Merivale will be shaking things up with a series of cool cocktail events to honour this year’s World Cocktail Week ( May 10-15) and the 204th anniversary of the cocktail. In additional to a celebration of World Cocktail Day on Thursday 13 May, Merivale will be offering Sydney’s die-hard cocktail fans the chance to learn how to make a mean mix at one of several cocktail classes, ride the popular cocktail express around select Merivale venues for an evening or simply indulge in one of the signature cocktails that will be specially created in seven Merivale bars.
In short, Merivale is bringing the celebration of our beloved cocktail to the consumer – as it should be! The joy of mixology doesn’t need to belong just to bartenders and Merivale’s week of fun cocktail imbibing and classes is shaping up to be fantastic way to spread some cocktail cheer.
Merivale seven participating venues are: Lotus, Sand Bar, Hemmesphere, Gin Garden and ivy‘s Den, Pool Club and Terrace bars will be offering selected cocktails for $15.
Here’s a sneak peak of the cocktails on offer at these top cocktail spots:
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As well as the cracking looking concoctions on offer over the week here’s a rundown of the classes on offer:
The Magnificent 7 – ‘The final shootout’ – World Cocktail Day
One of Australia’s leading bar-training-programs, Mixxit, is gearing up for the final leg of a competition that has attracted some of the country’s finest bartenders. The winner of the Magnificent 7 competition will fly to New York and attend the world famous five-day BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource). Guests are invited to come down and cheer on their state finalist and see some of the best Australian cocktail makers battling it out on the main stage at ivy. The seven finalists: Anita Strother, Byblos, Brisbane; Edward Murphy, Baden Powell, Melbourne; Erica Richards, Crown & Sceptre, Adelaide; Richie Brenton, Charlie’s Bar, Melbourne; Nick Edwards, The Lark, Brisbane; Christian Blair, Crown & Sceptre, Adelaide; Luke Reddington, Hugos Bar Pizza, Sydney.
6.30pm, Thursday 13 May at ivy, level 1, 320 George Street, Sydney
Vodka Masterclass
Oliver Stuart, Russian Standard Vodka’s brand ambassador and Bartender magazine’s Bartender of the Year in 2006, will talk through the subtleties of his favourite spirit and share three fantastic vodka cocktail recipes.
6-8pm, Tuesday 11 May at ivy terrace and bar, Level 1, 320 George Street, Sydney $65pp includes 3 cocktails & canapés
Cocktail Express
Cocktail aficionados can compare and contrast Merivale’s mixologists’ skills while exploring four Merivale venues over the course of an evening. Collect a map and drink tokens from Gin Garden inside Establishment and enjoy canapés and a cocktail at every stop.
6pm, Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 May at Gin Garden, Establishment, 252 George Street, Sydney $60 includes canapés and 4 cocktails or mocktails
Rum Masterclass
Pernod Ricard’s cocktail guru and brand ambassador, Ben Davidson, and Lotus’ award-winning mixologist Petr Dvoracek will conduct rum tastings before guiding guests through the art of making the perfect pina colada, daiquiri and a surprise rum cocktail.
4-6pm, Saturday 15 May at Lotus, Challis Ave, Potts Point $65pp includes 3 cocktails & canapés
Tequila Masterclass
Brown Forman’s brand ambassador Shae Silvesto and Hemmesphere’s very own hombre, Sebastian Derbomez, take guests through the history of Tequila before hosting Tequila tastings and demonstrating three Tequila cocktails, including the classic Margarita. Ole!
6-8pm, Tuesday 11 May at Hemmesphere, 252 George St, Sydney $65pp includes 3 cocktails & canapés
Gin Masterclass
Learn more about those obscure juniper berries when gin specialist Ben Davidson and Gin Garden mixologist Paul Mott discuss the history of gin, host top-shelf gin tastings and show guests how to shake up three classic gin cocktails.
6-8pm, Wednesday 12 May at Hemmesphere, 252 George St, Sydney $65pp includes 3 cocktails & canapés
Whisky Masterclass
Pernod Ricard’s cocktail guru and brand ambassador, Ben Davidson and The Den‘s resident mixologist Nico Darras show you how to make magic with a splash of whisky. They will demonstrate three classic whisky cocktails, including the Rob Roy and Bobby Burns.
5-7pm, Saturday 15 May at the Den, ivy, 320 George St, Sydney $65pp includes 3 cocktails & canapés
Bourbon Masterclass
Take a trip through the Kentucky cornfields as Beam Global’s bourbon specialist, Jarred Plummer, talks about the USA’s most famous spirit and its history. He’ll also demonstrate how to make the most of bourbon, sharing some of his favourite bourbon cocktail recipes.
6-8pm, Wednesday 12 May at Sand Bar, Slip Inn, 111 Sussex St, Sydney $65pp includes 3 cocktails & canapés
Luxury Vodka Masterclass
Moet-Hennessey’s Garth Foster and Jimmy Sakajani from ivy’s Pool Club show guests how to make the most of luxury vodka with three favourite vodka cocktail recipes. They’ll also host a tasting of different luxury vodkas.
3-5pm, Friday 14 May at ivy Pool Club, 320 George St, Sydney $70pp includes 3 cocktails & canapés
Vintage Cocktail Night
Merivale head mixologist Mikey Enright and Mixxit mixologist Jason Crawley, will host four veteran bartenders, Ben Davidson, Dylan Howarth, Simon McGoram and Marco Farone to mix vintage cocktails in The Den.
6.30-8.30pm, Tuesday 11 May at The Den, ivy, 320 George St, Sydney $70pp includes cocktails and canapés
Tiki Cocktail class
Learn to master tropical cocktails served in pineapples or coconuts as Nick Van ‘Tiki’ Tiel – a seasoned Tiki specialist and Reserve’s brand ambassador – and Mikey Enright talk through the history Polynesian pop culture and demonstrate how to make the perfect Pina Colada, Mai Tai and Zombie. Each student will have the opportunity to make a Tiki classic cocktail and the winning cocktail will take home a Tiki Drink set.
6-8pm, Wednesday 12th May at ivy Pool Club, 320 George St, Sydney $70 includes 3 cocktails including and canapés
For further information, visit www.merivale.com or call 02 9240 3000.
Congratulations Mikey and all involved! this is an exciting programe and its good to see such effort going into consumer drink eductaion. I just hope this catches on and that many more venues all around the country start getting involved with WCW in their own way to help excite and educate consumers. well done!
Mikey, Looks great but can I ask why isn’t Pierre getting a mention he’s the best Bartender within the group apart from yourself of course! Marty