Best Australian Beverage Types
Shiraz is the most prized Australian grape variety. The grape is identical to French Syrah, and although it is not native to the region, this old French grape found its spiritual home in Australia. It is cultivated in all Australian wine regions, and it remains the most prolific and popular grape in the country.
The wines can vary in character depending on the region, but they are typically dark, full-bodied, and fruit-forward. The wines from Barossa Valley are often cited as classic representatives. They are rich and concentrated, with firm and well-integrated tannins and fruity aroma and flavor, usually reminiscent of ripe dark berries and plums.
THE BEST Shiraz (Australia) Wine Varieties

Berton Vineyard
Reserve Shiraz
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Armagnac Gold Trophy 2019

Mr. Riggs
Mr Riggs 2013 the Chap Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold 2023, 2020
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Lemon, lime, and bitters is a cocktail made with a combination of lemonade, lime juice cordial, and Angostura bitters. In order to prepare this soft, soothing cocktail, all ingredients should be combined in a jug, then poured into ice-filled glasses garnished with lemon or lime slices.
Another way of preparing the cocktail is to rim the glasses with Angostura on the inside until the glasses are fully coated with the aromatic bitters. Due to the extremely low alcoholic content, LLB is often considered a mocktail or a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Flat white is a coffee variety that couples a double shot of freshly brewed espresso and milk, which is usually steamed to create a light, silky microfoam. A perfect flat white should have an intense coffee flavor, and milk should only be a complement, not a predominant element, while the froth on top should be less airy and bubbly than in the classic cappuccino or caffè latte.
It is believed that the flat white originated sometime in the 1980s, but it is still disputed whether it initially appeared in Australia or New Zealand.
Long black is a coffee variety that is often considered to be a close relative of caffé Americano. They both combine an espresso shot with hot water, but unlike its counterpart, long black is prepared by pouring or directly extracting the espresso into a cup of hot water.
The result is a full-bodied drink that leaves the crema—a thick, creamy foam on top—intact. It is believed that the term and the coffee style originated in Australia or New Zealand.
Lemon barley water is a non-alcoholic, thirst-quenching beverage that is also used as a health tonic. The drink is made by slowly simmering barley, sometimes with lemon zest, until it is cooked. The liquid is then sieved and combined with lemon juice and honey or sugar.
The combination is then usually left to chill. Lemon barley water is traditionally enjoyed as a refreshing summer drink, and it can be served over ice or together with lemon slices. Similar combinations are enjoyed in other parts of the world, and in Australia, it is also available as a cordial.
Rutherglen Muscat is a fortified dessert wine hailing from the Rutherglen wine region in North East Victoria. The wines are made from Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge—one of the red small-berried varieties belonging to the Muscat family that is usually called Brown Muscat or Rutherglen Brown Muscat.
These rich and luscious wines are a result of a unique climate and regional wine practices. The grapes are left longer on the wine because of stable, dry, and sunny weather, allowing sugar to become more concentrated. The wines are fortified to retain sugar and are then aged in wood using a solera system.
THE BEST Rutherglen Muscat Fortified Wines

