NEWS: BAR CART

Bar cart

Thirst quenchers, slow sippers and all things beverage related.

EDITED BY Annabelle Cloros

On the rocks

Australia’s first non-alcoholic ‘dram’ is here thanks to Lyre’s. Highland Malt has a soft earthiness and bouquet with notes of light grain cereal, stone fruit and almond. The whisky-style beverage evokes charred oak and warm spices alongside a ‘welcoming’ smoke. “Whether served neat or in mixers, whisky is a firm favourite for many around the world,” says David Murphy from Lyre’s. “Understanding this, we’ve worked tirelessly to study the aromas and tastes whisky fans most enjoy to deliver Highland Malt.”

Available from Dan Murphy’s, liquor retailers and lyres.com.au

Los Siete Misterios arrives

The local mezcal scene has been shaken up with the launch of Los Siete Misterios in Australia. The brand was created in 2010 by the Mestres brothers and produces mezcals according to traditional production methods in Oaxaca, Mexico. Siete Misterios says it “remain[s] respectful of one of the purest essences: mezcal, a genuine Mexican heritage”. Doba-Yej (bright, floral, citrus); Pechuga (fragrant and spicedriven) and Tobala (tropical fruit, herbs, wet earth) are now available and reflect the traditions of the agave spirit.

vanguardluxurybrands.com.au

Mix it up

Elevating drinks has become a lot easier with S.Pellegrino’s new mixer range that covers Ginger Beer, Tonica Citrus and Tonica Oakwood. The Ginger Beer can be sipped solo or used in a Moscow Mule, with the citrus tonic’s notes of lemon and orange peel plus bitter bark making it the ideal accompaniment to gin or vodka. Oakwood sees oak extracts generate bitter notes that highlight gin botanicals perfectly. $8.50 for a four-pack.

sanpellegrino.com

Hazy days

Sidewinder is channelling citrus and stone fruit in two new XPAs: lime and passionfruit. Brick Lane created Sidewinder to cater to the no- and low-alcohol markets, with the two new options joining the range and sitting at less than 0.5 per cent ABV.

The lime XPA has aromas of lime juice, orange oil and citrus hops along with stone fruit esters and a biscuity-malt character. Passionfruit is the hero in the second beer, which also has notes of guava and mango. Available at Dan Murphy’s and Coles.

sidewinderlife.com.au

Ginger zinger

Better Beer has expanded its range with an alcoholic ginger flavourway that combines nostalgia with those looking for a low-sugar beverage option. The founders developed the product for several months until they were happy with the final version, which has a spicy ginger hit and just 4g of sugar per 100ml. Described as “dangerously tasty alcoholic ginger beer that hits the spot”, the refresher is available at BWS and Dan Murphy’s.

betterbeer.com.au