The Schweppes brand needs little introduction. World-famous makers of sparkling beverages, the company has existed since 1783. They have been making mixer drinks for almost 150 years, using the same ingredients and processes as when they launched Indian Tonic Water and Dry Ginger Ale back in 1870.
So the arrival of a new range of Schweppes premium mixers and crafted soft drinks – Schweppes Signature Series – is a big deal. Created in collaboration with three leading Australian bartenders, Schweppes Signature Series is getting a grand launch at the Winery from Thursday April 4 to Sunday May 5.
Bar Schweppes will be taking over the entire venue and serving botanical cocktails, each featuring a unique sensory experience with carefully curated garnishes and mists of essential oils that accentuate the flavour notes within each cocktail. Priced at just $15 each, the cocktails are available for a limited time only.
In addition, Bar Schweppes is popping up a Botanical Bar in the Winery’s laneway (open 5-8pm weekdays and 2-8pm weekends), where visitors can design their own unique botanical cocktail with the help of the Winery’s mixologists.
Brighten up your day with a Blossom & Tonic – gin and elderflower syrup with Schweppes Signature Series Bright Tonic and a garnish of fresh flowers and fragrant lemongrass oils. Or try the new tonic in a Bright Highball featuring gin, fino sherry, lemon juice and peach bitters.
Get a lift with a Café Mule, combining spiced rum, a touch of coffee, chocolate and Schweppes Signature Series Dry Ginger, topped with a toasted marshmallow and aromatic orange oils. Or feel the spark of a Whiplash Spritz – vodka, passionfruit, fresh lime, basil and Schweppes Signature Series Soda Water. And the classic Tom Collins gets a twist with white rum, pomegranate, lime, mint and Schweppes Signature Series Lemonade in La Vida Collins.
The Winery takeover comes complete with a shimmering centrepiece display of sparkling bubbles overhead and behind the bar; pop-up serving stations; and bubbles flowing through the courtyard.
To create the Signature Series, Schweppes’ master blenders joined forces with mixologists Charlie Ainsbury (previously of This Must Be the Place), Jess Arnott (ex-MasterChef top three) and Chris Hysted-Adams (previously of Melbourne’s Black Pearl). The new mixers include such ingredients as Javanese Cinchona Bark, Indian Chilli and Colorado Mountain Salts.
Get down to the Winery before April 28 to experience these mixers, designed to pair perfectly with fine spirits. The Winery’s hours are daily noon to midnight.
If you want to try the Schweppes Signature Series for yourself at home you can pick them up from Dan Murphy’s stores nationally from April 1.