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Taste of Sydney 2013: Bars, Cocktails, Spirits

At Taste of Sydney, it pays to take a break from the culinary feast and stay hydrated with all the bar, cocktail and spirit offerings.

Below is a snapshot of the best in drinks, bars and spirits.

Patron Tequila & The Botanist

At Taste it pays to start the day right, particularly if you arrive on Sunday at the midday opening time.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Bloody Maria

The Bloody Maria cocktail at the Patron Tequila stand hit the right spot.

Taste of Sydney 2013
The Botanist Gin

You may have noticed the bar team at The Botanist Gin dressed in white coats preparing G&Ts. That is no reflection on the Bloody Maria you have consumed. The Botanist Gin is the only gin that comes from Islay, an island off Scotland renowned for its peated whiskies. This is a London-style dry gin made using 31 botanicals, not the usual 9, of which 22 are native to Islay. Keep an eye out for it at liquor stores or bars as it is meant to be very good in a Martini.

Other spirits at the Southtrade stand were the range of Green Fairy Absinth and Ultimat Vodka.

The Botanist Gin is featured in our Top 10 Gins article.

Pernod Ricard Absinthe

Pernod Ricard was a sensory delight with the Pernod Green Beast punch, made with Pernod Absinthe, sugar syrup, lime juice, water and slices of cucumber.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Ben Taouss, Pernod Ambassador & Assembly Bar

For the more adventurous, Absinthe and water from an absinthe fountain over a sugar cube delivered a good aniseed hit.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Absinthe fountain

Absinthe guru, bartender and owner of bar 1805 in Ibiza Charles Vexenat was also at the stand demonstrating the art of absinthe drinking.

Cointreau Fizz Bar

Taste of Sydney 2013
Cointreau Bar

At the Cointreau Bar, it was back to the chemistry lab with a variety of Cointreau Fizz cocktails served in cute little beakers.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Cointreau Fizz Cocktails

The Cointreau Fizz Classic has Cointreau, lime and soda, and various condiments are added to provide different flavour profiles. The strawberry and mint (left) was a refreshing drink with a hint of fruit while the passionfruit and chilli was the perfect combination for those who like a little bite of heat.

The Cointreau Fizz was served at an intimate soiree with Dita Von Teese earlier this month.

Time Out’s Tanqueray Garden Bar

Taste of Sydney 2013
Time Out Tanqueray Garden Bar with Peter Stevens

Over at at the Time Out Tanqueray Garden Bar, there was a host of Tanqueray Gin cocktails, Ketel One vodka drinks and the odd Ron Zacapa drink shaken and stirred to the tune of live entertainment with prizes to win.

Grey Goose Vodka and Sanpellegrino

Taste of Sydney 2013
Sanpellegrino Bar

The Sanpellegrino / Aqua Panna Bar served refreshing and fruity cocktails made with Grey Goose vodka.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Martin Baxter White with Sanpellegrino & Grey Goose Cocktails

The Limonata and Blackberry Collins, made with crème de mure syrup, rhubarb bitters, and topped with Sanpellegrino Limonata, was  a hit for those who like it a little on the sweet and fruity side. Cooling and refreshing, the Ginger and Aranciata Fizz had Grey Goose Vodka, ginger, lime and mint, aromatic bitters topped with Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa.

Pimm’s Bar

Taste of Sydney 2013
Pimm’s Bar

Arguably the most inviting spot to chill with a drink, the Pimms Bar was a haven in which to unwind and enjoy a refreshing Pimm’s Cup.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Pimm’s Cup

Taste of Sydney 2013
Alex Relic, Matt Gardner, Chris Segrave

A bar with a summery feel and a welcoming team made it a difficult spot to leave particularly as darkness fell over the park.

Sensology

If all that shaking and stirring action behind bars stirred the inner bartender in you, Sensology, The Art of Cocktail making was the place to be.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Loy Catada at Sensology

Under professional guidance, cocktail classes were held where you could try your hand at making mojitos, whisky sours, espresso martinis and other iconic drinks.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Bar tools

Bar tools and spirits were provided and all you had to do was don an apron and follow the instructions from expert mixologists. If you were lucky, you were chosen to come up on stage which explains the lack of photographs in this segment.

Tasmanian Whisky: Lark, Overeem, Sullivans Cove & Nant Whisky

Over at the Tasmanian Pavilion, four Australian whisky brands were showcased and tastings proved very popular.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Jane Overeem and Casey Overeem

Overeem offered tastings of their award winning whiskies with the delicious Port Cask matured single malt and sherry cask matured expressions.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Mark Nicholson of Lark Whisky

Lark Distillery, the oldest distillery in Tasmania now 21 years old, showcased their Lark single malt Small Cask aged single cask, a 43% ABV whisy with a lovely honey sweetness from the sherry, as well as the cask strength  Lark single malt whisky 58% and the Slainte single malt whisky liqueur.

Taste of Sydney 2013
Bert Cason of Sullivans Cove

Sullivans Cove offered tastings of their American and French oak cask matured whisky,

Taste of Sydney 2013
Nant whisky

while Nant presented their Cask Strength single malt whisky which was surprisingly smooth for a 63% ABV spirit.

Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.

Coming up in Taste of Sydney 2013 series:
Best in Taste Awards
Taste of Sydney: Chefs, Restaurants & Taste Menu
Taste of Sydney: Exhibitor Highlights (includes Malaysia Kitchen, Tasmanian Pavilion & others)
Sake and Champagne Masterclass with Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine
Wine Tasting with Exclusive Vines and Pizzini Wines
Photo Gallery on the Gourmantic Facebook page

Gourmantic attended Taste of Sydney 2013 as media guests.

About the author

Corinne Mossati

Corinne Mossati is a drinks writer, author of GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, SHRUBS & BOTANICAL SODAS and founder/editor of Gourmantic, Cocktails & Bars and The Gourmantic Garden. She has been writing extensively about spirits, cocktails, bars and cocktail gardening in more recent years. She is a spirits and cocktail competition judge, Icons of Whisky Australia nominee, contributor to Diageo Bar Academy, cocktail developer and is named in Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List. Her cocktail garden was featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has won several awards. She is a contributor to Real World Gardener radio program and is featured in several publications including Pip Magazine, Organic Gardener, Australian Bartender and Breathe (UK). Read the full bio here.

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