If you love a tasty tipple then mark your calendars. World Class Cocktail Week is returning to Sydney from 7-13 May. This year will see over forty events hosted in Sydney, including masterclasses, tastings and tutorials by some of Australia’s best bartenders and chefs.
It might be daunting to some but for all those cocktail lovers out there, we’ve selected our favourite happenings that you cannot miss! Clear your schedules and grab a plus one — these are the must-do events.
The Carrington – World Class Cocktail Week
Espress Yourself – The Carrington (Sat 13th May)
What is a cocktail week in Sydney without the classic Espresso Martini? This event in Surry Hills will be showcasing and serving creative variations alongside the classic version. You are sure to be buzzing all night with delicious creations including the Gingerbread Espresso. One word: delicious.
Whisky and Gelato – The Wild Rover (Mon 8th May)
Who would have thought to pair whisky and gelato? Only the geniuses over in the Wild Rover! The delicious Mr Goaty Gelato is pairing up with none other than the National Whisky Ambassador Simon McGoram himself. They’re hosting a tasting of their artisan gelato paired and created with exquisite Scotch whisky. Yes, that is whisky-infused gelato, people. The tasting will feature a range of Scotch whiskies in the form of gelato. It will surely be your new favourite way to have a Scotch.
Bondi Roaming Dinner – Neighbourhood Bondi (Tues 9th May)
A pubcrawl of a more sophisticated kind, if you will. Forget trying to decide where to eat out and simply sample a neighbourhood of establishments! Join three of Bondi’s most beloved food destinations, China Diner, Neighbourhood Bondi and Milky Lane for a roaming three-course feast with matched cocktails! If you’re afraid of what state your heels will be in by the end of the night, fear not, all venues are within a block of each other.
The Rook, Photography: Mitch Lui
Juniper Society – The Rook (Mon 8th May)
For all the G&T lovers, this event is for you! Enjoy three distinctly different botanically-inspired Tanqueray gin and Tanqueray No. Ten cocktails at the Rook for one night only. The Rook team have designed cocktails to perfectly enhance the flavours, look and aroma of this classic spirit. Plus, each will be paired with expertly-selected canapes to perfectly complement the flavours. While you sit back and enjoy the cocktails, industry experts will discuss the history, production, and tasting notes of gin to explain what makes this spirit such an enduring and everlasting favourite.
Our World Class Cocktail Competition – Tokyo Bird (Sun 7th – Sat 13th May)
Are you tempted to try the competitors in the World Class Cocktail Competition? We know we are, especially as they come with their own perfectly paired snack. Tokyo Bird and Osaka Trading Co. go head to head this week with their delicious and unique creations. Tokyo Bird will offer Ume in the Skye, featuring buttered popcorn and fat-washed Talisker whisky served with sugar-plum popcorn. Osaka Trading Co. will serve Beets by Don, featuring Don Julio Blanco tequila and a house-made beetroot and berry shrub served with a candied beetroot chip, goat’s cheese and berry coulis. Not enough? Finish off a mouth-watering evening with Ron Zacapa 23 rum cocktail with a caramel apple.
Mind Tasting – This Must Be The Place (Mon 8th May)
The aptly-named and award-winning bar, This Must Be the Place, is providing punters with a glimpse into the creative minds of their World Class bartenders with this one-off event. Sit back and enjoy as the bartenders make their creative concepts impulsively come to life on the night. The unique cocktails will be paired with snacks and the menu will be impulsive and informal, with the team creating the contents from whatever ingredients that’s taking their fancy at the time. This is certainly an event not to be missed.
Black Pearl x Bulletin Place. Photography: Jiwon Kim.
The Rise of the Wine Cocktail – Bouche on Bridge (Mon 8th May)
Bouche on Bridge are hosting a few events this week, but this one caught our eye in particular. Wine cocktails are more than jugs of Sangria on a hot summer’s day. Hooked? I know I am. Come learn more about the increasingly popular spritz cocktail and how to make your own at home from the team at the underground bar at the very stylish CBD eatery, Bouche on Bridge. Become an expert is pairing your wine, spirits and favourite dishes to create a unique and tailored evening. You will be the hostess with the mostest!
Margarita and Taco Masterclass – Barrio Cellar (Sun 7th – Sat 13th May)
Is there anything better than a delicious taco and zingy margarita? How about learning to create your own so you can host the best fiestas of your life?! Impress your future party attendees with your mastery of taco creation and presentation and on point Margaritas. Learn how to make three Margaritas and learn the history of this quintessential cocktail. The chef will also pair three complimentary tacos and demonstrate how to cook them yourself. This event is bound to be a popular one (who doesn’t love tacos?) and there are only 10 spots per class, so check it out before it’s booked out!
Black Pearl X Bulletin Place – Bulletin Place (Sun 7th – Mon 8th May)
Two of Australia’s greatest World Class bars are swapping teams and venues for two nights only. Melbourne’s Black Pearl will move into Bulletin Place to showcase their cocktails from its newly released menu. The event celebrates the close bond between the two bars – Bulletin Place’s founders, Adi Ruiz, Tim Phillips and Robb Sloan. They became friends while working at Black Pearl and have retained that sense of comradery in their staff. Let’s give the Melbourne team a hearty Sydney welcome, by drinking all their tasty tipples.
Mind Tasting. Photography: Kai Leishman.
So that’s our top events on during the week. Of course, this is just a sampling of the forty events happening over the course of the week, culminating on World Cocktail Day. There are tastings happening all over: in the Inner West, Inner East, CBD, and more. Let us know your favourite events.
See you there!
– Orlaith
F&B Specialist. Usually seen with a flat white in hand or on her way to a craft beer. Needs to stop buying books and start reading them.
World Class Cocktail Week runs from May 7–13 2017 in Sydney. Purchase tickets now.
Check with venues to see if they are accessible.
