Serves of the state
Find your spirit — back your favourite
Serves of the State is about finding drinks that embody the unique distilling and cocktail culture of Victoria. It pairs some of the state’s most talented distillers with leading bars to create bespoke cocktail menus. For three weeks this winter, venues shook, stirred, and served three uniquely Victorian cocktails each — showcasing the creativity, flavour and craft behind locally distilled spirits.
Images by Amy Hemmings.
Winner
Callipo Sour
Island Spirits Amore Limoncello, yuzu liqueur, lemon and sugar
The votes are in, the winner of the Serves of the State is the Callipo Sour featuring Island Spirits' Amore Limoncello, created by Backspace. The winning serve captured the hearts (and tastebuds) of drinkers across the two-week celebration of Victoria's thriving spirits scene. A perfect example of what happens when great local spirits meet inspired bartending. The Callipo Sour is available at Backspace until 15th July - don't miss your chance to try this winning serve!
Honourable Mentions
The Third Date
Tano Spirits Jagari Shochu Black Koji, yuzushu, triple sec, hot honey, lemon, mint
Laneway Confidential
Grada 01 Specialty Coffee Liqueur Grainery Lane Aged Rum, vanilla syrup, espresso and cream float
Elderfashioned
Grainery Lane Elderflower Gin & London Dry Gin elderflower liqueur and orange bitters
Archive
Crowded House
Gindu Australian Dry Gin, Stachehouse mulberry liqueur, yoghurt foam
Makrut Lime Gimlet
Bellarine Distillery Old Dodger Gin, makrut lime cordial, fresh Tahitian lime juice
On Time
Kinglake 'Bourbon Cask' single malt whisky, Cynar, lemon, whole mandarin
Blonde Revolver
Sesame oil fat washed Dutch Rules Thai Gin, housemade macerated watermelon syrup, lime juice, Shio Koji
Queenie
Basil infused Brogan’s Way Evening Light Gin, housemade strawberry & rhubarb syrup, lime juice
Autopilot
Saint Felix Bitter Citrus Aperitivo, Starward ‘Nova’ Whisky, lemon juice, Autonomy Native Amaro, tangelo oleo saccharum
Grain of Truth
MORRIS of Rutherglen Australian Single Malt Whisky, Suze, dry vermouth
Orange You Glad
Lake Meran Sunset Aperitivo, prosecco syrup, soda
Peace & Glory
EVOO-washed Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Maidenii Dry Vermouth, filtered rainwater
Perfect Serve
Darling Distillery Gin, lime, mint syrup, cacao blanc liqueur
Corsair
Hunter’s Spiced Rum, passionfruit purée, orgeat, coconut-water syrup, lime juice, pedro ximénez, Bittermen’s Elemakule Tiki Bitters
Kaméni elia
In Good Spirits Single Malt Butterscotch whisky, Metaxa, burnt lemon juice, honey syrup, olive oil, saline, wonderfoam
Sultana & Grain
36 SOUTH Double Grain Whisky, Pennyweight Fortified Riesling, spiced sultana syrup, aromatic bitters, cardamom bitters
Smokey Mastini
Baxter Vodka, dry vermouth, mastiha liquor, Retsina Kechribari
Dill-icious Cocktail
Nagambie 3608 Distillery Bartenders Cut Gin, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, lime oleo, fresh dill
The Noble Apple
Bass & Flinders Noble Stranger Brandy, Trattore apple cider reduction, cider caramel, vanilla syrup, faux lemon juice
The Pomelo
Maidenii Dry Vermouth, tequila, mezcal, agave, celery bitters, lime juice and Capi grapefruit soda
Jimmy's Tiramisu
JimmyRum Silver infused with coffee beans, espresso, White Possum Hazelnut, White Possum Dark Cacao, wonderfoam
Aphrodite
White Possum Lychee liqueur, Tsipouro no aniseed, lime juice, rose water, sparkling rose
The Avenue Gold Rush
Imbue Distillery Angels Share Maize Whisky, lemon, honey from The Avenue
Flor de Fresa
Big Tree Distillery Elderflower Liqueur, pisco, strawberry syrup, verjus, lime juice, prosecco
Dirty Gemini Negroni
Cedar Fox Oak Gin, Saison house vermouth, Maidenii Roselle Naturi Dirty dry vermouth, olive bitters
Guilty Pleasure
Sundays Distilling Limoncello, Capi Grapefruit Soda
Gianduja Sour
Rocky Jones Salted Caramel Gin, hazlenut liqueur, lime juice, cinnamon syrup, aquafaba, chocolate bitters
Whisky Daisy
Bakery Hill Blended Whisky, passionfruit liqueur, apricot brandy, lemon, Oolong tea syrup
Dutch Hunter
Swiftcrest Distillery Dutch Apple Pie Moonshine, agave, lemon, Fin Wines Pet-Nat, Laphroaig Rinse
Beez In The Trap
Naught Sangiovese Gin, lime x lemon, honey strawberry syrup, lemonade
Cockatoo's Corner
Anther Australian Dry Gin, Meridith Valley Olive Oil syrup, lime juice
Tryst On A Sundae
Antagonist Sunbaked Sundae Australian Spiced, citric x tartaric acids, Vietnamese mint syrup, date water
Myrtle Bloom
Marionette Elderflower Liqueur, Regal Rogue Lively White vermouth, verjuice, yuzu bitters
Beachcomber
Noodledoof Koroit Gin, amber vermouth, soda
Inn Keeper
Nuvé Vodka, dry vermouth, dill Sous Vide infusion overnight
Backyard Summer
Semi-frozen Kilderkin Backyard Limoncello Gin Liqueur, housemade apple & sage shrub, yogurt sake, layered frozen tart yogurt
Black & Gold
Beechworth Bitters Black Forest Amaro, Three Foxes Espresso Amaro, Marionette Mure, chocolate bitters
Pastito
Molly Rose 'Véraison' pastis, Husk agricole rum, pear, mint, lime
Contrarian
Itinerant Spirits 'Vansetter' vodka, Maidenii dry vermouth, framboise, grapefruit oil
Crowded House
Gindu Australian Dry Gin, Stachehouse mulberry liqueur, yoghurt foam
Makrut Lime Gimlet
Bellarine Distillery Old Dodger Gin, makrut lime cordial, fresh Tahitian lime juice
On Time
Kinglake 'Bourbon Cask' single malt whisky, Cynar, lemon, whole mandarin