We're always a fan of supporting local, especially when it comes to what we drink. That's why when we first heard of Soltera Rum, we were more than a little bit excited to share the new tipple with you. Born and brewed in nano-distillery Cabarita Spirits in, you guessed it, Cabarita Beach, this bottle is more than worthy of a spot in your bar cart. more
The scorching midday heat, the smell of bug spray mixed with sizzling snags filling the air and a grumbling tummy getting louder as the minutes tick by – a Saturday arvo barbecue is an undeniable part of the quintessential summer experience. If you’re keen to pick up the tongs one coming weekend, we suggest ordering your next bevy of barbecue bites from Horizon Grazing – a paddock-to-plate experience that’s delivering ethically raised meat straight to your door. more
There are few things etched in childhood memories quite like a Golden Gaytime ice-cream. An enduring symbol of summertime happiness, the frozen national treasure has lent its name and signature crumb to spark joy in a whole new way. Friends and fellow sugar fiends, Golden Gaytime popcorn is a thing and it's a hard yes from us. more
If you ask us, picking a favourite cocktail is like picking a favourite child – we couldn't possibly commit to one! Well, not everyone thinks it's a tough choice. The owners of brand-new cocktail van Margarita Margarita are making clear where their hearts lie and, to be honest, we absolutely get it. This former ice-cream van has lovingly retrofitted and transformed into a mobile dispensary of what are being touted as "the best margs ever". If you rank margaritas high on your summer sip list, then consider recruiting the services of these like-minded libation lovers for your next event. more
Whilst it is indeed the most wonderful time of year, after everything that 2020 has brought with it you'd be forgiven for lacking a little Christmas cheer. In fact, we could probably all do with a hearty dose of merriment right about now – so gather around friends, we have some tasty news that is guaranteed to have you feeling all kinds of festive. Miami-based craft distillery Granddad Jack's has teamed up with their pals at Tarte Bakery & Cafe to imbue the spirit of Christmas in a limited-edition Pavlova-flavoured gin (and a boozy sweet treat) that has all the hallmarks of the holidays. more
If you sometimes find yourself craving something other than water but don't necessarily want to down your entire day's recommended sugar intake in one sitting, Burleigh Drinks Co has launched a tastebud-tingling four-ingredient lemonade that tastes just like it did in the good old days, only with a lot less sugar! more
Raise those ice-cream scoops and flex those serving arms – there’s a new premium ice-cream line whispering your name from the dessert aisle. With flavours like burnt butter with caramel sauce, cookies and cream with Belgian chocolate and golden Jersey caramel macadamia, it's highly likely you’ll need a little extra room in the trolley this summer. more
Into gin? Love yourself some Christmas pud? Then set your alarms for Saturday October 31 – that's when Four Pillars' annual limited-edition Australian Christmas Gin will be up for grabs. Sip it neat, make a cocktail or pour it over your pudding – however you take it, just make sure you don't miss out on securing your 2020 bottle. more
There’s no point dancing around the obvious – boxed wine has a bad rep. Even reading the words “boutique cask wine” probably seems at odds with everything your youth has taught you about the humble goon sack. We’re here to tell you that vino in a box is making a seriously snazzy comeback – you can leave Goon of Fortune, Fruity Lexia (makes you sexier) and preservative hangovers of doom in the past! Some clever companies have cottoned on to the benefits of this humble Australian classic, so we’re here to walk you through the brave new world of grown-up goon. more
So, let's talk about seltzers. In particular, hard seltzers. It's pretty much being dubbed the unofficial drink of summer, but what the heck is a seltzer? It's pretty simple. It's boozy, fizzy water and it's starting to dominate the normally sugar-heavy and calorie-laden RTD market. Seltzers have been big business in America for a while, and it's now making waves in Australia, with a bunch of breweries and booze makers (from the big players to the local outfits) jumping on board to create their version of the carbonated sort-of-healthy sip. Traditionally, seltzers are 'brewed', kind of like beer, with fermented grain or rice creating the booziness – or there are some brands simply adding alcohol to fizzy water. Either way, these gluten-free, low-calorie, not-too-sweet sips are gathering steam, and it looks like they are here to stay. To help you navigate, we've popped together… more
After winning over the caffeine-loving populace with its brilliant brews, Fonzie Abbott turned its attention to brews of a different kind and launched into the craft-beer game in 2018. Since then, the crew have turned into a one-stop libation shop slinging Monday-morning hits of energy through to Sunday arvo sundowners but friends, there's a new beer on the horizon and we're told it's the stuff of dreams, sour dreams to be specific. more
