Australia’s luxurious conservation-based resort (Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley) housed in the Blue Mountains has just unveiled a bespoke, locally-distilled gin inspired by the bounty of the region. Named 1832 Wolgan Gin, it has been crafted with true provenance using foraged native botanicals and local waters. Created alongside Mikey Enright, owner of gin bar ‘The Barber Shop’ and Ian Glen, of Stone Pine Distillery, the finished product is deeply aromatic, distilled with purified water from the Carne Creek which flows through the resort. With a distinctive flavour profile, the gin has been infused with seven native botanicals including finger lime, juniper berry and lemon-scented tea tree, reflective of the Australian bushland. This exclusive bottle can be enjoyed at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley resort and The Barber Shop in Sydney, showcased in three bespoke cocktails. A limited quantity of bottles will be available to purchase online at here.

Matilda 159 have created a Christmas Day menu that’s all about the Aussie spirit. Including damper, Queensland banana prawns, northern territory barramundi and the classic pavlova, it’s the perfect festive celebration in true blue style. For $150pp, you can enjoy four delectable courses with family and friends amidst a sophisticated backdrop. Wine pairing and festive cocktails will be available on the day for an additional price. For bookings, contact info@matilda159.com or call(03) 9089 6668.

Oh, how we love gin. In our drinks, infused in our food and now in gelato? Gin Lane is bringing the past and future together, combining a retro soft serve ice cream with a mind-blowing gin infusion. Gin Lane founder and legendary mixologist Grant Collins has teamed up with gelato guru David Lopresti (Florentia) to bring you this unique cocktail experience, just in time for summer! Using fresh press juices, natural sugars and a cheeky splash of Tanqueray Gin and Italian Prosecco, the result is out of this world. You can expect soft serve negronis, aperol spritz cones and a frozen Singapore sling. These beauties are available for just $10 in a cone or $8 in a cup, so when the heat kicks in you know where to go!

Global cognac brand Hennessy is always on the lookout for culture makers from all corners of the world who share the same passion for innovation. The #HowWeHennessy program exists to shine a light on local hospitality heroes who are achieving great things in their field of work. This year, the program is honoring Morgan McGlone (Belle’s Hot Chicken), Julian Cincotta (Butter) and Charlie Lehmann (Ramblin’ Rascal). To celebrate, Hennessy is releasing a limited-edition 2018 Hennessy VS bottle by Portugese street artist, Vhils. The spectacular artwork featured on the bottle is a must-have for any whiskey enthusiast this Christmas as it undoubtedly will become a collectors item. The bottle is available for purchase at exclusively in Dan Murphy’s and BWS for $75.

The QT Sydney has switched over to Christmas mode, with Gowings Bar & Grill offering up a fabulously festive menu including Christmas Pudding Ice-Cream Profiteroles. If you’re looking to skip on the cooking and cleaning on Christmas Day, the hotel is offering Christmas Day menu, done two ways. You can opt for a traditional feast filled with glazed leg ham, crispy brussels sprouts and layers of cherry coconut chocolate trifle. For those with a penchant for a traditional Australian menu, they have just the selection for you. Imagine tables filled with freshly shucked oysters, kingfish crudo, grilled lobster, roast suckling pig cutlets and a passionfruit and lemon myrtle pavlova, Christmas couldn’t come soon enough! Get ready to cheers a Champagne filled flute and make your booking here.

Nothing says summer like a wine glass filled with rosé on a sunny afternoon. Saké Restaurant & Bar Double Bay will usher in the party season with a long and lavish rosé Champagne lunch, taking place every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm. For two glorious hours, you can expect only the best in food and drink, with unlimited refills of Ruinart Rosé Champagne accompanied by share-style dishes like roasted scallops, lobster tail tempura and Saké’s famous white chocolate dragon egg. The lunch is $199p but drinking and grazing till your hearts content makes it worth every penny. Make your reservation here.

Jamie Oliver’s Italian and Jamie’s Ministry of Food are calling for volunteers this Christmas Day, as they host a free Christmas Charity lunch for families doing it tough across Australia. For a lot of us, Christmas means food, family and good times but for others it can mean stress and loneliness. Nobody should spend Christmas Day alone, so the program is giving back in true Italian style by pulling up extra seats and welcoming people through the doors with a delicious meal. Jamie’s Ministry of Food is calling on volunteers across the country from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth to roll up their sleeves and give some time on Christmas Day to help out. Everything from serving, washing dishes and even dressing up as Santa himself, any help would be greatly appreciated by all. This is a very special opportunity for the local community to come together and lend a hand to those who really need it, after all, that’s what the true Christmas spirit is all about! To register as a volunteer and take part in this rewarding opportunity, please see here.

After the sell out release of the 2017 vintage, Handpicked Wines have decided to grace our glasses again with a limited edition rosé in partnership with fashion label, Romance Was Born. The two share a mutual love of creativity and playfulness, two qualities evident in the latest release plucked from the winery’s Yarra Valley vineyard, featuring an aesthetically unique label from celebrated designers, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales. The label design was inspired by the fashion brands ‘Cosmic Disco’ pieces, reminiscent of starry skies with its eye-catching colours. The rosé was created with Pinot Noir grapes before undertaking the fermenting process on Viognier skins to add texture. It now forms part of the Handpicked Wines Spring Summer 2018/2019 Collection, an eclectic lineup of lighter wines, made for the summertime. The drop is currently retailing online for $28.99 and is set to be a hit for wine and fashion lovers alike.

