NOW EXPERIENCING:4 bottled cocktails that’ll save you time (and money) at your next party
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4 bottled cocktails that’ll save you time (and money) at your next party


Read time 3 Mins

Posted 09 Nov 2023

By
Emily Reed


If carting around multiple spirits is too hard (and too exxy), bring one of these as your plus-one.

It’s party season – and that means it’s cocktail season (our favourite season, tbh). Party season is a riot: your calendar is chock-a-block, you’re on a first-name basis with your local deli lady, and if there was a prize for the best house party Spotify playlist you’d win hands down. The thing with whipping up cocktails at a party you’re hosting or attending is that it takes time – time you’d rather be spending snacking/chatting/dancing. It can also lead to needing to buy a whole heap of different spirits you may not use again for ages. So, we’re here to help you save time, money and cupboard space with these four pre-bottled cocktails. They’re as good as the real thing… maybe even better? We’ll let you be the judge.
A bottle of Tails 42 Below Passionfruit Martini

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1. Tails 42 Below Passionfruit Martini

Your guests will go troppo for this fruity little number from the team at Tails. Their mission is simple: experience at-home cocktails with zero effort, but all the flavour and complexity of the real deal. When it comes to entertaining, the fact of the matter is there’s a bit to juggle – from tablescaping to cheeseboard plating and making sure the ham is glazed to perfection. So, if you can save time and pull a cocktail practically out of thin air then you’re winning. The Tails 42 Below Passionfruit Martini is an obvious choice as the weather warms up and the days get longer; it’s got a fun tropical taste thanks to plenty of passionfruit, which is married together with a touch of citrus, 42 Below Vodka and a sweet hint of vanilla. All you need to do is pour it into a cocktail shaker with ice (an old jam jar will suffice), get shaking, divvy it out into your favourite Martini glasses, slice up a passionfruit for a fancy garnish and ensure you put one in the hand of every guest. Job done!

2. Campari Negroni

This next ready-to-sip cocktail is for those who want to relive the Italian holiday they managed during the year – and those who wish they did. You can’t go past a classic Negroni; it’s the quintessential Italian cocktail, the aperitivo hero if you will. Rather than buying all the parts to make your own from scratch at your next event, we suggest this pre-batched Campari Negroni, featuring the original recipe blend of Campari, vermouth rosso and London Dry gin. Not only is it a time saver, but it means you won’t have any leftover bottles of spirits gathering dust in your cupboard post-party. To make the easiest Negroni ever, simply pour 90ml of Campari Negroni into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with an orange wedge. Now that’s what we call la dolce vita.
A bottle of Campari Negroni

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A bottle of Starward Whisky Negroni

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3. Starward Whisky Negroni

Those clever cookies at Starward’s Port Melbourne distillery are always blowing our minds with jazzy takes on the classics. Case in point with this traditional Italian aperitif with a distinctly Australian twist. For their take on the Negroni, they’ve swapped the gin for their own excellent whisky, making for a richer, warmer cocktail. And of course, behind every Starward bottle is a close relationship with trusted local producers, which leads to a finished product bursting with flavour. For the Whisky Negroni, the team sourced sweet vermouth and bitter orange liqueur from said producers, resulting in a balanced yet bold ready-to-drink cocktail with a long and drying finish, plus hints of jaffa chocolate and orange zest. The perfect accompaniment to an antipasti platter, all you need to do is pour it into ice-filled glasses, chuck an orange peel on top and let the good times roll. This is a Whisky Negroni so simple you could almost serve it with your eyes closed. Maybe don’t though – could get messy.

4. Archie Rose Vanilla Espresso Martini

Everyone loves the idea of an Espresso Martini – but let’s be real, making them can be a bit of a logistical nightmare. You’re brewing more coffee than a barista at your local cafe; can someone locate the sugar syrup? Maybe we need to make our own. Oh wait, we don’t have enough vodka! If your Espresso Martini process goes a little like this, the solution is obvious: let Archie Rose do the hard work for you. Their latest bottled cocktail creation, the Vanilla Espresso Martini, is a simple (and bloody tasty) spin on the ubiquitous Espresso Martini featuring Archie Rose True Cut Vodka, cold drip coffee and ethically sourced vanilla. And trust us, it’s definitely as good as (if not better) than any you could whip up yourself from scratch. Bring a bottle to the next party you attend and thank us later.
A bottle of Archie Rose Vanilla Espresso Martini

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image credits: Alice Hutchinson (photography) Bridget Wald (styling)