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Cocktails for Beginners

Simple cocktails for beginners.

Those pretty bottles in the cupboard aren’t just for show. If you’ve always been curious about expanding your suite of basic mixers, we can help. For the spirits each respectable home bar should have, basic twists on the classics, icy-pole cocktails, easy tips and how to make the best batched cocktails (and what “batching” is) for summer, look no further.

Recipe: A Rich Dark-Chocolate Cake To Pair With a Paloma (With a Twist)

Recipe: A Rich Dark-Chocolate Cake To Pair With a Paloma (With a Twist)

You don’t want to finish a dinner party on some quick and forgettable dessert. In partnership with Don Julio tequila, here’s a dark-chocolate cake recipe that includes smooth tequila as both an ingredient and an ideal drink pairing.

Recipe: Barbeque King Prawns With Fermented Grapefruit and a Cool Twist on Tequila

Recipe: Barbeque King Prawns With Fermented Grapefruit and a Cool Twist on Tequila

Karena Armstrong of McLaren Vale’s Salopian Inn shares a clever recipe for citrusy prawns on the barbeque, and a twist on tequila to pair. In partnership with Don Julio, we find out how to strike the balance between salty, sour and sweet.

Recipe: A Fresh and Fragrant Kingfish Dish Enlivened by a Tequila Cocktail

Recipe: A Fresh and Fragrant Kingfish Dish Enlivened by a Tequila Cocktail

Japan meets Mexico when kingfish is prepared with a cucumber-dashi dressing and complimented with tequila. In partnership with Don Julio, Dorothy Lee from Hartsyard talks about one of her favourite pairings at the Newtown restaurant that you can easily whip up when entertaining at home.

Recipe: Brent Savage’s Roast Padron Peppers With Jamon Crumb (and a Tequila Cocktail)

Recipe: Brent Savage’s Roast Padron Peppers With Jamon Crumb (and a Tequila Cocktail)

Veteran chef Brent Savage has created a make-at-home dish for a delicious snack full of punchy Iberian flavours. In partnership with Don Julio, we get the recipe and pair it with a sharp grapefruit and tequila cocktail.

Tommaso Bartoli’s Couscous Tart (Paired With a Light Vermouth and Tonic)

Tommaso Bartoli’s Couscous Tart (Paired With a Light Vermouth and Tonic)

Classic Italian cuisine is getting a dramatic makeover at Bio at DOC, the Carlton eatery committed to a fully vegetarian and gluten-free menu. In partnership with Belsazar vermouth, head chef Tommaso Bartoli previews his next seasonal menu with a creamy couscous side dish for two that’s perfect for pairing with an equally light, low-alcohol cocktail.

Recipe: A Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

Recipe: A Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

Fruit-infused spirits make for an ideal alternative to sugary cocktails, especially in the hands of a pro. In partnership with Cîroc, we find out how Bulletin Place co-owner Tim Philips marries watermelon, coconut water and kombucha in the High Water.

Watch: Make a Coffee-Spiked Old Fashioned

Watch: Make a Coffee-Spiked Old Fashioned

A simple caffeinated riff on the modern cocktail classic, which you can easily make at home.

Six Spirits to Order Now

Six Spirits to Order Now

Want to make cocktails, but missing the basics? Andrea Gualdi has got you covered. In partnership with Diageo World Class, the award-winning bartender behind Sydney’s Maybe Sammy recommends the essential spirits for your cupboard bar – and exactly what you can do with them.

The Ideal Anatomy of a Well-Stocked Liquor Cabinet

The Ideal Anatomy of a Well-Stocked Liquor Cabinet

Stock your home bar with these essentials. In partnership with Tanqueray London Dry Gin, we talk to an industry veteran about the liquor must-haves for your cupboard (and batching cocktails for the apocalypse).

Recipe: How to Make an Irish Cold Fashioned

Recipe: How to Make an Irish Cold Fashioned

A simple caffeinated riff on a modern classic. In partnership with Roe & Co, we find out how to make an Old Fashioned new again.

The New Wave in Vermouth

The New Wave in Vermouth

Vermouth is making a comeback in Australia. In partnership with Belsazar, we talk to Global World Class Bartender of the Year alumnus Tim Philips about our history with the stuff and the way we should be drinking it today (yes, he provides an exact recipe).

