highlightCategory: Drink

Creative cocktails, cool brews and local haunts

UDL’s are back (and better than ever)

Summer has a funny way of resurrecting old friends – thongs from the back of the cupboard, questionable festival hats, and now, gloriously, UDL. Yep, that UDL. After more than 60 years quietly minding its own business in Australia’s drinks canon, the iconic RTD has had a proper glow-up and is officially back for summer, courtesy of new owners Vok Beverages.

This isn’t a dusty reboot or a half-hearted nostalgia grab. Think less “unchanged since 1998” and more “same spirit, better outfit, knows what it’s doing now.” The new UDL arrives with a refreshed, design-forward look, a refined flavour range and a clear focus on modern drinkability (aka, the kind of drinks you actually want to sip in 2026, not just tolerate because they’re cold).

For many millennials, UDL was a rite of passage. Pre-drinks that started at 4pm “by accident,” festival eskies packed to the brim, backyard summers that blurred into one long, sunburnt memory. The relaunch taps straight into that collective muscle memory, but brings it forward with cleaner flavours, sharper branding and a slightly more grown-up energy. You’ve still got the nostalgia, it’s just wearing nicer sunglasses now.

The revived range is rolling out nationally at Dan Murphy’s and other major retailers, with more SKUs dropping across summer. It’s familiar, fun and unapologetically Australian. It’s also proof that some classics don’t need reinventing, just reintroduced at the right moment. And honestly? Summer feels like the perfect time for a reunion.

Never Never’s Panettone Negroni is back

Just when you thought your Christmas drinking calendar couldn’t get any more indulgent, Never Never has gone and done the most festive thing imaginable: brought back its cult-favourite Panettone Negroni. Yes, that one. The Christmas cocktail that tastes like Nonna’s kitchen, looks like a ruby in a rocks glass, and disappears from shelves faster than leftover pavlova.

Inspired by Italy’s iconic holiday dessert, this ready-to-pour beauty is back for the festive season in a new, generous 700mL format because it’s Christmas and we’re not here to count pours. There’s also a shiny limited-edition gift box involved, which means you can rock up to lunch looking wildly organised even if you bought it five minutes earlier (we won’t judge).

Inside the bottle is Never Never’s award-winning Triple Juniper Gin doing the heavy lifting, blended with bitter citrus aperitif, sweet vermouth, aged muscat, orange liqueur, rye distillate and whole vanilla bean. The result is rich, spiced and unapologetically festive, with notes of candied fruit and Christmas cheer dialled all the way up. Smells like Nonna’s house. Tastes like you should’ve worn elasticated pants (rookie mistake).

The serve is delightfully low-effort: keep it in the freezer, pour it cold over one big block of ice, and accept compliments graciously. It pours a deep ruby red, looks excellent in photos, and goes down far too easily for something clocking in at 22% ABV. Yikes.

Available for AU$75 RRP through Dan Murphy’s and Never Never’s online store, the Panettone Negroni gift box is limited… much like your self-control after glass number two. Festive problems, solved.

Bar Herbs opens in Sydney

Sydney’s CBD has gained a new basement-level excuse to accidentally miss your train home: Bar Herbs, MUCHO Group’s latest after-dark playground dedicated to the noble martini. Think late-90s New York energy without the bad shoes and chain-smoking, tucked beneath Clarence Street like a neon-lit secret you suddenly feel strangely protective of.

Bar Herbs’ whole thing is simple – make martinis that taste great, don’t take themselves too seriously, and let people order them exactly the way they want. Dirty? Dry? Somewhere between ‘respectable’ and ‘who hurt you?’ They’ll tweak it to your liking without judgement.

Their signature lineup runs from seaweed-vodka dirty numbers to dill-spiked New York throwbacks, plus a Gibson that’s super herbaceous.

If you’re not on your martini era, the broader menu dips into revamped classics; a yuzu-and-hibiscus Cosmo that’s a little too tasty, a pandan Espresso Martini (finally, something new), and a Negroni built with enough vermouth to make Milan blush.

It’s all overseen by MUCHO’s famously people-first crew, who are on a mission to make Sydney more fun, one excellent drink at a time. And with a daily happy hour slinging AU$13 martinis and AU$7 beers, they clearly mean business.

So yes, paradise might actually be a basement. And it might be called Bar Herbs. Just take the stairs down and let your evening unravel from there.

Tales & Tonics takes over Gin Lane

If your idea of a fun time involves a tarot reading, a touch of witchcraft, and a cocktail with some serious bite, Gin Lane’s gone and brewed your dream night out.

The Kensington Street bar has shapeshifted into Tales & Tonics, an immersive fantasy pop-up inspired by the viral pages of BookTok favourites like A Court of Thorns and Roses, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings.

