It's green, spicy and will give you a Christmas kick.
It's green, spicy and will give you a Christmas kick.
The Grinch is a fictional character created by Dr. Seuss. He is best known as the main character of the 1957 children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Grinch is depicted as a green, pot-bellied, furry, pear-shaped, snub-nosed creature with a cat-like face and cynical personality.
The Grinch cocktail is Cauldron Distillery’s take on a bit of Christmas fun; it’s green, spicy and will give you a Christmas kick.
Ingredients
Method
1. In the bottom of a cocktail shaker (or using a blender), muddle the cucumber slices until liquid
2. Half-fill the shaker with ice and add the rest of the ingredients.
3. Place the top on the cocktail shaker and shake well until well combined.
4. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a candy cane hanging over the side of the glass.
Recipe provided by Cauldron Distillery.
Distilleries of any sort hold a special place in our hearts, but none more so than the ever-popular gin variety. And speaking of variety, the award-winner we’re about to unpack has a show-stopping selection of gins guaranteed to please, irrespective of your persuasion. If you’re into sweet summery flavours, you’re sorted. If you’re more of a savoury gal or guy, come right this way. But it’s not just the refreshments worthy of a nod here. In fact, what’s not nod-worthy about this place?! Because frankly, every element deserves a shiny gold star (or five, according to Google Reviews).
We know you’re intrigued and wishing we’d get to the point already so without further ado, we present….Cauldron Distillery on picturesque Tamborine Mountain.
This 18-acre working distillery is the darling of the Scenic Rim, cooked up by three savvy spirit-loving blokes, Darren Stewart, Greg Dower, and Glen Stewart. Featuring an established vineyard, lush rolling green meadows you’ll want to, well, roll in when you’re 4 (or 6) gins deep, and even the Al Capone ORIGINAL Parlour Dining Room and Chairs (yep, now that’s gangster, do we hear along the literal grapevine there’s a speakeasy bar to come?) – what’s not to love about this little slice of heaven?
Overall, Cauldron boasts a Prohibition-style space with of course, a generous gin and cocktail bar, and we are officially impressed. It’s not all just about gin and unique Queensland-inspired craft beverages though, with Head Chef Chris Woodberry serving up mouth-watering Modern Australian tapas with native ingredients. His signature dish Five To Five Coastal Gin Infused Salmon proves that when it comes to gin, more is more.
When paired with the award-winning gins on a Gin Tasting Paddle with Sunset Gin, Mountain Gin, Costal Gin and True Blue Gin, you become acutely aware why this place and its stock is a hit with critics, locals and everyone in between.
This place really does offer it all though. You can book a distillery tour, a gin and salsa night, pottery workshop, or even sign up for Sip N Paint class with local artist Erin Geeves. Looking to take your interactive class to the next level? Take a gin-making class and whip up your very own brew on a 1955 classic Jaguar table (cool much?!).
Or, keep it simple with a BYO picnic rug amongst the vineyards, partaking in complimentary lawn games if you so desire. And the garnish on the gin cocktail – you can even BYO pooch!
With indoor and outdoor dining capacity for 200 people, a 4×6 metre stage for live entertainment and spectacular Instagramable photo backdrops at every turn, its perf for your upcoming event or nuptials. But seriously, you had us when they mentioned you can design your own cocktail and OMG, is there actually anything better in the history of history? Well maybe, because we also hear there’s a make your own Bloody Mary cocktail bar to come too! Bring on the bacon.
If you know you know. And if you didn’t, now you do. Bottoms up!
Where: Cauldron Distillery, 89-123 Hartley Rd, Tamborine Mountain
When: 12pm – 5pm Wednesday & Thursday; 10am – 7pm Friday & Saturday and 10am – 5pm Sunday. Closed Monday & Tuesday.
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Who loves a dirty martini? Ummm, we do! And we love any excuse to drink one… enter: International Gin Day. June 14 is basically our second birthday – okay, technically it’s gin’s, but we’re claiming it.
Luckily for us, the Gold Coast is shaking (and stirring) things up with a bunch of bars serving epic gin creations using top-shelf local spirits.
So in honour of the juniper juice we all know and love, here are the best spots to get your gin fix this Gin Day – or, let’s be honest, any day ending in “y”.
Happy sipping, gin lovers.
Bringing a splash of Polish tradition to the Gold Coast, Panezski Artisan Distillery is a family-run gem crafting premium small-batch vodka and gin with heart, heritage and a whole lot of flavour. While vodka might traditionally be a northern hemisphere affair, Panezski is proving that Aussie soil can produce spirits with just as much soul. From their meticulous distilling process to their beautiful bottling, it’s clear this crew doesn’t cut corners. Drop in for a taste of Europe, GC-style.
Our pick: Northside Rickey – Panezski Gin, lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves and dry ginger ale. Cool, crisp and straight-up refreshing.
