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
Callipo Sour
Island Spirits Amore Limoncello, yuzu liqueur, lemon and sugar
Turbo Spritz
Rothwell Distillery Yuzucello, prosecco, lime & yuzu soda, salt
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
The Third Date
Tano Spirits Jagari Shochu Black Koji, yuzushu, triple sec, hot honey, lemon, mint
Chief's Daughter
Chief’s Son Distillery Forge Whisky, lime juice, Collins citrus, grapefruit oleo, White Possum Maraschino, wonderfoam
Silver Surfer
Great Ocean Road Guvvos Contemporary Dry Gin, lemon sorbet, creme de peche, peach aperitif, lemon
Desert Pines
Backwoods Rye Whisky Shiraz Barrels, Brookies Sundrift aperitivo, lemon juice, quandong seed syrup, ginger beer, strawberry
East 87 Hold Up
FELLOW Vanilla & Cream Vodka, aperol, lime, pineapple, passionfruit
The Pinny Martini
Melbourne Gin Co. Single Shot Gin, dry vermouth, sherry and dry orange liqueur
Passionfruit & Lemon Myrtle Gimlet
Teddy And The Fox Bellarine Gin, lime, passionfruit and lemon myrtle syrup
Go Figure
Saintlier Distillery Burnt Fig Gin, aperitivo, fernet branca and orange bitters
All-Father
In Good Spirits Butterscotch Whisky, bourbon, dry vermouth, amaretto, Angostura Bitters
Interspectacular
Macedon Distillery Mastiha, vermouth, lemon juice, blackberry & kuzea syrup, infused mascarpone cream
Fantabulous
Daylesford Spirit Blueberry Gin, advocaat, Illawarra plum & lemon myrtle syrup, lemon, lemonade
Instupituous
Penni Ave 16th Beach Sea Celery & Saltbush Vodka, aperitif, lime, watermelon & pineapple sage cordial, orange bitters
Box Cutter Spritz
JimmyRum Navy, elderflower liqueur, sherry, apple cordial, verjus and soda
Strawberry Valentino
Bellicose Pink Gin, sherry, riesling and strawberry oleo
Chambray
Bass & Flinders Noble Stranger Australian Brandy, cinnamon, lemon and strawberry
Beach Goth
Starward Two Fold, amaro, banana liqueur, lemon, pineapple, creme de cacao blanc
The Blind Tiger
Pietro Gallus Estate Liquore all’Arancia Grainery Lane Dry Gin, creme de cacao liqueur, white vermouth and orange zest
Bush Point
Bancroft Bay Mosquito Point Blanco Agave Spirit, verjus, agave syrup and bush salt & pepper blend and lime
Golden wattle
Apollo Bay Distillery Ocean Gin, orange, honey, wattle seed infusion and vanilla
Blushing Duck
Bathtub Angry Duck Gin, Lillet Rosé, lemon, triple sec, grapefruit and rosella
Ichigo Shiso Bramble
Envy Navy Strength Gin, strawberry kabosju oleo, yuzu lime soda, sake filled ice, Envy Distilling Shiraz gin float
Luna City Pop Highball
Puss & Mew Navy Strength Gin, lychee & roselle tea, grapefruit soda
Dragon Hime Gimlet
Herbit Blue Dragon Gin, monk fruit & jasmine tea oleo, house fermented lemon
None Of Your Beeswax
Shaws Distillery Red Wheat Vodka, yuzushu, sherry, beeswax
The Last Slice
Molly Rose Brewing Cacao Husk Pastis, scotch whisky, miso paste, banana, raspberry, milk punch
The Pinny Spritz
Boatrocker Citrus Aperitivo Liqueur, white chocolate washed whiskey, prosecco and soda
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