Dandelyan x Charlie Parker's

Overview

Legendary London bar Dandelyan and Paddington's Charlie Parker's are joining forces this winter to bring you an evening of genius mixology and extreme botany. Think never-before-tasted cocktails infused with unexpected ingredients, put together by some of the world's best bartenders.

Having recently added World's Best Cocktail Menu 2018 to its bevy of awards — which also includes World's Best Cocktail Bar at the 2017 Spirited Awards and ranking second on the World's 50 Best Bars 2017 list — Dandelyan certainly knows a thing or two about mixing. It will be represented Down Under by cracking team James Wheeler and Will Meredith. They'll be working with Charlie Parker's trio Sam Egerton, Mario la Pietra and Tim LaFerla.

We can't give you details of the concoctions you'll be sampling, as they'll remain top secret until you arrive at the bar. We can tell you, however, that months and months of thinking, experimenting and mixing have gone into their making. But, to give you an idea of Dandelyan's imaginative powers, the bar's current menu features the BC3 Negroni (with gin, Dandelyan pollen vermouth, propolis, Sri Lankan coconut flower spirit Ceylon Arrack, Campari and aged honey) and Settling Stones (Maker's Mark, bitter aperitif, vermouth and 'coastal' fig).

"Given that our drinks are led by stories, the strength of the story tends to dictate which way the drink will go," says Meredith. "If a cocktail can hold an identity or personality whilst appealing to as many people as possible, then you're on to a winner."

Beam Suntory is presenting the event, so you can count on the involvement of some of its award-winning spirits, including the Japanese craft gin ROKU, Auchentoshan American Oak, Canadian Club 1858, Jim Beam Double Oak and Maker's Mark. The Dandelyan x Charlie Parker's collaboration will take place over two evenings: Tuesday, August 28 and Wednesday, August 29. Each night will have two sittings (6pm and 8.30pm, and you'll be given the choice of just having drinks (two for $30 per person) or going all in, with three drinks and a selection of food by Danielle Alvarez of Fred's, for $80 per person.

In case you won't be in Sydney in August, you might be excited to know that Dandelyan duo will also be sharing their wondrous skills at Maybe Mae in Adelaide, and Tiny's in Perth.

It's not every day that two of the world's most applauded cocktail-makers breeze into town, so, chances are, spots will fill up pretty fast. To make a booking, contact Charlie Parker's via phone or website.