#gin tasting in Melbourne

[idsb]

what are some of your favorite drinks to make/some beginner drinks that are not too hard to make but are still delicious? i'm at the point where i want to learn to make actual nice drinks for myself and for friends but i honestly dont know where to start

Okay so I have two levels of answers to this question! Also I’m answering in ml because American measurements are dumb af for measuring cocktails, if you’re in the US just know 30ml = 1 standard shot so pour according to that

Level 1: I do not know any classic cocktails at all other than my own bar order (which is fine, I didn’t either really before I started in Melbourne so no judgement!

Classic Daiquiri - the most basic classic cocktail there is, really, but SO good if it’s made with a nicer / non-well dark rum (my favorite is Plantation’s Fiji Blend). Called a bartenders handshake because it’s so simple. 15ml lime juice, 15ml simple syrup, 60ml rum.

Margarita - if you don’t know how to properly make one, now you do! 15ml lime juice, 15ml triple sec (aka orange liqueur, I like Dry Curaçao!), 45ml tequila. Add 2 dashes of hot sauce for a spicy marg

Cosmopolitan - slay version of a vodka cran. 15ml lime juice, 15ml triple sec, 30ml cranberry juice, 45ml vodka.

Tom Collins - a great tall drink if you want something fizzy! 15ml simple syrup, 30ml lemon juice, 45ml gin, top with soda water.

Level 2: I’m familiar with the Hard Basics and was asking for a level above that!

Espresso Martini (this is my recipe and it’s bangin) - 5ml real maple syrup, tiniest ever splash of vanilla extract, 40ml chilled coffee, 30ml coffee liqueur, 45ml vodka

Passionfruit Daiquiri (again, my recipe) - super easy level-up to the classic daiquiri. 15ml lime juice, 20ml passionfruit liqueur (I recommend Chinola if you want a nice one!), 45ml dark or light rum. Dark rum will give it a deeper & more robust flavor profile, which I like. If you want to taste the passionfruit more, go light!

French Martini - this is a great one if you like a fruity drink! You can increase the pineapple juice depending on your fruity preference. 20ml pineapple juice, 20ml raspberry liqueur, 45ml vodka. If you’re looking to up your Vodka game I recommend Reyka - it’s an Icelandic small batch vodka made w melted glacier water, and it’s so incredibly smooth you can almost sip it. Literally nicer than Grey Goose and it’s a very entry level price point avail at most liquor stores. Goes great in this!

Aperol Spritz - you can make an ANYTHING spritz using this recipe and swapping the liqueur. The passionfruit is great for something sweeter! 60ml Aperol, 30ml soda water, 90ml sparkling wine

Hope this helps bestie! You can go a LONG way with adding sugar, lemon juice, lime juice, and one liqueur to your liquor cabinet. A general archetype a lot of classic cocktails follow is 15ml of something sweet, 15ml of a citrus, 45ml of alcohol if the sweet thing was alcoholic, 60ml if it wasn’t.

I also love the free app coupe for discovering classic cocktails!

[milflewis]

dantteri + an unexpected love language

Lewis flops down into the seat beside him, legs spread wide, jeans artfully worn at the knees. He’s got another nose stud put in over the break and it’s working for him.

“Daniel is fucking men who look like you,” he says, looking at him.

Valtteri sucks at his straw. His water has gone a little room temperature warm and he struggles not to make a face.

“Yes,” Valtteri says.

He’s never tried to lie to Lewis and he’s not going to start now, even if he wishes he was somewhere else.

“He gets all embarrassed when you or one of us run into him when he’s with your lookalikes.”

“Yes,” Valtteri says.

“So embarrassed that he nearly walked into a glass door at Charles’s birthday party last weekend.”

“Yes,” Valtteri says.

“The two of you still haven’t talked since Australia, where he,” Lewis grins here, slow and heated. “Tried your gin.”

Valtteri doesn’t like what Lewis is trying to imply. Tasting Valtteri’s gin was all that happened in Melbourne. He narrows his eyes.

“Yes,” Valtteri says.

