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
Wombat Shakerato
The Gospel Solera Rye, apple cider, yuzu, angostura bitters and fresh lime juice
Coffee & Fig Highball
That Spirited Lot Godfather Coffee Vodka, oloroso sherry, fig, citrus & soda water
Army & Navy
Patient Wolf Pink Lake Gin, rhubarb amaro, alpine strawberry and grapefruit cordial
Pine & Vetiver Martini
Holcombe Distilling Spirit Sisters Gin, vetiver, pine resin, alpine bitters, dry vermouth
Midnight Mocha
Infusa Distillery Cappuccino Liqueur, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, spiced orange, chocolate bitters, mochi
Sesame Sippin'
Backwoods Single Malt Whisky, honey, ginger, mirin, lemon juice, spiced bitters, sesame oil
Apple Cart Elixer
Melbourne Moonshine Apple Pie Shine, yellow chartreuse, dry madeira, lemon juice, celery bitters, wonderfoam and grapefruit soda
Purple Dragon
Little Lon Miss Yoko Lychee Gin, dragon fruit, mint & lemongrass cordial and lime
Blackthorn Royale
Recollection Spirits Sour Cherry Nalyvka, Irish whiskey, orange and cherry bitters with sparkling wine
Apple Of My Rye
Kinglake Distillery Breakfast Rye Cask Single Malt, Suze, blanco vermouth and honeyed apple cordial
The Priest & The Beast
High Country Black Sheep Premium Hooch, D.O.M benedictine, pear & brown sugar syrup and Peychauds bitters
Waggle Dance
Mates Gin Distillery Sweet Surrender Gin, Licor 43, yellow chartreuse, honey syrup and lemon
Brooklyn In The Summer
Here’s Looking At You Kid Yam Daisy Gin, coconut & lemongrass syrup, lemon and aloe vera juice
Chief's Son Highball
Chief’s Son FORGE Single Malt Whisky, pineapple cordial, passionfruit liqueur and fig leaf soda
Mornington Distillery Martini
Mornington Peninsula Spirits Send For Kelp Gin, white flower vermouth and purple basil brine
Antipodes Gin Highball
Antipodes Gin Co Organic Gin, apricot liqueur, marigold soda, absinthe
Quiet Corner Distillery Billionaire
Quiet Corner Distillery Absinthe, and bourbon, housemade grenadine, lemon juice and sugar syrup
Dom's Echuca Distillery Diablo
Echuca Distillery Gold Agave Spirit, cassis, raspberry tea syrup and fresh lime juice
Seven Spice Chai Espresso Martini
Hillmartin Distillery Seven Spice Chai Gin, coffee liqueur, cold brew espresso and vanilla sugar syrup
Madame Merri-bek Fruit Cup
Noble Bootleggers Terroso Amaro, Cedar Fox Gin Saison House Vermouth, Marionette Orange Curacao, lemonade, ginger
Road to Le Bar
Three Chain Road Orange Liqueur, dark rum, lemon juice, honey & milk
Caretaker
Still Life Spirits 'Casperrin' Sour Cherry Gin Liqueur, amaro, lemon juice, sherry, sugar syrup
Packham’a’Punch
Schnapps Idea Pear Brandy, Dom Benedictine, lemon juice, orange curacao
Melbourne Martini
Patient Wolf Pink Lake gin, celery infused vermouth, housemade pickle brine, olive mist
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
Turbo Spritz
Rothwell Distillery Yuzucello, prosecco, lime & yuzu soda, salt
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
Madame Merri-bek Fruit Cup
Noble Bootleggers Terroso Amaro, Cedar Fox Gin Saison House Vermouth, Marionette Orange Curacao, lemonade, ginger
Road to Le Bar
Three Chain Road Orange Liqueur, dark rum, lemon juice, honey & milk
Caretaker
Still Life Spirits 'Casperrin' Sour Cherry Gin Liqueur, amaro, lemon juice, sherry, sugar syrup
Packham’a’Punch
Schnapps Idea Pear Brandy, Dom Benedictine, lemon juice, orange curacao
Melbourne Martini
Patient Wolf Pink Lake gin, celery infused vermouth, housemade pickle brine, olive mist