Do you remember the unbridled joy you felt as a kid when your mum or dad bust out the massive container of Neapolitan ice-cream from the freezer? It was the definition of happiness in a tub and whether you had a preference for the chocolate, strawberry or vanilla flavour (chocolate forever), we have some news that is going to give you all of the nostalgic feels. Sydney-based Archie Rose has joined forces with Gelato Messina to create a grown-up (read: boozy) version of the sweet treat in liquid form! more
In a perfect world, the advent of spring would come with an influx of social occasions rapidly filling up our social calendars. Picnics, barbecues, parties – sometimes many of these events land on the same day (there are only so many weekends to go around). When you're busy being a social butterfly, it helps having a beverage that won't have you stumbling from one soiree to the next, or too hung over for round two the next day. Big Drop Brewing Co. – one of the world's leading producers of ultra-low-alcohol craft beers – is arriving in Australia this week, debuting its heralded range of frothy beverages that are perfect for sustained summer sipping without the ensuing sore head. more
As distilleries around the country turn their attention towards creating pretty-hued sweet sips in line with current trends, the boutique Victorian-based Four Pillars is doing things a little differently and has created what could very well be the world's first olive-leaf gin. The savoury swill is guaranteed to have you dreaming of Mediterranean getaways and sojourns by the seaside, which is as close as we can get to a European adventure for the foreseeable future so we'll take it! more
One of the things we missed the most during the craziness of 2020 was the experience of sharing really good food with excellent company. The silver lining – if there was one to be found – was that after a few too many baking fails, we have a newfound appreciation for culinary wizards that keep our favourite kitchens running. Sure, talent is one thing but ask any chef anywhere and they'll tell you that the secret to every amazing dish starts and ends with quality ingredients. To put it bluntly, you can't polish a turd. If you are eager to up the ante in the kitchen and want to invest in some quality pantry staples, you need Co-Lab Pantry in your life. more
Once upon a time, your wine selection was basically red or white. Nowadays, if you peruse the wine list of your favourite restaurant, you're likely to come across a plethora of 'new' varieties including orange, skin contact, pet-nat and biodynamic – but what the heck does it all mean? To keep you up-to-date with cultural currency, Notwasted is here to help you navigate the wild (and tasty) new world of natural and minimal-intervention wines, and deliver them to your door. more
Do you remember the sheer unbridled joy you felt as a kid when you were let loose in the lolly shop with your pocket money? Nerds or Hubba Bubba? Gobstoppers? Or maybe something of the chocolate variety – the choice was (is) pretty overwhelming. If you make the decision to go vegan, suddenly, you discover that many (most) of the sweet treats that grace the confectionary aisle of your local supermarket are riddled with sneaky ingredients that are in fact derived from animals or insects. The good news is that there's an alternative – plant-based folk, say hello to Mylk Bar Sweets – it's an online lolly shop dedicated to completely vegan sweets! more
Remember sneaking into the pantry as a kid with a tablespoon (because teaspoons were for suckers) and eating Milo straight out of the tin? Who knows if it was the fear of getting caught or the immediate sugar rush but either way, it tasted so damn good. Inspired by these universal childhood memories, Heidi Briggs set out to recreate the experience just sans the guilt. The result is crum. more
Okay, we'll come right out and say it – we love cheese. In fact, we spend a disproportionate amount of our days thinking about, talking about and eating cheese. Whether it's a bitey blue, a creamy camembert or a gooey goat's cheese – it's all gouda (sorry, couldn't resist). If you too possess a deep love for cheesy goodness, we're willing to go out on a limb and suggest you might also appreciate the Mould Cheese Collective – a monthly delivery of happiness to your door. more
There are a plethora of reasons why you might be keen to give booze the boot – two-day hangovers, general health, financial gains, saving yourself from post-party remorse, you're designated driver, just to name a few. Regardless of your 'why', up until fairly recently, non-alcoholic alternatives have, well, kind of sucked. Thankfully, as Bob Dylan once mused, the times they are a 'changin and non-drinkers are no longer relegated to sipping sugary soft-drinks or bland beverages as there are some excellent alcohol-free alternatives popping up. One such option is Banks & Burbidge's alcohol-free gin, which looks and tastes like the real deal minus the drama. more
