Since April 2017, Manly Spirits Co. has been bringing handcrafted Australian spirits to the northern beaches and beyond. It's the brainchild of couple David and Vanessa, who spent 18 months visiting distilleries across the US, the UK and Europe before setting up their own digs in Manly.
To sample their creations, swing by the distillery's tasting bar. Lined with light timber, splashed with copper and dotted with turquoise-topped bar stools, this cosy spot hits just the right balance of coastal breeziness and pared-back industrial style.
Those unfamiliar with Manly Spirits should start with a tasting. There's a choice of four, including the Distillery Tasting Flight, which lets you sample three drops, and the G&T Flight, which includes premium tonic water, an ice bucket and garnishes, so you can mix and match to suit your tastes.
The Manly Spirits range takes much of its inspiration from Australian natives, especially those available along Sydney's coastline. The Marine Botanical Vodka, for example, features kelp and sea parsley foraged from local beaches, while the Coastal Citrus Gin is infused with lemon aspen, lemon myrtle, meyer lemon, sea parsley and coriander. There are whiskies and liqueurs, too.
Should you get peckish, the snacks menu offers cheese, sardines, jamon andr olives. Alternatively, you're welcome to order a pizza from nearby Mimmo or Sale Pepe.
Images: Alana Dimou.