Melbourne rallies around Victoria’s spirits with new cocktail celebration

Introducing Serves of the State: two weeks, 15 venues, 45 cocktails - game, set, match!

It’s game on for great drinks as Victoria kicks off 2026 with Serves of the State, a two-week celebration of cocktails across Melbourne and regional Victoria designed to champion the local distilling scene. From Sunday 18 January to Sunday 1 February, 15 venues will feature a dedicated menu showcasing three bespoke cocktails from three different Victorian distillers.

The initiative is part of the recently launched Vic Distilled, created by industry body Spirits VictoriaAssociation to shine a spotlight on Victorian spirits and distilleries for locals, Australians, and international visitors alike - because everyone can Find Their Spirit in Victoria.

With 45 of Victoria’s leading distilleries taking the spotlight, drinkers will see why the state has become the country’s most exciting spirits playground and get a taste of the passion and ingenuity driving its makers.

“From innovative gins and new-world whiskies to local amaros and absinthe, the breadth of Victorian craft is as impressive as the delicious creations they’ll be shaken, stirred and built into,” Seb Costello, Spirits Vic Association.

Melbourne leads the charge with an impressive line-up of venues, including Cumulus Inc., Black Kite Commune, Gemini, Farmer’s Daughters, Gin Palace, Blackbird, Hotel Railway Brunswick, The Lincoln, Tzaki, Bar Ampere, Le Bar Supper Club, and Bar Clara. Regional Victoria is well represented too, with Daisy in Geelong, Renard in Ballarat and the acclaimed Brae in Birregurra joining the celebration.

Over the two weeks, visitors are encouraged to try something new and vote for their favourite creation, culminating in a people’s choice winner for Victoria’s first-ever Cocktail Serve of the State.

More details will be released in January, including the list of cocktail creations. Keep an eye out on Instagram @vicdistilled for more information.