Sydney-based meat lovers are in for a special treat on the 11th and 12th of December, courtesy of Anthony Puharich and Matt Moran. The beloved Australian duo will be hosting an evening filled with three courses of mouth-watering meats and a tell-all talk to answer all your burning questions. Anthony’s newly released book ‘Meat: The Ultimate Companion‘ will be available to purchase on the night, where you can ask the man himself all about his butchers bible. Tickets are $110 per person (or $170 with a copy of Anthony’s book), this price includes a three course share-style experience with un unforgettable Tomahawk feast and a two hour beverage package. The spectacular dinner will take place at Matt’s Chophouse venues in both Sydney and Parramatta. Tickets are extremely limited so be sure to secure yours now .

If you’re looking to take a stroll through tinsel town, look no further than The Streets of Barangaroo. The precinct is celebrating all things Christmas with masterclasses (think wreath making with Flowers for Everyone and cocktail shaking with Untied) and a huge Christmas shopping night with special offers, free flowing bubbles and complimentary gift wrapping. Perfect for those notorious last-minute shoppers, the shopping precinct has all of your Christmas shopping needs bundled in one convenient spot with much-loved retails outlets including David Jones, Bel & Brio, Somedays, Shirt Bar, Oh! Boo Chocolates and Title. From the snazzy dresser to the antique vinyl lover, The Streets of Barangaroo offers the perfect gift for every recipient in your life this season. And what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than wandering streets adorned with festive cheer?

There’s nothing quite like an Australian New Years Eve; the warm weather, the fireworks and the best music to get the party started from this year to next. Encompassing all the best parts of an Aussie New Year, The Bucket List Bondi has announced their biggest party ever, right on Sydney’s most iconic beach. Featuring the disco DJ king himself Late Nite Tuff Guy, the musical icon will play at the premier beach club alongside an incredible support lineup. Tickets for this unforgettable beachside bash are available now and it promises to be the night of nights to round off 2018 and kick off 2019.

It’s not easy creating a new blend of rum, but for head distiller of Brix Distillers Shane Casey, the past few months have seen him do just that. Taking the tasting notes from the distilleries crafted Brix White and five-year-old Caribbean gold rum, the result is an exquisite combination of the two. Tasting over 100 variations before settling on the final product, it’s safe to say this new collection of rum has been tried and tested to ensure perfection. The rum forms part of a new offering ‘Brix Spiced‘, a spirit infused with cinnamon; grapefruit; and native Australian spices. The drink is best had neat or in a classic cocktail like the espresso martini. The perfect gift to spice up a rum lovers collection, the unique blend is available at Dan Murphy’s for $86.90

Christmas is the season of giving and this year, Steam Mill Lane will be hosting a Charity Sneaker Drive to spread the generous spirit. On the 12-14th December from 12pm – 3.00pm, the laneway will come together with Butter and ‘Shoes For Planet Earth‘ to provide recycled running shoes to those in need. If you have a pair of old kicks you’re considering throwing away, don’t! Instead, take them to the drop off point (outside 8bit burgers at Steam Mill Lane) and receive a delicious sweet treat as a reward (we told you it was the season of giving after all). On the 12th, receive free miso banana bread from Edition, on the 13th a free hot cinnamon donut from Butter and the 14th will see Gong Cha handing out free bubble tea for all shoe donators. You can find more information on the steps to take here, leading you all the way to a sweet reward and good cheer.

Kensington Streets Barzaari Chippendale at The Old Clare Hotel is offering a special day of vegetarian delights on Tuesday the 11th December. Guests are invited to enjoy an Eastern Mediterranean vegetarian feast over lunch and dinner, specially curated by head chef Darryl Martin. The a-la-carte menu has been carefully tailored to all your herbivore needs, with dishes of chickpea in cumin tahini, broccolini with muhammara and a pistachio and mastic parfait among others. The restaurant is using these meals as an opportunity to showcase the diversity of vegetables, with an Eastern inspired twist. Bookings for this one-off opportunity are essential and can be made here.

It’s starting to feel like summer as Restaurant Labart rolls into the warmer weather with a focus on lighter food offerings, refreshed drinks list and seasonally-led three course lunch menu inspired by Parisian bistros. Continuing the celebration of lazy nights in a summer haze, the restaurant will also be opening on Sunday evenings throughout December and January for those long lunches that last until dinner. Fresh, local produce is set to grace the menu, including Hiramasa kingfish, stracciatella, strawberries, burnt orange dressing and BBQ prawns. An unmissable lineup of desserts will also be on offer with hero ingredients like pineapple, white chocolate curd and lemonade granita. For the liquid libations, expect to see summer drenched cocktails made with vodka, citrus, orange bitters and Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin. Burleigh Heads is undoubtedly the place to be this summer to fulfill all your foodie fantasies, courtesy of Restaurant Labart.