De Bortoli Wines
Rutherglen Estate Red Shiraz-Durif 2018
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold 2020
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Death Flip is one of the so-called modern classics. This cocktail combines blanco tequila, yellow Chartreuse, Jägermeister, simple syrup, and a whole egg. The ingredients are shaken with ice and strained into a glass. Death Flip is usually served in a coupe glass.
The top is traditionally garnished with freshly grated nutmeg. The cocktail was created by Chris Hysted-Adams, a bartender at Black Pearl in Melbourne, Australia. It was first introduced in 2010. The name is a reference to flip cocktails—a 19th-century cocktail category that includes eggs, while the death part could be a reference to its potency.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Japanese Slipper is a cocktail made with a combination of equal parts Midori liqueur, Cointreau, and lemon juice. In order to prepare it, all ingredients should be shaken with ice, then strained into a cocktail glass with a single maraschino cherry on the bottom.
The cocktail is often garnished with a honeydew melon slice. This fruity drink was invented in 1984 by Jean-Paul Bourguignon, at the Mietta’s Restaurant in Melbourne.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Sydney Sunrise Sunshine is a light, non-alcoholic cocktail made with fresh orange juice, lime juice, honey, and an egg. As the name suggests, it hails from Sydney, but there is little information about its origin. To make the cocktail, all the ingredients are blended, and the combination is usually served in a highball glass.
Sydney Sunrise Sunshine is a great morning drink and allegedly an excellent hangover cure. Optionally, it can be served over ice.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Fizzy Apple Cocktail is an Australian mixed drink made with a combination of apple vodka, apple juice, and lemonade. In order to prepare it, all ingredients should be poured into a chilled glass with ice, and the cocktail is then served garnished with apple or lemon slices.
This drink is typically consumed by the younger generations, and it was supposedly invented because the famous Appletini was too strong for the average Australian palate.
Best Australian Beverage Producers
Starward Whisky, founded in 2007 by David Vitale, is an Australian distillery located in Melbourne. The distillery is renowned for its innovative approach to whisky production, utilizing locally sourced ingredients and maturing its spirits in Australian red wine barrels.
This unique maturation process imparts distinctive flavors to their whiskies, reflecting the rich wine heritage of the region.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
BEST Starward Spirits
Arktika Vodka is an Australian brand inspired by the Arctic, known for its cold-filtered and triple-distilled production process. It is made in Victoria, using carefully selected Australian wheat, resulting in a clean, balanced, and smooth flavor profile.
Arktika offers several variants, including Original, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Raspberry, and Lemon-Lime, perfect for mixing in cocktails. Arktika Vodka is part of the Edgemill Group
AWARDS

European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024, 2023

European Spirits Challenge - Silver
2024

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST Artika Vodka Spirits
Mr. Riggs is a boutique winery based in McLaren Vale, South Australia, founded by winemaker Ben Riggs in 2001. The winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with innovative practices to craft premium wines that reflect the character and climate of the region.
Mr. Riggs sources its grapes from carefully selected vineyards across South Australia, particularly focusing on McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills, which are known for producing rich, flavorful wines with a strong sense of terroir.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2020

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2020, 2018

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2017
BEST Mr. Riggs Wines
Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS) is Australia's first dedicated gin distillery, established in 2006 on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The distillery is renowned for producing high-quality gins, vodkas, and liqueurs, with a strong emphasis on using local and native ingredients.
In addition to production, the distillery offers visitor experiences, including tastings, cocktail masterclasses, and other immersive activities.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023, 2019

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2020

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Contemporary Gin Gold Trophy
2019
BEST Kangaroo Island Distillery Spirits
Billy Stitch is an artisan distillery located in Baldivis, Perth, Western Australia, dedicated to crafting premium gins with a focus on quality and flavor. The distillery emphasizes the use of the finest botanicals and meticulous distillation processes to achieve smooth and complex flavor profiles.
In addition to their commitment to producing exceptional spirits, Billy Stitch allocates 5% of their profits towards educational initiatives and the creation of local businesses in Promar village, Cambodia, reflecting their dedication to social responsibility.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST Billy Stitch Distillery Spirits
Banks and Bloom is an Australian producer of premium alcoholic beverages, dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Australia and the rich flavors it offers. As scientists passionate about conservation, sustainability is a key element of their business.
They use solar panels, biodegradable packaging, and work exclusively with growers who share their commitment to the land. Their philosophy is based on transparency in food production, personally visiting all their growers to ensure compliance with production practices.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST Banks and Bloom Spirits
Lark Distilling is an Australian distillery known for its premium whisky production. Founded in 1992 by Bill Lark, it is often referred to as the pioneer of the Australian whisky industry, particularly for its role in reviving whisky distillation in Tasmania.
Lark Distilling is celebrated for its single malt whiskies, which are crafted using traditional methods, including copper pot stills and locally sourced ingredients.
AWARDS

The World Whiskey Masters - Gold
2023, 2022

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2021, 2020

The World Whiskey Masters - Master
2023, 2022
BEST Lark Distilling Spirits
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Wharf St. Distillery Spirits
Serafino Wines is a family-owned winery in the McLaren Vale wine region of South Australia, known for crafting premium wines that reflect the region's unique terroir. Established by Italian immigrant Serafino “Steve” Maglieri in 1968, the winery has a long tradition of Italian winemaking heritage combined with innovative techniques.
Serafino Wines produces a diverse range of varietals, including Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and more, with a strong reputation for full-bodied, expressive reds.
AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold
2022, 2021, 2019
BEST Serafino Wines Wines
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2021, 2020

