As the weather starts to cool, we move away from rooftop bars, and beer gardens to quiet cocktail bars, and warming restaurants. Our tastes change too – you’re looking for that something to keep warm through the night, and spice is all the more fun.
What better way to enjoy the warmer flavours than by drinking them? If you’re looking for a warming cocktail look no further than our Winter Cocktail Guide. And since it’s World Cocktail Day today there’s no better excuse to try one or two.
Circa, The Prince
Circa, the fine dining venue tucked into the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda has a beautiful air of elegance about it. Whether you enjoy a drink and a bite to eat in the bar, or go for a full dinner in the restaurant, you’ll be looked after. Try the Port Melbourne, 3207, a mix of Tawny port, dry vermouth, lemon juice, chocolate bitters, sugar, and cherry liqueur.
Circa
2 Acland Street, St Kilda, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9536-1122
Los Barbudos
Heading northside for this one, the Cuban inspired venue is known for their affinity with rum and food trucks. Go for the Tom’s Hot Apple Strudel, a warming combination of Sailor Jerry’s spiced rum, apple juice, soy milk, maple syrup, and a dash of cinnamon. This nods to a European style of dessert and is no doubt sweet and comforting on those cooler nights.
Los Barbudos
95 Smith Street, Fitzroy 3065, (03) 9416 0079
Meatball & Wine Bar
Meatball & Wine Bar is always a solid choice – any of the three locations, especially during winter. What more could you want than hot meatballs served on mashed potato when it’s raining outside? Well, you might want some Hot Buttered Rum, and they can give it to you. They can also give you a Chocolate Stout Flit, a mix of chocolate hops, illys coffee liqueur, Orgeat, Mt Gay Eclipse, and a whole egg, garnished with muddled chocolate cookie. It’s like dessert in a glass.
Meatball & Wine Bar
Various locations
Newmarket Hotel
The California come Mexican inspired venue in St Kilda has a chilled vibe and a killer menu. They also know how to make a cocktail or two. For something with a little spice go for the Too Hot To Handle, a combination of Belvedere vodka, passion fruit liqueur, jalapeño, lemon zest and passion fruit pulp.
Newmarket Hotel
34 Inkerman Street, St Kilda, (03) 9537 1777
DuNord
DuNord know a thing or two about the cold weather. Taking their inspiration from Scandinavia, they probably laugh at our coldest days. They’re making us a Smoked Jack Daniels Old Fashioned to help us through the cooler nights. It’s a combination of pine smoked Jack Daniels, maple syrup, Angostura bitters, and Fee Brothers orange bitters, garnished with a twist of orange peel.
DuNord
367 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9642 0052
1806
1806 is the perfect venue for the cooler months. Intimate, small, and with couches that make it hard to leave. They are serving up the Lord Ruthvens Gossip Cup, a warming mix of dark ale beer, cognac, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, fresh ginger, and lemon peel. Served warm. Divine.
1806
169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9663 7722
Double Happiness
Another venue that knows a thing or two about cocktails, this CBD night spot is all about dark corners and serous tipples. Try the Northern Expedition a mix of dark rum, black walnut bitters, Pedro Ximenez sherry, and cinnamon smoke. It’s designed to be sipped with a cigar and a slab of 90% dark chocolate. Sign. Us. Up.
Double Happiness
21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9650 4488
Eau de Vie
This list would be incomplete without a blazer, and we are looking to Eau de Vie for their assistance on this one. Another dark, warm, intimate speakeasy style venue, it’s the perfect location for a warming nightcap. Try the Ron Zacapa Blazer – a rich warm digestive style of drink, which is like any other blazer, set alight as it’s made. This is a decadent mix of Ron Zacapa Rum, walnut liqueur, banana glaze, and porter reduction.
Eau de Vie
1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne 3000, 0412 825 441
