Tom Gibson’s Vivid festival event
The Argyle bar manager Tom Gibson.
Is there one drinks rule that should be broken?
You often hear people say: try a new drink every week. However, I believe you should be a master of your drink. Work out what you like, understand how it’s made, appreciate the best way to drink it, then you’ll always get what you expect rather than an unwelcome surprise.
What are you selling a lot of?
Spiced rum and dry, spiced rum and ginger beer and spiced rum and coke. The hipsters are winning in Sydney.
Is there a drink that you think will be the next big thing?
Australia is expanding its spirit repertoire by producing some excellent new age gins. Distillers such as Four Pillars, West Winds and the Melbourne Gin Co. are leading with their award-winning products that are gaining well-earned international recognition. Experiment with them in a martini with as many fresh Sicilian olives that you can fit on a stick.
What’s the most under-rated cocktail people should know about?
The Sazerac. I like a mix of cognac and rye in an absinthe rinsed glass. It bursts with personality and has a solid punch to warm you on a cold winter night.
And the most over-rated?
Spiced rum, if you don’t know a good cocktail maker.
What’s the biggest challenge facing you at the moment?
Having enough spiced rum in stock.
Name your special occasion drink.
Pair your drink of choice with the occasion. My favourite would have to be a lovely bottle of red on a cold winter’s eve. I can’t go past champagne for a birthday brunch, or even a few whisky shots to make a bad Tinder date fun.
What cocktail would you suggest for novices?
The Negroni. Equal parts gin, campari and sweet vermouth, stirred over ice and garnished with a wedge of orange. The beauty of it lies in the simplicity of the recipe as it can be replicated in either single drinks or generous jugs just by following the formula. I taught my parents, now it’s a standard aperitif for all of their dinner parties, and it never fails to impress.
Don’t miss the last week of Fractured Fantasies at The Argyle coinciding with the final week of Vivid 2015. The Argyle comes alive with Star Wars-themed cocktails, lighting displays and costumed DJs. Until Sunday, June 7. The Argyle, 18 Argyle St, The Rocks.
Source: The Daily Telegraph June 02, 2015
