Melbourne, are you ready to shake things up?
Come late February and early March, Melbournians will be embarking on an intoxicating five day cocktail adventure; shaking, sipping and tasting their way through the city’s finest concoctions.
If you consider yourself ‘cocktail curious’ then this is for you.
Starting on Thursday 26 February, Melbourne Cocktail Festival will be a celebration of Melbourne’s invigorating and distinct cocktail culture. Featuring local and international experts, cocktail enthusiasts will have an array of events to choose from including endless masterclasses, distillery tours, a Bar Safari and even food and drink pairings. To make things more enjoyable, we’ve found the top five tippled events for you to sip into. Get shaking!
Absinthe Masterclass
For one night only, Melbourne’s Bar Ampere will be hosting an Absinthe Masterclass. Within the hand-painted art adorned walls, guests will have the opportunity to learn about absinthe’s origins, learn how to drink the intriguing drink, indulge in cheese and charcuterie, plus enjoy Ampere’s absinthe fountain.
Lûmé's Cocktail Flight and Bite
With an impressive two hats awarded to their name, there’s no denying that Melbourne Cocktail Festival wouldn’t be complete without South Melbourne’s Lûmé. Over two days and two sessions, guests are welcomed into the Coventry Street venue to be transported on a cocktail flight to experience extravagance. For the sessions, the team at Lûmé have designed four unique cocktails with four unique food pairings. This is one not to miss.
Low ABV Cocktail Masterclass
As 2019 saw the rise of low ABV liquors, this year, Melbourne Cocktail Festival will be shaken up with Bar Ampere’s Low ABV Cocktail Masterclass. Here, over two hours, 20 guests will be able to partake in a hands-on masterclass teaching guests how to make four low ABV party-friendly cocktails. So grab your mates as you won’t want to miss out on this one.
Australian Whisky & Chocolate
If whisky and chocolate are your two favourite things, Beneath Driver Lane will have you hooked with their Australian Whisky & Chocolate Event. Over two hours on Saturday 29 February, Melbournians will be able to unwind on a flavoursome adventure hosted by Hamish from Rum Diary Spiced Rum alongside a special Australian chocolatier yet to be announced. Here guests will learn how to pair two of Australia’s favourite creations: whisky and chocolate.
Bottomless Gin Punch Party
To cap off Melbourne Cocktail Festival on a particularly fancy note, look no further than Gin Palace’s Bottomless Gin Punch Party. On Sunday 1 March the Russell Place venue will be hosting a high tea with a Hendrick’s Gin twist. Enjoy everything from cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, petit fours and more, all delightfully paired with a bottomless gin punch.
When: Wednesday 26 February – Sunday 1 March 2020
Where: around Melbourne
For more information: Melbourne Cocktail Festival
Feature image: Melbourne Cocktail Festival Capitano. Photographed by James Morgan. Image supplied
