Overview
We're toes deep in cotton socks and this can only mean one thing — Brisbane has been plunged into the depths of July. Yes, winter is here. At night there is a frost to the air, and humidity is becoming but a distant cousin. You've been spending a concerning amount of time in bed, your social life is in peril and your doona has become your closest relationship. The time is now to leave your other half behind, crawl out from under the covers, grab that one jacket you own and get out.
The mission to find the best warm cocktails started out as a mere novelty bar crawl, but at the other end we've learnt three lessons: One, there is more to cocktails than crushed ice; two, many come with a free fire show; and most importantly, three, there is a true craft to getting warm drinks right (it's not all steam, gas and flames).
Canvas: Soul Lover No.1
What gets you up when you’re down? The Soul Lover No.1 from Canvas. With a blend of horny goat weed, damiana and passion flower included, it will be more than the alcohol affecting your decisions tonight. Tsingleton scotch, Illegal Mezcal, dark cocoa, black walnut and yellow chartreuse also go in the mix to make what tastes like an alcoholic hot chocolate. It’s served in a teacup topped with smoked whipped cream and mini marshmallows. If it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea (heh) Canvas does three other warm ones – try Professor Geraldo.
16 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Emporium: Provencal Hot Toddy
The folks behind Emporium Bar always produce a stellar cocktail menu, and Winter 2014 is no exception. We could go on about the caramel popcorn martini or Morning Tea gin one, but we’re here about warmth today. Emporium offers the Provencal Hot Toddy. In what essentially is warm apple juice that makes you a bit giggly, Martell VS cognac, Le Birlou apple and chestnut liqueur, lemon, apple juice and oregeat combine in a teacup topped with flaked almonds and fresh nutmeg.
1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Hoo Ha Bar: The Lenny
We once said “What Hoo Ha do, Hoo Ha do well” and the story is still the same when we’re not talking about milkshakes. Hoo Ha Bar has added ‘The Lenny’ to its winter offering, describing it as ‘a warm milk punch that hugs you in all the right places’. A mix of vodka, salted caramel (our favourite), honey and milk is steamed and sprinkled with chinese five spice and homemade orgeat chocolate. Winter isn’t so bad.
41 Tribune Street, South Brisbane
The End: Mulled Wine
Pocket-sized The End packs a punch. The small bar is always busy with locals, and they’ve found a surefire way to get you out on the frostiest of nights. The End’s new winter cocktail menu has a whole page dedicated to ‘winter warmers’ – that’s right, four cocktails plus mulled wine make the list. Served in a vintage teacup with a slice of orange, the mulled wine is made in house with Three Brothers shiraz, triple sec, brandy, its own spiced syrup and fresh fruit – better than a cup of earl grey any day.
73 Vulture Street, West End
Twig & Berry: Aceso’s Ichor
Newbie on the Newstead block, Twig & Berry has thrown up a great first cocktail menu. We went in for ‘Aceso’s Ichor’ (don’t ask us how to say it) – a mix of Martell VS, Luxardo Maraschino, water, lemongrass, cloves, star anise, black pepper, ginger and allspsice brewed with a lemongrass and ginger tea. Served in an espresso teacup, this hot cocktail sure packs a mighty kick and, as the ingredients may have given it away, tastes a lot like chai tea. Delicious alcoholic chai tea. Free fire show included in the making.
9/92 Commercial Road, Newstead
Escobar: Hot Toddy
New kid on the block, Escobar is doing it’s neighbourhood duty with a sweet winter offering that’ll make you want to claim it as your local. The venue is serving up a hot toddy – bourbon, apple, lemon, sugar and bitters – for a sweet $10 that’ll have you warm from the inside out. Sit down, sip it up and indulge in some old-school boardgames.
4/154 Merthyr Road, New Farm
Papa Jack’s: Hot Pumpkin'd Rum
Dessert and cocktails – two great loves. What if we told you Papa Jack’s had combined them with its Hot Pumpkin’d Rum? Pumpkin pie fans out there will appreciate the smooth, warm liquid of spiced rum, pumpkin puree, cream, whiskey barrel bitters, cayenne pepper and nutmeg dust. It is served in a small silver goblet – but be warned, this creamy drink packs a peppery kick at the end.
Corner Connor & McLachlan Streets, Fortitude Valley
Fourth Wall: The Aduous Road
We originally said Fourth Wall was ‘our little secret’, but times have changed since we’ve been harping on about it ever since. Fourth Wall is known for its what-do-you-feel-like-tonight cocktail menu, but dive in, ask for The Arduous Road and be rewarded with a hot gin punch. Manager Alex Boon has made it into the top 11 Australian finalists with his Hendrick’s hot gin cocktail and will be jetting off to Vanuatu for the comp in August. We suggest you jet into Fourth Wall now and try this delicious gin, sherry, lemon, peach bitters, and lavender and cucumber shrub concoction.
743 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
The Gresham: Spiced Stoneface
Step into The Gresham and back in time. This charming whiskey saloon plays on the days of yesteryear with its cedar tables, dark wooden bar and 20-bulb chandelier hanging three storeys above. The Gresham’s hot offering is the Spiced Stoneface – house-made spiced bourbon, cider, apple, ginger, spices and bitters. There’s a chesterfield couch here with your name on it, waiting to be sunk into with the aforementioned cocktail in hand and imaginary cigar in the other.
308-322 Queen Street, Brisbane
Jungle: Kope Lani
Sometimes you have to branch away from the espresso martini and Jungle Bar has the perfect answer. Havana Club, Kahlua, cold-press coffee and sugar is heated, layered with coconut cream and dusted with nutmeg. Chuck on the lei, but leave the grass skirt at home – tiki has never been so soul-warming,
76 Vulture Street, West End