Cheers to the mixologists, cocktail-makers and all-round brilliant bartenders. Whatever name they choose to go by, we salute them for creating the drinks we like best: cocktails.
We love our cocktails, but (depending on where you go) the menu can be exhaustive and overwhelming, with puntastic names, ingredients you can’t pronounce and equal parts confusing and interesting foams, vapors and distillations.
But don’t fear the list! We’ve put together a list of epic signature cocktails from some of our favourite Brisbane bars. You’re welcome. (Just don’t try them in quick succession – that’s a recipe for disaster and you probably won’t remember how truly awesome they were if you overdo it.)
1. Eleven Bar Cocktail
The rooftop bar 11 floors up in the Valley has a cocktail with a delicious combination of Beefeater Gin, ginger syrup, passionfruit and lemon.
Eleven Rooftop Bar, Fortitude Valley
2. The Bee’s Knees
The Bee’s Knees cocktail at Emporium Hotel highlights sustainability practices by using honey sourced straight from their own rooftop. The cocktail has Beefeater Gin, lemon, “E” Roof Top Honey, Crème De Violette, smoked lavender and bee pollen.
Emporium Hotel, Fortitude Valley
3. Comuna Colada
Comuna Cantina offers delicious Latin street food, all designed to be shared. The range of fun cocktails has some available by the jug, but it’s the Comuna Colada that has become the most popular. A pink piña colada, the Comuna Colada is made with dragon fruit, Pampero Blanco Rum, coconut liqueur, coconut cream and pineapple juice.
Comuna Cantina, Brisbane CBD
4. Signature Sazerac
Soaring 30 storeys above the CBD is Sazerac, Brisbane’s highest sky bar. Cocktails are the bar’s main focus – specifically the drink it’s named after: the oldest known American cocktail with world-class charm. Their Signature Sazerac has a strong mix of cognac, rye whiskey and absinthe, with a pinch of Peychaud's Bitters.
Sazerac in Four Points By Sheraton, Brisbane CBD
5. Blueberry, Passionfruit Sangria
We’re loving the way The Sangria Bar has turned our love of sangria into a modern-day cocktail with this refreshing blueberry, passionfruit variety.
The Sangria Bar, South Bank
6. The Drunk
While it might not be their signature drink, this is our Editor’s favourite Brisbane cocktail (we swear, she said it!). Served in James Street’s Gerard’s Bar, this cocktail contains Absolut Vodka, passionfruit, pomegranate and rose.
Gerard’s Bar, Fortitude Valley
7. Eagle Street Treat
This cheeky treat will set you on the path to ultimate satisfaction and indulgence. With Ketel One Vodka, Baileys, Frangelico, chocolate and – wait for it – peanut butter ice-cream, you can’t go wrong.
Pony Dining, Brisbane CBD
8. Negroni
If you’re going to an Italian restaurant, it would be rude not to try their Negroni, right? Mister Paganini’s has Campari, vermouth and gin. And to celebrate the upcoming Negroni week (June 6 to 12), Mister Paganini has announced a portion of their Negronis proceeds during the week will be going to charity.
Mister Paganini, South Bank
9. Poire Royal
If you’re after a premium cocktail, you can’t go past the Stokehouse Q cocktail made with Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne! It also uses CÎROC Ultra-Premium vodka, Poire Williams liqueur and biodynamic pear juice.
Stokehouse Q, South Bank
10. Plum and Passionfruit Caprioska
With a list of 17 cocktails, it’s hard for anyone to pick a favourite, but we’re sure this one is right up there! Garnished with a fresh lime, this cocktail has Santiago Plum Pisco, Aperol, lime, passionfruit and sweet, sweet sugar. Shaken, not stirred.
Blackbird, Brisbane CBD
11. Red Hook Ice Tea
This laneway gem in the city has many unusual (and equally delicious) cocktails on its menu. While the Red Hook Ice Tea is pretty recognisable, with vodka, rum, gin, Grand Marnier, mescal, vanilla lemon and cola, their other cocktails are next-level! Our other favourites include the Harlem Hard Shake and Spiked Cream Soda, both with ice-cream and the Pickled Cheeseburger Martini served with a bacon strip!
Red Hook, Brisbane CBD
12. Don’t Kale My Vibe
Brisbane finally has a range of superfood cocktails that we can drink guilt-free in our activewear, activewear. We’re particular fond of their naughty-but-nice green smoothie called Don’t Kale My Vibe.
Corbett & Claude, Brisbane CBD
13. Ra The Egyptian Sun God
It’s a summer cocktail all year round. This is a tropical blend of Angostura rum, Massenez Crème de Cassis, guava, apple, lime, falernum, and Gosling’s 151 rum. Drink it by the pool with a view of the river – perfect!
Soleil Pool Bar, South Brisbane
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