The talented mixologists at Stingray at QT Gold Coast have merged on-trend spirits and liqueurs with in-season produce to create an impressive new cocktail spread. What’s even cooler is that the fresh stuff like coriander (don’t diss it until you’ve sipped it, coriander-haters) and rosemary comes straight from QT Gold Coast’s own rooftop garden and into your cocktail glass. Now we’re in autumn, we’re seeing less of the summer-time wine spritz’s and more of the deeper-flavoured cocktails. Gin is still king, but we’re seeing the likes of tequila, white rum and bourbon in the mixer with less-than-traditional accompaniments, in true Stingray style.

If cocktails had a beauty pageant, the Surfer’s Sour would win – this one is darn pretty. It’s based on lemongrass Bacardi with creme de peche, shaken with drops of hibiscus bitters, green tea, fresh lemon and egg white, it’s then strained and topped with a pink edible flower … we told you it was pretty. If the floral theme ain’t your jam, then you’ll want to get yourself acquainted with the Candied Jalapeno Margarita, based on fancy Herradura Plata tequila with cointreau, topped with jalapeno slices, black lava salt and dehydrated candied jalapenos – what a mouth-bang. The QT G&T puts a cool spin on our beloved, with a mix of elderflower quinine syrup, muddled cucumber and cucumber soda, topped with rosemary and a fresh cucumber roll. For the Jack Daniel’s-lovers, the Apricot Basil Smash will hit the spot – a nip of the good stuff is shaken with fresh lemon, apricot jam syrup, honeyed apricot and hickory-smoked bitters with basil leaves. Stingray recently launched Kung Fu Dumpling Thursdays and Island Life Fridays – so there’s your excuse to go and test these new drinkables out.