share with you the list of distilleries in and around this fine city. Many offer a tasting room experience, masterclasses, tours and tastings. In some places, there’s usually
Well, welcome to Spring, or Autumn if you’re reading this North of the Equator! Today, in Canberra we’ve been treated to a dusting of snow and the ranges that surround the city, whilst the first blossoms are also out in bright sunshine. I’m taking it all in with a bittersweet feeling as I’ll be shifting
In January this year I finally was able to visit to the tasting room and distillery of the award winning Starward. They established this purpose built facility in 2017, moving from their first location a few kilometres from downtown Melbourne. I had the opportunity of a private tour, and my thanks to the team for
Well as Tom Cruise said in Top Gun Maverick, “it’s been a minute Mav” when hopping into an old fighter jet. I suppose you may have been wondering what I’ve been doing these past months and been somewhat quiet time on the website. Sorry about that, I’ll explain. I started out with good intentions with
There was a joke going around here about going through the COVID-19 journey: you’d emerge on the other side either, chunky, hunky or drunky. Personally I’ve managed to get plenty of two out three…. my Martini consumption was way up, but I hit the gym (don’t do the gin crime without the gym time friends)
Imbue: to inspire or permeate. On the outer fringes of Melbourne, Mel and Mick Sheard create in small batches a very original take on modern Australian gin. Debuting in late 2018, they’ve expanded their range several very different gins. In this line up I’m exploring the original Suburban contemporary style, the Journey dry gin, The
OK, this will be a first for the Martini Whisperer and perhaps for you. A non-alchoholic gin. Well, not exactly, but bear with me. There’s a burgeoning trend now for low-alcohol or zero alcohol drinks in bars globally. And no, I’m not talking mocktails! Whether it’s people switching to vermouth instead of a full strength
Poor Tonic water, always the bridesmaid to Gin’s bride moment in every Gin and Tonic. Until now that is. It would be hard to miss that Tonic water is having a moment that really started a couple of years ago. In response to the gin craze around the world, some clever folks decided that it
This is going to be one swell weekend! As the premier spirits and beverages expo in Australia, I’m honoured to be part of the program of guest speakers this year. I’ll be speaking on both the Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July sharing my insights on, what else, how to craft the perfect Martini at home
If there is one thing that can make or break your Martini, its the temperature it is served at. The Martini is by its essence ephemeral. After 15 minutes its just a glass of warm booze, a Martini only in name. Personally I find it hard to enjoy a cocktail if the room temperature is above 25C
What’s old is new again with these pre-mixed cocktails from the Everleigh in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Now, how this for an idea, open the fridge, unscrew a cap and pour yourself a perfectly proportioned cocktail anytime that suits your fancy? No mess, no mistakes. And if you don’t finish it, the rest can sit happily waiting
This page will list over 250 original articles on the website. Note,I also publish on Instagram to keep things lively, so please make sure you follow me there as well. I also have a YouTube channel -so please check that out for pro-tips, interviews with distillers and much more. I’ve grouped the articles into several categories,
Does a city regularly rated one of the best cities in the world to live rest on its laurels? After all, it attractions millions of tourists each year, and thousands of new people move their to live + work, it could easily sit back + take in the adoration. Melbourne prides itself on being Australia’s
So who does Melbourne’s best Martini? This is the question I get asked all the time and I loath to pick just one, as its so subjective. My idea of Martini heaven may not be yours. But after 15 months here sampling different bars each week, including return visits, the range of high concept bars, fine dining,
“Would you like to be on a TV show making Martinis?’ she asked. How could I say no? Thus started a whirlwind few days late last year when Kathleen from Nip of Courage reached out to me say that the producers of the most popular show on Foxtel were seeking an expert with some on-camera
My sojourn though the cocktail capital of the world continues. Previously I gave you the first 5 of my top 10 cocktail bars in Melbourne. With hundreds of small bars in the downtown area alone, let along the suburbs, its no small feat keeping track of them, knowing where they are, sampling and then deciding who
From Melbourne comes another great example of the spirit of collaboration here in the world’s cocktail capital. Regular readers will be familiar with my survey last year of some of readily available Tonic waters in Australia, and a quick history of how it came to be developed for medical reasons in the support of colonialism
Since I’m on tour here for professional reasons, I’ve done my best to sample some of the best bars in the cocktail capital of Australia for you. Before I give the scoop on five of them I’ve experienced, a general observation: the vibe in every bar I’ve been to has been positive, welcoming and they
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