Eight To Try: Aussie Booze Brands Taking Aperitivo Hour to the Next Level

Photo: Design By Ella Witchell

The rest of summer is all about native-fruit aperitifs, non-limoncellos, and pretty much any kind of spritz-ready drop that won’t hit you for six in the sun.

Words by Alice Jeffery · Updated on 27 Mar 2025 · Published on 09 Jan 2025

Still searching for your drink of summer? While pre-mixes have had a definite glow up since the days of UDLs past and no-booze beers continue to chart, we’ve been riding the latest wave of interesting aperitifs and liqueurs made right here in Australia. Boring booze, take a back seat – these are the best pours to sip, mix and savour this summer.

Departed Spirits Bloody Cello

$45

Yes, that vessel is made from surgical-grade stainless steel. And no, it’s not filled with olive oil. Melbourne’s Departed Spirits is all about subverting expectations, and this blood orange riff on a limoncello is no exception. This “hot mess of a drink” is infused with orange peel and dried husks of ancho chilli. It’s smoky, zesty, bitter and sour, and is begging for a splash of prosecco.

Buy at Departed Spirits

Tanica Australian Native Plum Aperitif

$45

Davidson’s plum gives Tanica its tangy flavour profile. Described as “botanical not bitter”, this aperitif is bright and fresh; it’s distilled in orange peel, mint, strawberry gum leaf, cinnamon bark, orris and angelica. Serve it as a spritz garnished with citrus and berries, or mix it with sweetened iced tea.

Buy at Bottle Stop

DNA Distillery Pear Rakija

$45

Five generations of Balkan spirit-making knowledge and two millennial cousins – Monique Sutevski and James Projcevski – are behind Sydney’s DNA Distillery. This fruity, crisp and slightly savoury pear rakija is based on their dedo’s (grandfather’s) recipe and made using Australian-grown pears before being double-distilled in small batches. It’s lighter, softer and slightly sweeter than classic grape varieties of rakija.

Buy at DNA Distillery

Saison Aperitifs Red Vermouth

$45

Vermouth’s comeback has been slow and steady over the past few years. Made in Melbourne by chef-slash-aperitif-nerd Dave Verheul of Embla fame, Saison Aperitifs offer a bright and fresh take on an Italian rosso vermouth to add to your bar. Whether it’s stirred into a batch of Negronis or spliced with a splash of tonic, nothing will make you feel like you’re on holidays more than this ruby-red bottle.

Buy at Saison Aperitifs

Brookie’s Mac Liqueur

$45

If you’re already a fan of Brookie’s gins, you’re going to want to grab a bottle of the Byron Bay distillery’s toasty macadamia- and wattleseed-flavoured liqueur. Smooth is an understatement when it comes to the nutty nuances of this caramel-coloured drop. Serve it on ice with a slice of lime or sub it into your favourite tiramisu recipe. This one also comes in a barrel-aged variety.

Buy at Bottle Stop

Beechworth Bitters Beetlejuice

$45

Rhubarb, citrus and flowers form the base of this very Aussie amaro. Named for the cochineal bug that lends its carmine colour to the final product, Beetlejuice is a gently bitter drink concocted by Provenance chef and owner Michael Ryan – thankfully, he turned his lockdown project into a lasting product. Say it three times, who knows what might happen?

Buy at Beechworth Bitters

Rhubi Mistelle

$45

A fresh take on the often forgotten French aperitif mistelle, Rhubi was originally dreamed up behind the bar of Sydney’s legendary, now-closed Bulletin Place. Fermented rhubarb juice is paired with a juniper spirit and herbal French gentian to create this unique drop. Match the notes of mandarin and grapefruit rind with some complementary fresh citrus as you make a spritz with plenty of ice and soda.

Buy at Rhubi Mistelle

Chell-Oh! Caffe

$45

Chell-Oh!’s brand of spirits is a collab effort from Alex Prichard and Matty Opai of Bondi’s Icebergs Dining Room & Bar. And while the limoncello and yuzuchello flavours pack a citrusy punch into spritzers and sips, it’s the coffee iteration that’s got our attention right now. Shake it into an Espresso Martini or serve on the rocks when you need a little evening pick-me-up.

Buy at P&V Merchants

If post-aperitif hangovers have you in a chokehold, stack your fridge with Seoul Tonic’s recovery drinks. Made with ginseng, Korean pear and apple cider vinegar, they offer a natural energy kick and help restore electrolytes after big boozy sessions. But they also make a tasty substitute for wellness shots in the morning.

Additional reporting by Simone Richardson.

We hope you like the products we recommend on Broadsheet. Our editors select each one independently. Broadsheet may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.

About the author

Alice Jeffery is a freelance writer and Broadsheet’s former shopping editor.