“You want to fuck Daniel,” Lewis says.

Valtteri hesitates.

[bentleighwinestore]

Bentleigh Wine Store: Your Trusted Family-Owned Liquor Destination in Melbourne

For Melbournians seeking a curated selection of quality wines and spirits, look no further than Bentleigh Wine Store. Nestled in Bentleigh East, this family-owned gem has been a go-to for discerning drinkers for years. But Bentleigh Wine Store offers more than just a convenient location – it's a commitment to exceptional customer service, a passion for discovery, and the ease of liquor delivery Melbourne.

A Legacy Built on Quality

Bentleigh Wine Store is a testament to the power of family values. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to excellent wines and spirits, the store has grown from strength to strength. The friendly team, many of whom are family members themselves, possess a deep understanding of their customers' preferences. This translates into a personalized shopping experience, where recommendations go beyond generic labels and delve into the nuances of taste and occasion.

Unveiling a World of Flavors

Step inside Bentleigh Wine Store, and you're greeted by a treasure trove of libations. Their shelves brim with an impressive selection of wines, from crisp whites and bold reds to sparkling champagnes and delectable dessert wines. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the store caters to every palate. Explore established regions like France, Italy, and Australia, or embark on an adventure with lesser-known wineries. Bentleigh Wine Store champions local heroes, stocking a delightful range of Victorian wines alongside international favorites.

Beyond the Vine: A Spirit for Every Occasion

Wine may be the heart of Bentleigh Wine Store, but their offerings extend far beyond. Their collection of spirits is a curated masterpiece, featuring a wide range of options for every taste and budget. From classic vodkas and smooth whiskeys to exotic liqueurs and artisanal gins, the store caters to cocktail enthusiasts and spirit connoisseurs alike. Need something specific for an upcoming gathering? The knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect bottle to elevate your event.

The Convenience of Liquor Delivery Melbourne

Life gets busy, but that shouldn't mean sacrificing quality beverages. Bentleigh Wine Store makes it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite drinks at home with their convenient liquor delivery Melbourne service. Simply browse their extensive online selection, choose your desired wines and spirits, and have them delivered straight to your doorstep. This time-saving option is perfect for stocking up for a party, a relaxing night in, or simply replenishing your home bar.

More Than Just a Liquor Store: A Community Hub

Bentleigh Wine Store transcends the boundaries of a mere liquor store. They actively engage with the local community, hosting wine tastings and educational events. These evenings are a fantastic opportunity to sample new vintages, connect with fellow wine enthusiasts, and expand your knowledge of the world of beverages. The friendly staff is always happy to answer questions and share their expertise, fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The Final Sip

Bentleigh Wine Store is a haven for Melbournians who appreciate quality, convenience, and personalized service. Whether you're a seasoned wine aficionado or just starting your exploration, their friendly staff and curated selection will guide your journey. So, next time you're looking to elevate your next gathering or unwind with a well-deserved drink, head over to Bentleigh Wine Store or browse their online selection for hassle-free liquor delivery Melbourne.

Contact- Web - https://bentleighwinestore.com.au/product/kookaburra-rose/ Mail - info@bentleighwinestore.com.au Ph - 03 9579 4448 Address - 2/251 E Boundary Rd, Bentleigh East VIC 3165, AU

[winerytoursyarravalley]

🎉 Celebrate your upcoming birthday in style with an unforgettable journey through the Yarra Valley! 🍷🍽️ Indulge in exclusive food tastings, sip on exquisite wines, and explore artisan gin and local breweries. Book your tour now and make your special day truly memorable! 🥂✨ #YarraValleyTours #BirthdayBash

[alchemybrewing]

Buzzing Bars: Exploring the Best of Brunswick's Bar Scene

Nestled within Melbourne's vibrant suburb of Brunswick lies a diverse and dynamic bar scene waiting to be discovered. From cozy neighborhood pubs to trendy cocktail lounges, Brunswick offers a plethora of options for those seeking a memorable night out. Let's delve into the best of Brunswick's bar scene and uncover the hidden gems that make this neighborhood a haven for cocktail enthusiasts and beer aficionados alike.