The Gin Masters - Gold
2022

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2022
BEST Seppeltsfield Road Distillers Spirits
Best Australian Beverages
An exquisite dessert wine from Australia's De Bortoli family winery Picked late on the vine, the grapes’ natural sugars have been allowed to intensify, resulting in a golden hued wine boasting a delicate concentration of citrus, peach and apricot flavours that are both sumptuous and fresh.
Fabulous with sweet desserts, but try it with blue cheese for an inspired pairing. One of the most famed dessert wines.
AWARDS

International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Sweet 2023
2023

International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Sweet 2020
2020

International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Sweet 2019
2019
O Gin is one of the signature products from Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS), crafted to reflect the unique flavors of Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It is a contemporary dry gin, combining traditional botanicals with the native coastal daisy bush (Olearia axillaris), which imparts sweet and piney notes.
O Gin pairs perfectly with premium tonics, fresh citrus garnishes, or as the base for classic gin cocktails like a Gin Martini or Negroni.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023, 2019

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Contemporary Gin Gold Trophy
2019

London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

The Gin Masters - Gold
2022

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2019
Starward Nova is an Australian single malt whisky crafted in Melbourne, known for its unique maturation process. Aged exclusively in red wine barrels from local wineries producing Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, the barrels are used fresh—often still wet with wine—and only lightly charred or steamed.
This method allows the rich red wine flavors to impart a distinctive profile to the whisky.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023

The World Whiskey Masters - Master
2023
Starward Tawny #2 is an exceptional single malt whisky crafted by Starward Distillery in Melbourne, Australia, and is part of a limited edition series that showcases the unique influence of tawny (port) fortified wine casks. Fully matured in both fresh and charred Australian tawny casks, this whisky draws richly from the wood, bringing a complexity of flavors distinctive to the region’s wine tradition.
On the nose, Tawny #2 reveals tropical aromas alongside dried raisins and a touch of toasted oak. The palate offers a rich combination of brown sugar, caramel, and notes of dried fruits, layered with hints of spice and wood influence from the tawny barrels.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

The World Whiskey Masters - Gold
2023

The World Whiskey Masters - Master & Taste Master
2022
Banks & Bloom Ice Vodka is a premium Australian spirit produced by Banks and Bloom Distillery + Lab, located in Western Australia. This vodka is crafted using a proprietary cold vacuum distillation technique, which involves distilling at low temperatures under vacuum conditions.
This method gently preserves delicate compounds that are often lost in traditional high-heat distillation, resulting in a vodka with subtle citrus notes and a clean, crisp finish. The flavor profile of Banks & Bloom Ice Vodka is enhanced by the inclusion of native Australian botanicals, such as blood limes and samphire.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023

The Vodka Masters - Master
2023
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023

SWSC - Singapore World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
The growing season of Vintage 2021 in the Barossa was cool and mild, resulting in a long ripening period and the development of ripe and generous flavours. Meticulous attention to detail produced stunning parcels of fruit with physiological ripeness from the two source vineyards in the Barossa and Eden Valley.
Upon arrival at the winery the parcels were de-stemmed into small sweeping arm fermenters, inoculated with a specialised yeast strain and pressed separately to stainless steel vessels for malolactic fermentation. Maturation took place in new and seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for 18 months, of which only the best barrels formed the blend.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Armagnac Gold Trophy
2019

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2017
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2020, 2018
Billy Stitch Dry Gin is a premium spirit meticulously crafted in Baldivis, Perth, Western Australia. Bottled at a robust 50% ABV, this gin delivers a concentrated flavor profile that appeals to both traditionalists and contemporary gin enthusiasts.
The gin is distinguished by its juniper-forward character, complemented by a harmonious blend of botanicals including coriander, orris root, angelica root, lemon peel, cassia bark, cardamom, and Szechuan pepper. This combination imparts a spice-forward palate with a distinctive lemon-pepper finish, offering a complex and invigorating tasting experience.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
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