Six Bars Pouring Caribbean-Influenced Cocktails to Keep Those Summer Vibes Alive This Winter
Remain blissfully unaware that summer's over with this selection of tropical tipples.
Six Bars Pouring Caribbean-Influenced Cocktails to Keep Those Summer Vibes Alive This Winter
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Remain blissfully unaware that summer's over with this selection of tropical tipples.
Winter's rolling in, but if you're not ready to let the warm days slip away just yet, a summery whisky cocktail could be your answer. Normally, the belly-warming properties of whisky call for a cosier setting. See: dimly lit bars, roaring fires, snuggle sessions. But this season, that's all changing.
Ardbeg, makers of one of the world's smokiest whiskies, is getting ready to release a summer carnival-inspired drop, Ardbeg Drum. This special blend has been created by taking the traditional Ardbeg drop from ex-bourbon casks and then resting it in rum casks, adding a uniquely Carribean note to the already complex favourite.
This limited-edition drop will be released in stores on Saturday, June 1, coinciding with the brand's annual party, known as Ardbeg Day. Yep, it seems that Ardbeg — and whisky fans — have a lot to celebrate. So, in the lead-up to this big day, Ardbeg has teamed up with a bunch of Brisbane bars to keep the warm weather vibes going. Across the entire month of May, the bars will be slinging the salty, smoky tones of Ardbeg 10 Years Old in a selection of cocktails. From the aromatic essence of a fine Cuban cigar to the spice of barbecue jerk seasoning, here are six ways bars will infuse the spirit of Caribbean summer into their menus.
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The renowned riverside destination Pony Dining is leaping on board for Ardbeg Day and lending its refined taste to the carnival celebration. While an exquisite menu of Australian produce is normally the main event during a visit to Pony, this cocktail is ready to take centre stage in May. Pony Dining presents for your enjoyment the Ardbeg whisky sour — a rich, peaty whisky base with a zingy, lifting citrus mix of lemon and lime and the balancing body of sugar syrup and egg white to round it off. It’s an elegant classic (very on-brand for Pony), but with a fruity burst worthy of the Caribbean tropics. If it’s a chilly day on the garden terrace, sit inside with your Ardbeg whisky sour and, perhaps, a sumptuous seasonal nibble. Bask in the elegant interior, where the glow of the magnificent Argentinian wood-fired grill naturally complements the warm smokiness of the whisky.
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Bacchus is unquestionably a South Bank institution, but it still knows how to shake things up with some exciting innovations. After all, you don’t get to be an award-winning restaurant without a few tricks up your sleeve. For Ardbeg Day, Bacchus is offering a cocktail that could be a degustation piece in itself, reflecting the modern Australian menu style for which the restaurant is known. The Bee Keeper cocktail is a real globetrotter — with a special little taste of home. It’s an exquisite fusion showcasing Queensland produce, Scottish whisky, Italian tradition and jerk spice — the essence of Jamaican woodfire barbecue. The Bacchus spice rub of nutmeg, chilli, thyme, ginger, paprika and coconut sugar is blended with summery Aperol, Ardbeg 10 Years Old and a Queensland honey blend. It’s bright, luxurious and will whisk you away to a hot Jamaican afternoon.
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Blackbird Bar and Grill treats cocktail creation as a serious art form. You’d expect no less from a venue that cites The Great Gatsby as a core influence. The commitment to Prohibition-era style goes beyond the opulent furnishings and shimmering art deco wallpaper. Blackbird’s award-winning bartenders create drinks any flapper or dapper gentleman would happily flout the law for. Led by the adventurous spirit of carnival, Blackbird has pulled the peaty whisky out of Scotland and led it to a full-on tropical getaway. For the Islay Crusher, coconut-washed Bacardi Carta Blanca is mixed with grenadine, grapefruit and pineapple, with a decent dash of Ardbeg to bring it together. With a sunrise colour palette and the syrupy mixed-fruit sweetness tempered by the whisky, it’s like waking up in paradise beside the Caribbean sea — with a 180-degree panorama of the Brisbane River instead.
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What’s better for holding on to the summer spirit than hanging out pool-side? Get the party started at Soleil Pool Bar, where you can slip between the slick, ultra-modern interior and the lamp-lit, open-air wooden deck as weather permits. Because let’s face it, we’ve still got more than a few warmish days ahead. Despite the casual beach chic decor, cocktail making is a serious art here. The masters of unique cocktail combinations at Soleil are ready to transport you to Latin America with the flavour twists of the Cuban Links cocktail. Along with a generous dash of Ardbeg 10 Years Old, the highlight of the concoction is a special syrup with drunk raisin (macerated with balsamic and Grand Marnier), grilled chilli and Montecristo cigar tobacco infusion. Mixed with sharp lemon juice, bitters and an egg white, this drink doubles down on both smoky tones and luxurious smoothness.
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If you’d prefer to have a carnival experience with a VIP edge, dip below the street surface and discover what The Boom Boom Room has to offer. This basement bar’s instantly recognisable lavishness is worthy of its history — after all, a lot of wealth was hoarded in old bank vaults here. In spite of a decidedly Highland name, the Bog Cutter is an elaborate, extravagant concoction that perfectly captures The Boom Boom Room aesthetic. It leans into Ardbeg’s deeper tones, with a nutty Amontillado sherry and absinthe liquorice notes. The mixer is bittersweet, with mingled burnt orange and honey, acid-adjusted orange juice and Angostura bitters. Then, pandan-infused Bacardi Ocho is added for a lift of tropical sweetness. Immerse yourself in a truly complex flavour profile, take in the live music and lose yourself in a uniquely ‘Boom Boom Room’ spirit of carnival. And then, to wrap up this epic month of whisky drinking, head along to The Boom Boom Room’s huge Ardbeg Day party on Saturday, June 1.
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Neatly situated on the Brisbane River, with views of the Story Bridge, Mr and Mrs G Riverbar makes the transition into the cooler weather easier. Named after its owners — Andy and Marcia Georges — Mr and Mrs G is playful and airy, with a decorative tiled bar, plush colourful furnishings and floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the river, plus a large open balcony, making it the perfect escape from the cold. The bar offers up an extensive and creative cocktail list alongside predominantly Mediterranean tapas plates. But the water views alone are enough for you to believe it’s still summer. Plus, to keep the fire in your belly as Brisbane gets chillier, its created the Smoky Gimlet. This fresh, simple cocktail is made with vodka, Ardbeg 10 Years Old, lime juice and simple syrup and shaken over ice. Pair your tipple with some harissa spiced lamb and haloumi skewers and pretend you’re far, far away enjoying a European summer.
Top Image: Mitchell Ferris.
