Technically, it’s not drinking alone if the bartender is there!
You know the drill…it’s Friday afternoon and time to relax after a long and stressful work week.
What better way to chill out than with a cocktail at your favourite bar or restaurant. Alternatively, you could take the party home and concoct the perfect drink to usher in the weekend.
Say cheers to our Cocktail of the Week series, where each Friday we will highlight a cheeky creation to tantalise tastebuds and set the tone for good times.
Find Melbourne’s most romantic hidden watering hole at Life’s Too Short back vintage wine bar on Victoria Parade. Tucked away in the old bluestone cellars of the original Victoria Brewery, this petite luxe wine bar specialises in back vintage drops, paired with Australian artisan produce, fine beers, ciders and bespoke cocktails.
Head Chef and Mixologist Sigrid de Castella and Sous Chef Nevra Avdin share their recipe for this enticing Marshmallow Berry-Rose Martini.
"This is completely delicious, never fails to surprise and delight and is unique to our bar,” Sigrid says. "Quite simply it’s the adult liquid version of a Pascall pink marshmallow – aromatic, delicious and with the perfect balance of sweet and zing.”
Sigrid says that due to a medical condition she has a reduced sense of smell, but an amplified palate which is far more sensitive than most Chefs and mixologists.
"For me, taste is key over mixology flair. I am passionate about doing justice to each ingredient by striking the perfect balance between sweet and sour, with a clean purity of flavour.
"It might sound funny, but cocktails should also have good texture and mouth feel. This approach is why our 48-strong cocktail list is considered one of the best (and most delicious) in Melbourne.”
Sigrid says this cocktail concoction came about from the venue’s aim for zero waste; she was trying to work out what to do with the juice run-off from Cointreau-macerated berries used for desserts.
"I also wanted to find a use for a bottle of Hangar 1 Rose Vodka I had been given. While I was crafting the recipe, on my back bar I noticed a bottle of MONIN Toasted Marshmallow and voilà…it all came together.
"The combination of aromatics and flavours took me back to my childhood, toasting pink marshmallows over the fire; although this cocktail is obviously a more updated adult version of that experience!”
