Overview
Alcohol and vehicles don't typically make for a good mix. But when the transport in question is a tricycle — and when the driver dispenses rather than imbibes the drinks — it's a practice we can get behind.
The project, cutely dubbed Tipsy Tricycles, is a joint venture between The West Winds gin and Maidenii vermouth, both part of a new wave of locally produced, top-class spirits. Good food and good wine have been a part of Australian DNA for years, but of late there are also Australian-made spirits worth writing home about.
The West Winds Gin, made in Margaret River Western Australia, has found its way onto many a drinks list nationally. Brought to us by the passionate duo Jeremy Spencer and Jason Chan, it is setting itself apart by using great native botanicals like wattle seed and bush tomato. If you've tasted it, you don't really need to hear anymore.
"I love local booze. For two hundred and twenty plus years we have made good food, wine, and beer in this country, so why not fine liquor?" says Spencer. "It's an exciting time for the industry."
Customers seem to be embracing new and locally sourced products. "Spirits are more expensive, and especially with cocktails people are very wary to trying something new so they so stick to the big brands, stuff they know," says Nick Reed, manager of 1806 cocktail bar. "But I think people are really starting to come around."
Maidenii vermouth is a new player to the game, made by Shaun Byrne, resident bartender at Gin Palace, and French winemaker Gilles Lapalus. Just like The West Winds, it is a drink that is getting people excited about the prospects of Australian liquors.
Tipsy Tricycles will see the two drinks coming together with a touch of Campari, a lot of ice, some of Melbourne's most loved venues, a few tricycles, and no doubt some mischief. They are bringing negroni granitas to the streets. Each week the guys will ride their tricycles — tipsy or not — to a new venue and serve up the refreshing concoction from the street straight to the people.
"Sean Byrne and I grew up as kids in Cairns and used to ride trikes so this sort of morphed into a collaboration of our two current-day projects, being WWG and Maidenii Vermouth," Spencer says. "It's an icy-cool break from the summer's heat using Australian ingredients to showcase one of the world's great drinks."
Will Jeremy be on the trikes himself? "Damn right. As my father said, never tell a man to ride something you wouldn't ride yourself," he says.
While the schedule is only made available on their social media sites on the days that it is happening, we can expect some of Melbourne's iconic venues to get a visit, including 1806, Virginia Plain, Royal Saxon, Pei Modern, Toff in Town, Madame Brussels, Joe's Bar St Kilda, Meatball and Wine Bar, and Gin Palace.
"I'm really looking forward to being able to showcase these two great Aussie products. It's beautiful stuff. Being able to put these two things together is great. And they just taste bloody awesome," says Reed.
What can we expect next from these guys? "That would be telling," says Jeremy, "but it involves guns. And booze."
Find Tipsy Tricycles all over Melbourne, on random days and times until March 11. Track them through Twitter and Facebook.
