Good Food Month - Tanqueray Bar Hop
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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Tanqueray Gin and Good Food Month Melbourne.
As part of Good Food Month Melbourne, Tanqueray are hosting a series of events which runs throughout November.
One of the events is the Tanqueray Bar Hop. Gastrology was privileged to participate in this event as one of the ‘Tanqueray Influencers’ where we bar hopped to a selection of participating bars represented in the Good Food Month guide. At each bar we were offered the special Tanqueray cocktail & tapas specific to that bar, which will be on offer throughout the month for $20. For a full list of the bars please click here.
To make sure our Bar Hop ran smoothly, UBER offered to chauffeur us around between venues. All we had to do was request a car via the Uber app on our mobile phones, enter our code and the driver would take us to our destinations.
First stop - Atrium Bar on 35, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Location: Level 35, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Situated beneath a canopy of fifteen mirrored floors, the Atrium Bar possesses a calming ambience. A wonderful space in which to sip on champagne, signature cocktails, beers or wine over light meals
Cocktail: Pink Gin Sour: Tanqueray gin, pomegranate, Aperol, grapefruit juice, egg white
Our first cocktail of the evening was the Pink Gin Sour cocktail which was made from Tanqueray gin, pomegranate, Aperol, grapefruit juice and egg white. A delicious fruity cocktail with plenty of character, it was an enlivening start to our bar hop.
Matching course: Asian Inspired Appetiser
The matching plate of delectable rice paper rolls were a lovely match. Adorned with bright orange roe, it was an explosion of flavours.
Second stop - New Gold Mountain
Location: Levels 1&2, 21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne 3000
In classic Melbourne style, New Gold Mountain is hidden down a laneway and bustling behind a concealed door. Beyond this seemingly innocuous and normal looking exterior lies a slice of Old-world Shanghai, a glamorous yet debaucherous space reminiscent of an opium bar from a time long forgotten.
Cocktail: Tottenham Court Tipple: Tanqueray gin, dry Curacao, lemon and orgeat
We loved the Tottenham Court Tipple cocktail which was made from Tanqueray gin, dry Curacao, lemon and orgeat. The passion for quality, consistency and presentation was evident with this delicious cocktail. The cocktail was sophisticated and mature and matches the Creamy Lime and coconut crème brulee perfectly.
Matching course: Creamy Lime and coconut crème brulee by Voodoo Jerk Truck
The crème brulee in turn accentuates the distinctive flavours of the cocktail.
Third stop - The Kodiak Club
Location: 272 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 3065
Embodying America's bar culture, the Kodiak Club serves modern, regional American bar food alongside American whiskeys, Boutique beers and classic Cocktails in a welcoming environment.
Cocktail: Snapping Caesar: Tanqueray gin, clamato, lemon juice, American hot sauce, secret herbs and spices
Wonderfully different, the Snapping Caeser is the Kodiak Club’s take on the Classic Bloody Mary. The flavours are light, bright and clean with a slight kick from the American hot sauce.
Matching course: Three Buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce and celery
The mouth-watering crispy fried chicken wings were absolutely stunning and the perfect match for the Snapping Caeser cocktail - both having the same American hot sauce as part of their make-up. The outstanding chicken wings were nicely caramelised and crispy and were flavoured well.
Fourth stop - Los Barbudos
Location: 95 Smith Street Fitzroy 3065
Located on Smith Street, just below Mr Wow’s Emporium, Los Barbudos takes you back to the golden age of Cuba where you will find yourself surrounded by the essence of this vibrant Caribbean island.
With a focus on authenticity, the cocktail list features Cuban classics such as Mojitos, Daiquiris and El Presidentes, made to follow the traditional recipes found in Cuba. The menu also features a few house favourites to entice even the most capricious drinker.
Cocktail: An Ode to Mojo: Tanqueray gin, strawberry shrub syrup, mint, citrus bitters, lime and black pepper
The An Ode to Mojo cocktail was a delicious heady mix of Tanqueray gin, strawberry shrub syrup, mint, citrus bitters, lime and black pepper - a delightfully well-balanced drink with a peppery hit at the end, it was a winner.
Matching course: Roast pork, Swiss cheese, ham, pickle and mustard toasted sandwich
An extravagant toasted ham and cheese sandwich containing luscious roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickle, mustard and slices of ham which add a nice touch of saltiness to the creamy cheese fusion. The sandwich was the perfect supper treat.
Fifth stop - The Tippler & Co
Location: 58 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne 3002
Occupying the former site of Cafe Balzac and next to Yarra Park, The Tippler & Co is an inviting bar and eatery with a great drinks menu which includes craft beers on tap and a selection of wines, ciders, spirits and cocktails served by warm staff.
The venue serves European/Asian-influenced dishes that come in several forms (from snack size dishes to more substantial meals) that are perfect for sharing.
SPECIAL: Cocktail: Good Morning Vietnam: Chilli-infused Tanqueray gin, Cointreau, lime juice, lemongrass sugar syrup, muddled Vietnamese mint
Our favourite cocktail for the evening, the Good Morning Vietnam cocktail had the perfect balance between sweet and savoury. We loved the slight acidity from the lime juice which cut through the sweetness of the lemongrass sugar syrup and the overlay of fragrant Vietnamese mint. It was a delicious and refreshing cocktail.
Matching course: Prawn Ricepaper Roll
The matching prawn ricepaper roll was a simple dish executed perfectly.
Whether thirst-quenching, palate-cleansing or taste-teasing, a good cocktail is a thing of beauty. Melbourne’s star mixologists shake it up in style for Good Food month. $20 gets you a Tanqueray gin-inspired cocktail and matched bar snack at dozens of leading Melbourne bars.
What: Good Food Month - Tanqueray Bar Hop
Where: Various locations
When: Throughout November