One of the defining features of Brunswick's bar scene is its eclectic mix of establishments, each with its own distinct personality and charm. Whether you're in the mood for a laid-back pub atmosphere or a sophisticated cocktail experience, you'll find something to suit your tastes in Brunswick. Start your evening with a visit to one of the neighborhood's beloved local pubs, where you can enjoy a cold beer and a hearty meal in a relaxed setting. These neighborhood haunts are the perfect place to unwind after a long day and catch up with friends over a game of pool or a live music performance.

For those craving something a bit more upscale, Brunswick boasts a variety of stylish cocktail bars and lounges where you can sip on expertly crafted drinks in a chic and trendy setting. From classic cocktails to innovative creations, these bars pride themselves on their extensive drink menus and skilled bartenders who can whip up the perfect libation to suit your mood. Whether you're a whiskey connoisseur or a lover of all things gin, you'll find plenty to tantalize your taste buds in Brunswick's cocktail scene.

But the bar scene in Brunswick isn't just about drinks – it's also about community and camaraderie. Many of the neighborhood's bars host regular events and activities, from trivia nights and live music performances to themed parties and cocktail workshops. These events provide the perfect opportunity to mingle with locals, make new friends, and immerse yourself in Brunswick's vibrant social scene.

In addition to its diverse array of bars and lounges, Brunswick is also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, with several breweries and taprooms calling the neighborhood home. Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or just curious to explore the world of craft brewing, Brunswick's breweries offer a unique opportunity to sample a wide range of locally brewed beers and discover new favorites.

For More: Contact Us: (03) 9338-3910 Timings: Mon-Thur: 4pm – 11pm, Fri- Sun: Midday – 11pm Email: bookings@alchemybrewing.co

[yarravalleywinetastingtours-blog]

Enjoy Yarra Valley Winery: Contact Well-known Wine Tour Operator!

If anyone is planning for a short trip, they can visit Yarra Vally Winery for an unforgettable wine-tasting experience. In the picturesque Yarra Valley, Simply, find a trusted and well-known wine tour operator with a reputation for excellence.

Contact them and ask for a suggestion for a private or group trip for whole-day or half-day trips from Melbourne to experience the traditional wine making and tasting in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula wineries.

Benefits of Contacting Specialised Wine Tour Operators:

Well-established operators of wine-tasting tours usually have extensive knowledge of the region, including the wines, winemakers, and the history of the wineries visited. 

Whether anyone opts for a day tour from Melbourne or chooses to spend a few days exploring the Yarra Valley locally, these experienced service operators ensure a memorable tour experience for not only Australian citizens but also arrange the most pleasing tour for foreigners with experienced guides.

In addition to their scheduled day tours, they offer private group tours, allowing guests to customize their experience according to their preferences and needs.

Similarly, on their full-day Yarra Valley wine tour, guests can expect to visit three wineries or cellar doors, including a lunch in a specialised restaurant paired with a glass of wine at Rochford Wines, and complete the day with a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. They also encourage those looking to expand their palate with an optional Gin tasting.

Their customer care executives and skilled staff take care of their guests with the highest level of comfort. They help to make a memorable day by exploring the scenic Yarra Valley just an hour's drive from Melbourne.

Find a Trusted Wine Tour Organiser Locally:

Find some well-known wine tour organisers locally and examine their trustworthiness and level of client satisfaction by reading reviews and testimonials from their clientele. 

Look for operators that employ trained staff who have experience and expertise in handling guests intelligently, manage tours smoothly, and have adequate knowledge about the wine regions they cover. 

To ensure a customised experience, confirm if they provide half-day or full-day trips for small groups as well as private parties.

Finally, select the right organiser, book a tour for your upcoming outing, and experience an unparalleled wine-tasting adventure in one of Australia's most renowned wine regions.

