Signature Drinks

Where to go when you want something special, specific or signature.

NSW

Papa Gedes — 348 Kent St, Sydney

This small voodoo-tiki-cocktail bar has been raking in the accolades for their chill, magical atmosphere, their absinthe range and, of course, their cocktails — their three favourites being the Gambling Priest (gin, Amaro Montenegro, lime and honey), the Zombie (Appleton Estate, brandy, Cointreau, grapefruit, falernum and FIRE; comes with a strong warning) and Divine Intervention (absinthe, apple, passionfruit shrub and lemon).

Different Drummer — 185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 

Although this place is an excellent all-rounder, people tend to go on about their whiskey sour (they do, like, every other sour you could want too). They've got a daily cocktail happy hour from 6-7.30pm, a 2am licence, tapas galore and also play a selection of rare grooves.

The Cidery Bar & Kitchen — Rydges World Square, 389 Pitt St, Sydney

Here's where you'd go if you had a hankering for some Aussie cider. In fact, they actually make their own Sydney Cider in-house — in the basement of the hotel! To complement the bevvies they have English pork pie, burgs, sliders, and wood fired pizzas on the menu.

Hinky Dinks — 185 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst

If you're looking for a place that's cute and fun - just perfect for a casual hang, but also makes a mean cocktail - Hinky Dinks might be your bag. It's got a '50s vibe with booths, a checkered floor, vintage bar stools and an award-winning bar menu. Their drinks menu is just as delightfully off-beat, with cocktails like Frozen Bourbon Milk Sundae (Woodford Reserve, in-house allspice dram, milk, spices and vanilla bean ice cream: frappe) and the Zombie, which is limited to two per person per night (four types of rum, maraschino, pomegranate syrup, fresh lime, passionfruit, grapefruit juice, absinthe flame: tiki).

VIC

Bad Frankie — 141 Greeves St, Fitzroy

If you really want to appreciate the local liquor, Bad Frankie boasts Australian spirits (rum, vodka, tequila, gin, whisky, brandy, absinthe,vermouth, liqueur) galore, plus a good-lookin' cocktails list. They also do jaffles, including the original Lamington Jaffle (!!!). Come on. What more could you want?

Shou Sumiyaki — 160 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

This elegant Japanese sake bar and grill has more than 80 kinds of sake for you to choose from. If you want a fine dining (charcoal-grilled meats before your very eyes!) and drinking experience that is removed from your everyday tipple, this'll do nicely.

Siglo — 2/161 Spring St, Melbourne

Siglo probably makes every list you can find on Melbourne's best espresso martinis. It's a Melbourne drink if there ever was one and Siglo's version is raved about, taking out the top title for many.

Gin Palace — 10 Russell Pl, Melbourne

Ah, yes, the palace of the gin. More specifically, where to get an absolute 10/10 martini, the drink Gin Palace is most famous for. They even do a Martini Master Class upon request.

Pastuso — 19 AC/DC Ln, Melbourne

This Peruvian grill is known for its slow-cooked meats, its ceviche dishes, and its pisco - Peru's national spirit. Pastuso's pisco bar is the first of its kind in Australia and their wine list has a South American bent. Try the pisco sour!