Keen to nail the ultimate no-fuss Christmas cocktail this year? Acclaimed Melbourne bar manager Nele Stubben shares how
Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family, which comes with the joy of indulging in a hearty meal or having a few drinks. For some, these celebrations can trigger heartburn or indigestion, but thanks to Gaviscon, you can enjoy this delicious time without hesitation. In celebration, we’ve partnered with Gaviscon to bring to you the 12 recipes of Christmas by some of our favourite Aussie chefs and bartenders. See all 12 recipes here.
Picture this: it’s a boiling hot Christmas day, you’ve got 30 people coming over for lunch and there’s barely enough time to get the ham prepped, let alone whip up a welcome drink for everyone. Enter the Farmer’s Collins – a tasty, easy-to-make cocktail that’s also a certified crowd-pleaser.
It’s this light, summery and highly drinkable vibe that Nele Stubben – bar manager at top Melbourne restaurant, Farmer’s Daughters – had in mind when first concocting the drink.
“I wanted to build a cocktail with a flavour profile that would be appealing for just about anyone. It’s not overly sweet, and it’s very bright and refreshing. It’s nice to have at 3pm, sitting in the afternoon sun.”
Like most of the dishes on the menu at Farmer’s Daughters, the Farmer’s Collins is loaded with incredible ingredients from Victoria’s Gippsland region. We’re talking an elderflower liqueur sourced direct from a local grower, and a special rosé-based vermouth made in collaboration with Maidenii – Australia’s first producer of premium vermouth.
“When they (Maidenii) offered to make a vermouth with us, we opted for a rosé base, which is really fun,” says Stubben. “And then we decided to go with all Australian native botanicals, which is really great because there’s not a lot of products out there like that.”
So what makes it the ultimate Christmas cocktail? According to Stubben, you can make it early and leave it in the fridge to chill until your guests arrive, because there is no shaking required – just a careful stir (you don’t want to lose all the carbonation) and a little top up of soda, if needed. It’s also not super boozy, which means even the designated drivers can indulge in a glass or two.
Best of all, the Farmer’s Collins pairs perfectly with seafood – which we know is a staple menu item for many Aussies on Christmas Day. In particular, Stubben recommends “oysters and grilled prawn skewers – that would definitely go amazing together with the drink.”
For Stubben, a German native originally from Hamburg, the idea of a sweltering Christmas and getting time off to spend with family is still a bit of a novelty (after all, the festive season is the busiest time of the year for hospo workers in Europe), but she’s learning to appreciate the chance to slow down and relax.
“In Germany, the world doesn’t just stop because it’s Christmas,” she says. “So that’s something that I really love about Australia, that you get once a year to just spend time with friends and family. It’s my fourth year here now, and I’m slowly starting to embrace it.”
And this summer, after a big Christmas celebration, Stubben is even taking part in a great Aussie tradition: the January beach trip. She’s heading down to the Great Ocean Road with her husband’s extended family for a few weeks of sun, sea and sand. We’re betting there will be quite a few Farmer’s Collins enjoyed by all.
40ml Maidenii Gippsland vermouth
20ml elderflower liqueur
30ml pink grapefruit juice (fresh)
25ml lime juice (fresh)
10ml grapefruit oleo
Soda
Cucumber for garnish
Ice
Gaviscon – if you suffer from heartburn or indigestion and want to eat and drink with confidence during the holidays!
Heartburn an issue? Pick up Gaviscon from your local grocery store or pharmacy. Make it a Christmas to remember and win a $2,000 Visa Gift Card from Gaviscon to spend on summer entertaining – head to www.gaviscon.com.au/win to enter.
Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry – and acid reflux has the potential to ruin all those plans. Luckily, Gaviscon has your back (or rather your oesophagus). This medicine may not be right for you. Read the label before purchase. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.
We've invited chefs in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to contribute delicious recipes that will give any seasonal get-together a big lift. From the perfect Christmas turkey to a stunning seafood paella to summery cocktails, these are recipes that draw fans in top bars and restaurants that you can make at home to the amazement of your nearest and dearest.