Source

[skyvinn]

Review: Yugen Tea Bar

Le bar à thé

You push open the doors and you are greeted by a polished bar x afternoon tea café. With its pure black minimalistic structures giving of cavern vibes, you get the feel you’re being naughty and heading to the bar a little too early. But at the same time there are pretty afternoon tea sets on the café tables tucked in the corners that look just so tempting. It may sound like a confused café but everything soon makes sense. This was not a random concept thrown out as part of the café culture in Melbourne but the beloved child of tea sommelier Thibaut Chuzeville, pastry chef John Demetrios, and culinary director Stephen Narin.

You drift towards the bar, for the solos and the curious. For every lover of drink would wish to speak to the bartenders and sommeliers to know the specials and to see the craft first hand. Behind this bar are not unique selection of gin, rum and what nots but tea. Likewise in replacement of the jigger and shaker, the bartenders here are equipped with the tetsubin, chawan, yuzamashi and chasen. You won’t find  the theatrical circus of cocktail making but instead the elegant and refined movements of a tea maker. Each move elegant and calming.

Most of us may know our choice teabag but not the best way to savour it.

You sit at the bar and peruse the menu, here they have brought the mystic to earth. No longer will you befuddle about what tea is what, for not only is it arranged in terms of types of tea (green, white, red, black) but also by its tasting notes. For just like wine where how one Bordeaux to the next can differ in taste, tea from different regions and makers can evoke an astonishing variety of flavours. Hence, instead of simply listing out the name of the tea and its origin, here they provide you with an idea of its taste from vegetal to green apples to smoky.

The wine bar concept for tea, is much appreciated. For just as how wine can be hard to access beyond the cheap bottle at the supermarket, tea, you dare say is even harder to access. Its not just about buying good tea leaves, the brewing matters greatly. Each tea has its own unique traits, everything from storage to water temperature to how long to brew has a profound effect on its flavour.

The tasting

You are spoiled for choice and eventually between the three of you, four types of tea are selected. Some interesting, others not so.

First up – a green tea from Georgia. Chosen simply as you never knew Georgia had green tea. Taste wise? You won’t drink it again. Like many western (aka anything west of China) green teas, the scent is stronger than the taste. This tea was floral like gardenia but its taste was mild. A little vegetal but mostly a bore. No one wasted time on a 2nd brew.

Second, a green tea from Japan. It was a total hit amongst the three of you. Called Karigane, it had such good aroma and its first brew had a lovely sweet green bean flavour to it. With the second brew, the umami notes of a gyokuro starts to stand out.

Third, a white tea from Yunnan. Chosen by you because, good white teas are hard to find and certainly one from Yunnan! Yunnan is predominantly famous for its black tea, so it was quite interesting to taste a white tea. You are served the tea and you think this isn’t white tea? Its red tea! You ask the bartender and she confirms it is white tea. However, it was treated roasted in bamboo lending it the profiles of red tea. You would argue this is WhitexRed tea, you think to yourself, is this the rosé of tea?

Finally, you end the day with the classic Da Hong Pao, a very famous tea that dates back to 1385.  With the last of the mother trees’ (the originals if you wold call it) tea leaves harvested in 2005, it has gone from very pricey to priceless. Da Hong Pao are collected and treated as antiques. Its prices can go into the thousands for one gram. Of course, the one you drank wasn’t of such variety but it was still quite a penny. You savour the orchid-fragrance of the tea, it tannin and sweet notes. It is enjoyable but you still think, you’ll pass it for a cup of karigane any day.

The sweets

As this visit was after eating 8 different pastries. You did not have a afternoon tea set to accompany your tea. But thanks to your cousin’s connections, you were served a little sweet pastry anyway. Crispy mille-feuille with vanilla based mousse, it would pair very well with say a black or red tea. The rest of the pastries looked pretty and hence tempting, a second visit is in order to enjoy the tea and desserts.

Address: Yugen Tea Bar

605 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141 Wednesday to Sunday: 12pm - 5pm https://yugenteabar.com.au

Yugen runs a dinner place called Yugen Dining as well

[madeleinedrinkstea]

Bobaboba: Pandan Tornado

Tried at Bobaboba Northbridge, with no added sugar.

