Overview
Rosebery's award-winning distillery Archie Rose is going experimental this month as it launches ArchieMite: a new 'buttered toast spirit' that uses Pepe Saya butter, a house-mix of 'mite' spreads and Sonoma sourdough toast in the distilling process. The umami-packed liqueur will launch at the Archie Rose Bar on Wednesday, May 8 — and we're not sure if we should be excited or not.
ArchieMite certainly won't be everyone's favourite, as descriptors like salty, buttery and savoury are not normally attributed to alcohol. But fans of Vegemite (and other umami-rich yeast-extract spreads) will likely appreciate this unusual spirit. Apart from the 'mites', a whopping 25-kilograms of freshly churned Pepe Saya and 15-kilograms of Sonoma's toasted sourdough went into the ArchieMite making.
If you want to taste the spirit in its best form, head along to Archie Rose Bar on the weekend for its themed Mitey Brunches — which will run noon–2pm every Saturday and Sunday from May 11–June 2. On the menu will be a list ArchieMite cocktails, so expect to drink the likes of a Mitey Bloody Mary, Espresso Mite-Ini, Mitey Colada and ArchieMite Pickleback. For food, there'll be build-your-own platters on offer, with the obvious options including Sonoma bread, Pepe Saya butter and breakfast spreads aplenty.
Next door at Gelato Messina's Rosebery HQ, the team has created ArchieMite-infused gelato sandwiches, too — using Sonoma bread, Pepe Saya butter and breakfast 'mite' spreads, of course. These will be available at the Archie Rose Bar from Wednesday, May 8 until sold out. And the Australia Museum will stay open after-dark to host a ArchieMite makers night in July.
The limited-edition run of 3000 bottles will also be available in bars, independent bottle shops and online for $79 per bottle. Come and get it.
Archie Rose's ArchieMite is available to purchase online from 10.30am on Wednesday, May 8.