Where: Unit 2/2 Sierra Place, Upper Coomera
Tucked away in an industrial shed near Harbour Town, this gin haven is serving up serious style (think festoon lights, a swoon-worthy pink vee-jay counter, and shiny copper stills that deserve their own Instagram account). Their gin spirits are stellar, and they taste even sweeter in the form of their cocktails.
Our pick: The Mango Weis Bar cocktail with mango gin, mango nectar, lemon juice, vanilla sugar and aquafaba does it for us!
Where: 211 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters
If there’s one place that knows its way around a gin cocktail, it’s the OG of Gold Coast distilling – Granddad Jack’s. They’ve seriously upped the ante with their bold new cocktail menu inspired by the Seven Man-Made Wonders of the World. Each drink is a flavour-packed tribute to an architectural icon – think a dry martini-style nod to the Great Wall of China with bold mandarin and umami notes, or a silky, spiced number inspired by the Taj Mahal. There’s even a foamy, tart twist on Chicha Morada repping Machu Picchu. Honestly, it’s a round-the-world trip without leaving Miami (and without needing a passport – bonus!).
Our pick: The Seymour Street, made with their house Greenhouse Gin, fresh lime juice and a dash of eucalyptus. It’s like sipping on an Aussie summer in a glass.
Where: 45 Lemana Lane, Miami
Far more than your standard distillery, Familiar Spirits focuses on crafting tailor-made spirits for cocktails, ensuring each drink is as smooth as a well-aged whiskey. Now we’re talking! Their signature cocktail menu rotates with the seasons, so there’s always something new to try.
Our pick: The Not So Familiar Negroni, with Macadamia Fat Washed Pudding Gin, Lemon Myrtle Campari and Rosso Vermouth is calling our name.
Where: 1/9 Calabro Way, Burleigh Heads
Meet the small-batch distillery that packs a big punch! Found on Scottsdale Drive in Varsity Lakes, Wildflower Distillery crafts exceptional and award-winning gin that can be deemed as ‘Burleigh in a bottle’. Crafted with locally grown botanicals, including cardamom, lemon myrtle and coriander, plus a little drop of honey from the owner’s very own Burleigh backyard, you can now understand why. It’s a very easy drinking drop, a little bit floral and paired perfectly with either tonic, solo over ice (tried and tested) or in their famous ‘Basil Fawlty’ cocktail- delish!
Our pick: The Basil Fawlty cocktail is worth the trip alone
Where: 2/486 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes
If you’re chasing sleek, sophisticated and seriously sippable, Burly Gin in Currumbin is your go-to. This dreamy gin bar is packed with artisan bottles so pretty, you’ll be turning them into vases when they’re empty (because why not have flowers and gin on display?). The team behind Burly serves up their entire gin range in a lineup of dazzling cocktails, each one more Insta-worthy than the last. The space itself is chic, the vibes are chilled, and the drinks? Let’s just say you’ll want to try the entire menu twice.
Our pick: Italiano Spritz – Citrus Burly Gin, Sanbitter, Grapefruit, Rosemary Shrub & Prosecco. Bellissimo!
Where: 60 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin
Bringing a taste of Italy with a distinctly Aussie twist, Loborn Distillery is shaking (and stirring) up Tamborine Mountain’s sip scene in the most delicious way. Tucked among the leafy charm of Main Street, this boutique distillery is the perfect pit stop for a tasting or a cheeky cocktail session. Whether you’re vibing an Aperol Spritz in the sunshine or settling in for something stronger, Loborn delivers the goods with style, flavour, and plenty of mountain magic.
Our pick: The Classic G&T – Loborn Original Gin, Indian tonic water and an orange twist. Simple. Timeless. Perfect.
Where: Shop 4, 46-48 Main Street, Mt Tamborine
Home of the iconic colour-changing Ink Gin, Husk Farm Distillery is the ultimate gin-lover’s day trip destination. Set on a stunning working farm in North Tumbulgum, this spot is part cellar door, part bar, part café – and 100% worth the drive. While they’re also the brains behind Husk Virgin Cane Rum and Spiced Bam Bam, today we’re here for the gin (obviously). Expect garden-fresh vibes, paddock-to-glass pours, and cocktails that are as pretty as they are delicious.
Our pick: Ink Sloe Fizz – Ink Sloe & Berry Gin, lemon, soda. Light, bright, and berry delicious.
Where: Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
World Cocktail Day exists for a reason my friends, and this year it’s on Friday the 13th of May – so get around it by delving into this epic rum recipe from Cut Rum that’s as smooth as a butter and as smokey as your last camping trip. Whether you’re a rum drinker or not, this little number is sure to satisfy.
RECIPE COURTESY OF CUT RUM.
Drink responsibly. 18+ only.