Forget dusty tomes, here, the storytelling happens in a glass. Each cocktail comes with a side of escapism: ‘The Cauldron’ bubbles with rose-petal tequila and activated charcoal, ‘Spring Court in Bloom’ shimmers like a fae fever dream, and ‘Gandalf’s Pipe’ tastes like a coffee-fuelled prophecy. There’s even Slughorn’s Hourglass, a violet-hued ode to Hogwarts that might just turn you into the life of the (wizarding) party.

But the real twist comes from the Seer’s Table. A resident tarot reader will size up your aura and tell you which mythical world (and drink) you truly belong to (read: she doesn’t need a sorting hat).

Dreamed up by mixology magician Grant Collins, the pop-up runs until late December, inviting mere mortals to ditch reality for a few rounds of fantasy-fuelled drinking. Whether you’re here for the magic, the mischief, or just the booze that sparkles, Gin Lane’s turned Sydney into something spellbinding.

Have a drink at Granddad Jack’s

Visiting Granddad Jack’s Distillery on the Gold Coast feels like stumbling into your mate’s shed…if your mate happened to make world-class gin and design moody, industrial-chic interiors. Family-run and fuelled by the legacy of one very hard-arse New Zealander, this distillery has turned storytelling into an art form (and an excellent excuse for day drinking).

You can just stop by for a tipple, but we recommend the distillery tour for an in-depth look at the makers behind the magic.

The tour kicks off with tales of David “Granddad Jack” Goulding – the 1919-born hustler, barber, and bootlegger-in-spirit whose life inspired every bottle here. You’ll hear how the team transformed his adventures into spirits like the juniper-punchy Two Pencils, the herbaceous Greenhouse Gin, and the fiery 65 Miles, named after the distance Jack once biked to find work.

But beyond the shiny stills and copper pipes, there’s a bar that’s dangerously good at keeping you seated. Their cocktail list is extensive – think inventive G&Ts, espresso martinis laced with their own Barbershop Coffee Liqueur, and limited-release creations that rarely last the month. Tastings are casual, the banter’s local, and the pours are generous (the holy trinity of any great distillery).

And it’s all built around community, from open nights and gin-making classes to regular small-batch drops that keep locals hooked. There’s heart, humour and just the right amount of mischief in every nook and cranny (read: make sure you check out the far right hand corner).

Sure, Granddad Jack’s is where seriously good spirits are made. But it’s also where stories are bottled, legends are toasted, and hangovers are earned honestly.

Bar Leone is the best bar in the world

When Bar Leone in Hong Kong was crowned The World’s Best Bar 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Bars, it wasn’t a surprise so much as a long-overdue moment.

Born in mid-2023 out of the restless mind of Lorenzo Antinori (yes, the Roman-born mixologist who’s been around enough global bars to know what sticks), Bar Leone feels like the neighbourhood spot you’ve been looking for, even if you didn’t know you were looking.

What makes Bar Leone special isn’t just its trophy shelf. Its secret is that it does little things very well. The “cocktail popolari” ethos – cocktails for the people – is no marketing fluff. Classics are treated like old friends, with little playful tweaks (hello, King Kong Negroni) that brighten without overwriting character.

And when you’re feeling a little peckish, the food is completely hunger-destroying. Try the Mortadella sandwich and smoked olives, they’re simple, satisfying, and perfectly paired together.

Then there’s the vibe: warm, unpretentious, dim-enough mood lighting, art on the walls (Roman ephemera, framed football memorabilia, vintage prints), wood panels, and booths that encourage leaning in. Studio TK’s interiors walk that balance between nostalgic and fresh, familiar and quietly surprising.

Of course, awards don’t make a great bar, the people do. Bar Leone seems to understand that. It acts like a place you drop into with friends, a place you linger.

Its ascendancy to the top feels like a reminder: you don’t always need to reinvent the cocktail. Sometimes, you just need the right spirit, the right company, and a good mortadella sandwich.

Lady Bee named world’s most hospitable bar

In the vibrant neighbourhood of Barranco in Lima, Lady Bee is less like a bar and more of an experience (but it’s also still a bar).

Named after classic cocktails like the White Lady and Bee’s Knees, this intimate spot offers a blend of Peruvian flavours and impeccable service that earned it the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award from The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2025.

Founded by the dynamic trio of Alonso Palomino, Gabriela León, and Alejandra León in 2021, Lady Bee is proof you don’t need a mega space or neon signs to make a lasting impression. You just need heart, skill, and the kind of hospitality that makes people fly across the world for (and one that wins awards).

Walking in, you’ll immediately notice it’s cosy, like five tables and four bar seats cosy. But this just ensures a personalised experience for every guest. The attentive staff craft cocktails that tell a story, making each sip a journey into Peru’s diverse landscapes. But it’s also likely that the bartenders know your name, your drink order, and probably your dog’s birthday.

Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, Lady Bee offers a memorable night out that goes beyond the ordinary. So it goes without saying that if you’re in Lima and want cocktails that slap, head to Lady Bee.

Beenleigh launches new drink

Remember those sticky summer days spent slurping down Sunnyboys and chasing the ice cream truck in your thongs? Well, Beenleigh just cracked open a very adult version of that memory, and yes, it’s got booze in it.

Introducing Hard Orange Crush, the newest creation from the legends behind Australia’s oldest registered distillery. It’s fizzy. It’s juicy.

It’s 4.5% ABV. And it’s got real Aussie orange juice doing the heavy lifting. But don’t get it twisted, this isn’t a sugar bomb, it’s a lightly sweet, sherbet-scented citrus refresher with just enough tang to keep things interesting and none of that weird fake aftertaste.

Basically, it’s the love child of your favourite childhood soft drink and your grown-up Friday night. Smooth, sessionable and dangerously crushable, it’s made for beach days, BBQs, pool hangs, or just smashing a cold one on the back deck while pretending to mow the lawn.

With a clean finish, soft carbonation and full-flavoured nostalgia in every sip, Hard Orange Crush is here to make your summer a little sunnier and a whole lot orang-er.

Available now at select Dan Murphy’s and all good independents, it’s the can you didn’t know you needed…until you try one and realise you absolutely do need it.

P.S. It also pairs beautifully with not answering emails. Just saying.

23rd Street Distillery’s award winning whisky

23rd Street Distillery has just taken out major international awards for not one, but two of their whiskies. The Australian Whisky and Single Malt have been awarded Gold and Double Gold respectively at the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition, meaning they’re so good they might just make you weep gently into your Glencairn.

First up is the Australian Whisky, a golden tribute to Riverland’s sun-drenched brilliance and three years of alchemy involving premium barley, yeast, and sheer determination.

Paul Burnett, head distiller at 23rd Street, says, “The stunning climate of the Riverland allows gradual development and ensures an ideal environment for maturation in carefully selected barrels”.

Matured for a minimum of two years in American oak, this spirit is like an Aussie Road trip in a glass: starting with zesty citrus spice, stopping for roasted nuts and raisins, and finishing strong with vanilla-soaked toffee and a subtle nod to dark chocolate.

There’s even a hint of sweet nostalgia thanks to the seasoned Tawny barrels used in the blend. Drink it on ice with scorched almonds and Grana Padano if you’re feeling fancy. Or just sit back, sip, and smile knowingly at the poor souls still drinking bottom-shelf blends.

Now, let’s talk about the second drop, the Single Malt, because this one’s for the whisky purists and oak nerds. Only the crème de la crème (aka the “purest heart’s fractions”) makes it into the bottle, matured lovingly in a mix of American and French oak barriques, first-fill bourbon barrels, ancient Topaque and 25-year-old Galway Tawny casks. It’s rich. It’s rare. And it’s rocking a 46% ABV, just to keep you on your toes.

Paul says, “A few months prior to bottling, we transfer a few of the Whiskies’ bases into newer, shaved barrels to increase the nuances of vanilla and delicate oak structure”.

So that’s why you can expect layers of barley malt, creamy spice, polished oak, and a lingering vanilla hum that’ll make you forget what you did in the morning every time you take a sip.

Bottled without colouring (because it’s already beautiful, thanks), the Single Malt is a bold expression of everything 23rd Street does best: balance and complexity.

To sum it up, there are two whiskies. One distillery (that won Australian Whiskey Distillery of the year at the same awards, might we add). And zero excuses not to pour yourself a dram right now.

The Understudy Ski Lodge

You don’t need snow, skis, or a chalet in the Alps to enjoy an après-ski moment this winter, you just need to find the right door in Melbourne’s CBD.

The Understudy is back, and she’s had a very stylish glow-up. Reborn as The Understudy Ski Lodge, this hidden subterranean cocktail den is now a full-blown alpine fever dream without the altitude sickness.

Slide past the unassuming wood cabin door (yes, there’s a stag knocker) and descend into a world of vintage ski posters, flickering candles, fur throws, and the sweet scent of ‘log cabin’. It’s all the romance of a snowed-in lodge without having to drive to Mt Buller… or go outside.

And the drinks are guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. ’Winter’s Orchard’ arrives steaming, spiked with spiced syrup and pink lady cider, while ‘Chalet Noir’ tastes like bourbon met a hot chocolate and never looked back. And if you’re into Biscoff (who isn’t?), ‘The Midnight Slope’ is basically dessert in a glass.

The food is equally extra: baked camembert, halloumi with a Moroccan twist, sliders with truffle chips, and a fondue that could make you cry real chocolatey tears.

Walk-ins only. No bookings, no pretension, just good times in soft lighting. If you’re looking to escape the cold while leaning dramatically into it, The Understudy Ski Lodge is Melbourne’s answer to your winter daydreams.