Harbour bottled cocktails, not emotions, this lockdown. If your home drinks trolley is looking a little lacklustre and your mixology skills are subpar, have your favourite mélanges expertly blended and delivered to your door, pronto. We’ve handpicked the best bars and drink producers bringing swills to your sofa right now to make your selection even simpler. All that’s left to do is add to cart.
These are not your average premixed drinks. Starward Whisky’s (New) Old Fashioned, Coffee Old Fashioned and Whisky Negroni 500ml premade cocktails bring a touch of Mad Men flamboyance to your at-home imbibing. With 10 serves in each bottle, at $49, this range will put you in classy company on those leisurely (compulsory) nights in. starward.com.au
With sophisticated sets to suit discerning home-drinkers, The Everleigh Bottling Co. sends out its classic cocktail care packages (think Negronis, Martinis and Manhattans). And now, the purveyor of find premixes proffers bottled spritz cocktails too – try the Americano, French 75, Fruit Cup or the Palomita, in single serves or four-packs. everleighbottling.com
Those lamenting their lack of access to our beloved local bars – including the world’s 11th best bar, Maybe Sammy – can bring a taste of the good life to their tables (or beds, let’s be honest). Effortlessly prepare premium cocktails at home with Maybe Sammy’s new ready-to-pour range. Sample a Jasmine Negroni, a Chamomile Martini and a Eucalyptus Gimlet. The blends are available in 100ml single serves ($18), 500ml bottles ($69) or 3 x 100ml gift packs ($60) online. maybesammycocktails.com
Take your tastebuds on a tour of Australia without breaking any border restrictions. The distiller’s Red Centre Negroni, Rosella Sour, Wattleseed & Peach Iced Tea and Eucalypt Mule come in a generous 700ml bottle (we said bottle, not serve), while its spritzy canned cocktails celebrate the producer’s gin and vodka with a fizzy mixer. archierose.com.au
Joining forces with and bottling the best of Australian pourers and shakers – from Jacoby’s Tiki Bar to Black Pearl and Never Never Distilling Co – Curatif’s range of premade beverages ranges from the classics to the creative. curatif.com
Choose between a monthly cocktail subscription or individual order ready-to-drink bottled cocktails and cocktail making kits. Collaboration cocktails, including Poor Toms Blood Orange Negroni, Real Rogue Wild Wet Martini and a Mr Black Espresso Martini present ideal gifts for locked-down friends, while an all-new Splendour in the Grass dedicated ‘Splendour XR The Strummer Cocktail Kit’ puts those festival feels in a glass. cocktailporter.com.au
Using Bopple, those in the delivery zone for Continental Deli can order the bar’s famed tinned drinks to enjoy alongside the bar’s food menu. Try the Mar-tinny, Can-hattan, Cosmopoli-tin and many other charming, canned drops. Our eyes are on the Hot Buttered Rum – the antidote to these cold nights in. continentaldelicatessen.com.au
For the true negroni fans among us, Four Pillars Double Barrelled Negroni exists. Continental Deli, Curatif and Mr Black could be other good ones to include, but up to you. Happy for you to sub in ones you prefer. In the mix is the distiller’s spiced negroni gin, two barrel-aged gins, native wattle seed, chocolate, and a hint of rhubarb. Order a 500ml bottle for $60. fourpillarsgin.com
If you’re missing a much-loved Merivale venue, you’ll be delighted to learn you can order a signature bottled cocktail, or kit, from the Merivale At Home website to sip at your leisure. The Felix Sidecar, Bert’s Martini, Totti’s Homemade Limoncello, Totti’s Negroni, Jimmy’s Old Fashioned, Fred’s Old Fashioned, Bert’s 75, a Pineapple Americano, or an Ovation are on offer. Tips for best results are also on the website. merivaleathome.com
Just because you’re in your daggiest sweatpants at home, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve an expertly-made cocktail by one of the city’s best bars. If you’re looking to numb the pain of a long day in the home office, Melbourne bar The Ugly Duckling is now delivering its elegant, swan-like cocktails to your doorstep, including Jalapeno Margaritas, Salted Caramel old fashioneds and Mint Slice Hanky Pankys. All concoctions are made in house daily by mixologist Paul Beresford, then bottled in gold-capped 200ml vessels for delivery. theuglyduckling.com.au
When lockdowns became a thing, Melbourne’s Romeo Lane kicked into action and began producing vacuum-sealed cocktail packs for their regulars to enjoy at home. Now, the extensive selection includes a ‘Seven Day Weekend’ pack, featuring 10 ready-made cocktails, because who remembers what day it is during Melbourne’s umpteenth lockdown anyway? Favourites include the Baby Driver, Disco Martini, Penecillin and the Peach Negroni. romeolane.com.au
Three Foxes’ distillers presents Foxtails & Co – cocktails that can be chilled, shaken and poured from the convenience of your home (office). Select between a ‘party pack’ gift set or individual mixes. Opt for a traditional blend, like a Negroni, or sample something special, like the Cranberry Peach or Coconut Pear Pine concoction. threefoxes.com.au
From Bloody Marys to Mulled Wine, Mr Consistent has your home bar needs covered. Find cocktail mixers, kits, toppings (dried citrus and florals) and even glassware to bring home. Order as is, or have a personalised cocktail arranged for lockdown gift-giving done right. mrconsistent.com.au
In Hawthorne East, Victoria, Rosalitas is mixing small-batch, housemade cocktails and revitalising those enduring their fifth lockdown. Sample a Sazerac, Zombie, Southside, Bourbon Old Fashioned, Princess Fiona and Bar None’s Cocktail With No Name. Each bottle serves two. Or one, in a really big glass. rosalitas.com.au
Stock your drinks (and online) cart with all the go-to cocktails ready to pour, with help from Discerning Drinks Co. And, once you have your martini, negroni, mojito and cosmo classics sorted, try a Kangaroo – a cocktail that sees AVOSH Bottlebrush Honey Vodka, Adelaide Hills Vermouth and fresh lemon oils mingle in the bottle. discerningdrinks.com
