UPDATE: Thursday May 6, 2021 — New COVID-19 restrictions have been announced. We'll keep you updated on this event as the situation changes. For the latest information, visit NSW Health.

From the shaken to the stirred and everything in-between — this May, the country's world-class mixology scene will be celebrated in a very big way at a brand-new month-long drinks festival. The inaugural Australian Cocktail Month is set to kick off Saturday, May 1, descending on venues across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide with a diverse lineup of crafty collaborations and exclusive concoctions.

Here in Sydney, 18 venues will help the event make its grand debut, including local favourites The Lobo, Dead Ringer, PS40, Maybe Sammy and Jangling Jacks. They'll spend the month whipping up creative-charged festival cocktails (and mocktails) using drops from both local brands — think: Brix Distillers, Mr Black, Starward and Regal Rogue — and international labels like 1800 Tequila, Bombay and Glenfiddich.

To get among the best of it, grab a $20 Australian Cocktail Month ticket and enjoy full access to all of the participating venues' cocktail creations. Alcoholic drinks will be priced at $14 a pop, with low-alcohol and booze-free options clocking in at $10.

Jangling Jacks

Top image: PS40, Alana Dimou.