Maybe 30 is too old to be drinking neon green beverages. Midori sours were my drink of choice back when I was 21, so assuming a normal trajectory of maturity, I should be celebrating my birthday with gin and tonic rather than the artificial hues of pandan bubble tea.

Unfortunately pandan bubble tea just tastes better.

Look, these drinks aren't going to win any awards for honouring the sacred nuances of tea. No one is going to be writing them up in a must-visit list for Perth. But they were fun. Mine tasted great. I'd happily return if I found myself out west again.

Product: 4/5 by Melbourne standards, but 5/5 for Perth.

[troubleabroad]

Day 1

Gather round folks, church is in session.

Day one started like most holidays do, last minute packing and making sure everything is in place. Thankfully it was. So off we went in search of bigger and better things at Melbourne airport. We got to the airport with out any hiccups, went to QANTAS (that’s right, i fly fancy now) and to our shock, there was not a single person in line to check in. Which was great news, because there is a Stomping Ground Beer Hall at the airport now. So its double win. More bar time, and no lining up! We were assigned our seats, the very back row of the plane. To most people, this sounds horrible. But looking at it, we had 2 seats next to each other, no 3rd person in the row, close to toilets and all the leg room in the world! Basically 1st class. We got through security without any issues, which meant one more step closer to stopping ground! Unfortunately life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. 

The beer hall is not in our terminal. Nor is anything else really, as its all under construction. Wouldn’t be a trip without an early departure issue. We found a cafe instead that we stayed at until our short flight to sydney, before departing for Dallas, Texas! Very uneventful flight to sydney. When you’re in the air for about an hour, not much happens. Gotta give it to QANTAS though, they still gave us snacks and a drink. We arrived in sydney to an email letting us know that our flight to Dallas had been delayed. Most people would be unhappy at this, however we were quite the opposite. For those playing along at home, sydney is a large airport with multiple terminals. We had to get from the domestic terminal, to the international. This required the help of a bus. A bus which runs every 20-30 minutes and can only hold so many people. We did not make the bus we needed to catch our plane. Thankfully, as previously stated, our plane was delayed, so we had an extra 2 hours to get to our teminal. Sydney airport has a lot more going on than that of our dear melbourne airport, thank god.

INCLUDING a mcdonalds that uses a pulley system to deliver the food! At this point i don’t need to go to America, this thing is great! We hung out at the food court, then made our way to the heineken bar at the airport. Note to those travelling to sydney. Take not of public holidays. Please. A pint and a gin was $40!! GET ABSOLUTELY STUFFED. One thing that made it a bit better, was the Jason Mamoa turned up to the bar for a pint too. Not only that, but Carlton royalty Charlie Curnow was also in for a drink. I’ll let you figure out who in our group was starstruck by whom… We finished out gold plated drinks and made our way to the terminal. Boarding was a breeze, we got to walk past business and premium economy and see them with their champagnes and actual glasses of water, then made our way back of the plane to the nose bleed section.

I wish there was more to report from the flight, but it was really easy. I’ve gotta give it to qantas too, their food is really good! Not something i thought id say about airline food! Gotta give credit to those boon docks seats, I managed to sleep for 7 or so hours! We left Melbourne at roughly 6.30pm on Monday and arrived in hot dallas at 6pm Monday How good is changing timezones! Once at dallas airport, we did the usual TSA check with someone who is void of humour, then to baggage claim and finally into an uber to our hotel in Dallas! We checked in to the hilton, well, their budget version, and were please to find that they have free warm cookies at the front desk! Up to out room to drop our stuff off, we then went across the road for a burger and beer at my new favourite local the Rodeo Goat. The sour taste the heineken bar left in my mouth was soon forgotten upon eating and drinking at the goat. A great outdoor area on a warm night, burgers and beers, all well underpriced, what more could you ask for! We retired back to the hotel after a feed, with a day of exploring dallas in our sights for tomorrow. Hoping to get a sim card to make life easier, as well as a visit to the aquarium and no doubt more of the local wares!