Covert Cocktails: A Perrier Tea Break

Take one secret Sydney location and one celebrated Perrier mixologist, and what do you have? Concrete Playground’s first covert cocktail, that’s what, brought to you from one of Sydney’s best kept hideaways: Wendy’s Secret Garden.

Tomas Vikario is a beverage innovation manager and top mixologist from Croatia. He divides his time between New Zealand and Australia, working on new cocktail ideas for brands like Perrier. “The source was discovered a long time ago by the Romans,” Tomas tells us, “and today, it’s an iconic brand found in many of the world’s best bars and restaurants. Perrier, is great for mixology, because of the long-lasting bubbles. It’s 100% natural, from volcanic soil.”

The mixologist, who is a little like the Adriano Zumbo of cocktail making, has been creating innovative drinks for 18 years in Europe and Australasia. He loves to travel, and says that he likes to take inspiration from the places he visits and convert the aromas and flavours from a place into a drink.

For the first in a series of new cocktail recipes for Concrete Playground, Tomas is making a ‘Perrier Tea Break’ in the luscious surround of Wendy’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay (here's a map). A formerly derelict space, owned by NSW Rail Corp, the public space was restored by Australian artist Wendy Whiteley, widow and former muse of the Archibald Prize-winning painter Brett Whiteley. Wendy removed old train carriages and dumped waste, creating a truly hidden spot that anyone can visit, at any time.

After heading down the secluded path into the gardens, Tomas found a spot in the sun, overlooking Sydney Harbour, to show us how to make a ‘Perrier Tea Break’. “It’s like a garden,” he says, “oranges, apples and lemon... It’s easy to make and it’s romantic. I can imagine two people escaping to this garden, hiding away, and enjoying something like this. It’s very refreshing; perfect for a hot day.”

In his picnic basket:

1 orange
1 lemon
Orange blossom water, or essential orange oil
330ml bottle of Perrier water (chilled)
Apple flavoured vodka (optional)

Step 1

First, peel approximately 4cm of the zest of an orange. Using a knife, score the zest length-ways, then twist and squeeze over a glass or cup to release the fruit’s oils and aroma. (To look like a true pro, swirl the zest along the rim of the glass before popping it in the bottom of the cup).

Step 2

Peel and score the zest of a lemon. Twist and squeeze the lemon zest, as with the orange in step one, to release the fruit’s oils and aroma. Place the lemon zest in a teapot or glass container.

Step 3

Add two drops of orange blossom water, or essential orange oil, in to the teapot. If you don't have a nifty measuring pipette like Tomas, one or two teaspoons will work just as well.

Step 4

Add one 330ml bottle of Perrier water and stir. For the best results, ensure the Perrier is chilled. (Perfect! No need to pack the ice).

Step 5 (optional)

To take this refreshing mocktail to a cocktail, simply add 60ml of flavoured vodka. Tomas uses Smirnoff’s apple vodka to create a his Perrier Tea Break, but he also recommends Belvedere orange or lemon flavoured vodkas.

Enjoy!

Finally, kick back and enjoy this refreshing, clean and fruity drink with sweet treats and sunshine. A glorious garden picnic!