Watch: The Botanical Spritz You’ll Be Drinking All Summer

Watch: The Botanical Spritz You’ll Be Drinking All Summer

In partnership with Ketel One Botanical, we travel to Bondi for a peachy spritz.

Why Put Water in Your Whisky?

Why Put Water in Your Whisky?

Some whisky connoisseurs recommend adding a splash of water to whisky. Diageo whisky ambassador and whisky expert Simon McGoram explains why.

A Cocktail for Every Day of the Week

A Cocktail for Every Day of the Week

Seven excellent cocktails, seven days of the week. Coincidence?

A Cocktail Jug Recipe for Any Kind of Party

A Cocktail Jug Recipe for Any Kind of Party

Pre-batched cocktails make fuss-free entertaining staples year-round. Here are four ideas to bookmark now.

Three Easy-To-Make Whisky Cocktails

Three Easy-To-Make Whisky Cocktails

An expert’s guide to getting into whisky at home.

Two Pimm's Recipes for Summer

Two Pimm's Recipes for Summer

How to make the classic summer cocktail – and two twists.

What Happened to the Cosmopolitan?

What Happened to the Cosmopolitan?

Once loved, now forgotten. Here’s what it’s going to take to make Cosmos cool again.

The Cocktail of the Summer

The Cocktail of the Summer

You’ve heard of Frosé. Let us introduce you to #Trending.

Fruit-Infused Gin

Fruit-Infused Gin

What’s more interesting than regular gin? Infusing it with fruit. Here’s how.

Recipes: Two Batched Cocktails for Spring

Recipes: Two Batched Cocktails for Spring

Including a Pimm's Cup.

How to Love Whisky (Even If You Hate It)

How to Love Whisky (Even If You Hate It)

Don’t let a bad first impression get in the way. Whether you’re on the fence or devoutly against, it’s not too late to give whisky another chance.

Aperitif vs Digestif: An Explainer

Aperitif vs Digestif: An Explainer

Round out the night with a Matcha Matcha Man.

A Twist on Japan's Best-Known Cocktail

A Twist on Japan's Best-Known Cocktail

When a Whisky Highball meets ginger and cranberry.

Whisky: What You’re Actually Tasting When You Drink It

Whisky: What You’re Actually Tasting When You Drink It

It’s not specifically an ingredient, but it’s the first thing you’ll notice.

A Gin Cocktail to Drink with Thai Food

A Gin Cocktail to Drink with Thai Food

Sippin' on gin and (lemon) juice.

Is This The Simplest Cocktail?

Is This The Simplest Cocktail?

A classic to make at home, time and time again.

Easy Martinis

Easy Martinis

They're simple, if you follow the rules.

An Old Fashioned Celebration

An Old Fashioned Celebration

We usually reach for the champagne when there’s an occasion worth celebrating. Why?

How to Make Cocktails Like a Pro at Home

How to Make Cocktails Like a Pro at Home

Solid advice from Australia’s new top bartender.

Recipe: A Palate-Cleansing Cocktail

Recipe: A Palate-Cleansing Cocktail

A Black Pearl bartender shares a light before-dinner drink that’s easy to make at home.

What Is Craft Vodka?

What Is Craft Vodka?

Can this neutral spirit be considered craft?

Behind Bourbon

Behind Bourbon

We might think of it as a simple mixer, but bourbon deserves recognition as a premium spirit. Charles Ainsbury, an Australian World Class Champion bartender, explains why.

A Champagne Cocktail for Spring

A Champagne Cocktail for Spring

What you should be drinking at your next celebration.

The Definitive Martini Explainer

The Definitive Martini Explainer

The beauty of a martini is its simplicity: gin or vodka, vermouth and garnish. But it’s the simplicity that also makes the classic drink difficult to define.

Glassware Explained

Glassware Explained

Often we can tell a drink by the silhouette of its glass. But are the traditional shapes we take for granted designed for fashion or function?

Home Bar Basics with Tim Philips

Home Bar Basics with Tim Philips

Fine drinking doesn't start and end in a good bar. Former World Class Bartender of the Year Tim Philips gives us the 10 essential elements for serious home drinking.

The Big Chill

The Big Chill

When you're trying to make the perfect drink, every ingredient matters. We speak to World Class winning bartender, Charles Joly, about the importance of ice.

Other Series

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Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales

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Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week Returns

Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week

Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Week

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