Melbourne is home to a sprawling cocktail bar scene that has many interesting, unique cocktails to choose from. To narrow down the list a little bit, here are three cocktails you should probably try while you are in Melbourne.
If you’re struggling with finding exciting places to try these cocktails, you might want to consider going on one of Show Me Melbourne’s Hidden Bar Tours, where we will show you a selection of the coolest hidden bars in Melbourne. You can find more information here.
1. Espresso Martini
Melbourne’s coffee culture is immense. The whole scene really kicked off after the Second World War when Italian immigrants brought over not only their delicious coffee beans but also the espresso machine. Over time, the taste for coffee spread to the point where we now have over 1600 cafés in Melbourne, with quite a large portion of those being independent and providing an unmatched quality of coffee. However, there is one problem with our coffee culture – most cafés close at 4 pm. So how can we get our fix when we’re out at night? And just as importantly, can we find a way to add alcohol to the equation?
Of course, we can!
This is where the espresso martini comes in. A beautiful combination of espresso, coffee liqueur, vodka and simple syrup (although this can be omitted) which is then topped with 3 coffee beans on the crema (the white foam bit on the top). This was originally created by Dick Bradsell in the late 1980s in London for a young lady who requested “something to wake me up, then fuck me up”. The key to a good espresso martini is quality ingredients, and really, the biggest difference maker is adding quality coffee. This is why the best espresso martinis in the world are found in Melbourne.
2. Japanese Slipper
It’s 1984, you’re listening to Van Halen, Kenny Loggins and Cyndi Lauper. The Terminator, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Karate Kid are all in cinemas. Here in Melbourne, there’s a cocktail-making competition. The victor is a French man named Jean-Paul Bourguignon (which may or may not be a fake name) who has come up with a delicious, bright green, melon-flavoured cocktail named The Japanese Slipper. Why is it called that? Nobody really knows. Perhaps it has to do with the elegant presentation of the drink, perhaps it has something to do with the fact Midori is the Japanese word for green. Much about this cocktail is mysterious, but what is known to us is that it’s delicious and looks fantastic.
Now, as a personal aside, this cocktail is the first I ever made while working in a bar. As I’m sure you can imagine, its bright green colouring and neat presentation intimidated me a little bit at first. I immediately assumed it must be really complex, but in this case, looks are deceiving. It’s made with equal parts Midori, triple sec and lemon juice and served with a maraschino cherry on the bottom of the glass. Easy, yet perfect in its simplicity.
The result is a lightly sweet cocktail that is very nicely balanced with the Midori clearly being the star of the show, whilst the triple sec and lemon juice complement it so that it’s the perfect level of sweetness. This drink is also great because it can suit almost any occasion. It’s classy looking, yet easy to drink and still exciting enough for a special event.
3. Penicillin
The most modern cocktail of the three, the penicillin was created in 2005 by Melbournian Sam Ross while working in Manhattan. It is a combination of two scotches (one blended and one single malt), honey, ginger, and lemon juice. It’s a drink that is simultaneously complex and soothing. It has some smoke from the scotch, a sweetness from the honey, a spice from the ginger, and a bit of acidity from the lemon juice. It certainly tastes like it would kill any disease you had, and indeed, that’s partly the idea behind the name, given the ingredients bear a striking resemblance to the sort of drink your mother might make you if you were down with a cold as a kid (perhaps she would leave out the scotch though).
This is the perfect cocktail to have in Melbourne if you want to be adventurous and are looking for something a bit different. It’s best had by the fire in any bar with a solid whiskey list and a nice, old-fashioned theme.
Whilst these are all extraordinary cocktails, Melbourne does have so many more to offer. In particular, you can find a lot of the most exciting cocktails at our hidden bars. The best way to find these hidden bars is to come on one of Show Me Melbourne’s Hidden Bar Tours, where we show you 3 of our favourite hidden bars in Melbourne. Whether you’re in Melbourne for a weekend, or you’re a local, it’s a perfect way to discover some of the city’s best alcoholic hidden gems. Click here to find out more or here to book your tour now!
