Meet the Mixologist

Meet the Mixologist

Meet The Mixologist

Natalie Ng

Name: Natalie Ng

Location: Sydney

Instagram: @nat_nsc, @doorknock_sydney

Experience:

I quit my job as a National Brand Ambassador for Diageo to open Door Knock. Having worked in the hospitality industry for over 15 years, Door Knock has been a dream come true. Door Knock is a speakeasy bar tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD. Our focus is predominantly on great cocktails and an extensive spirits selection, but we are also very passionate about good quality wine.

  • Bacardi Legacy 2020 Top 3 Finalist
  • Australia Liquor Industry Awards Bartender of the Year 2018
  • Bar of The Year Finalist 2018 & 2019
  • Cocktail List of the Year Finalist 2018 & 2019
  • Time Out Best New Bar 2017

Favourite cocktail and why:

Tommy’s Margaritas, simple and delicious.

How did you become a mixologist?

I worked in a variety of cocktail and wine bars throughout university and ended up loving hospitality more than my real job as a radiologist.

What do you love about making cocktails?

There are constantly new weird and wonderful spirits and ingredients to work with, so it always remains fun and exciting to be able to come up with new cocktails. It is all about creating a memorable drinking experience for your guests, I love being able to create something for someone you just met, it is genuinely a great feeling.

What’s the best rum recipe for beginners?

Old Cubans! It’s like a classier and more celebratory Mojito. Shake rum, mint, lime and sugar then strain into a coupe or martini glass and top with your favourite sparkling wine (it is also fun to play with your ingredient ratios to suit your personal palate, some people like it sweeter and some people like it more on the sour side). Great for dinner parties!

What are the upcoming cocktails trends?

Spritz-style drinks and low ABV cocktails using products such and sherries and vermouth. Hopefully the focus on supporting locally made produce will also continue to rise.

What’s your favourite Waterford glass?

I love the whole Irish Dogs range (the decanters are amazing!), but if I had to choose, the Irish Dogs Madra Tumblers are stunning and an elegant stand out.

Shop Irish Dogs Collection

Natalie Ng Pride/Mardi Gras Cocktails

March is Pride Month in Australia, to celebrate, we have incorporated the theme into our mixologist cocktail series. Natalie was excited to collaborate with Waterford to create recipes with deeper meaning and did not fail to impress. Celebrate diversity in style, with drinks completely tailored to the occasion.

Sign of the Limes

Description:

Inspired by one of the greatest artists of all times, Prince! A true icon, ‘Sign of the Times’ was a socially conscious album with songs that have established a place in history. Prince is a must play on any Mardi Gras/Pride celebration playlist. This drink is dedicated to him…elegant, bold and a little bit sexy!

Ingredients:

  • 40ml Dark Rum
  • 15ml Kaffir Lime & Strawberry Infused Sweet Vermouth (cold infusion)
  • 10ml Honey Water
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Dehydrated strawberry slice and a Kaffir lime leaf for garnishing

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail mixer with ice and stir
  2. Place a large ice cube in a tumbler and strain the mix into the tumbler
  3. Tear a kaffir lime leaf and rub around the edge of the tumbler to release aroma
  4. Garnish with a dehydrated strawberry and a kaffir lime leaf

Mixologist notes:

To make the cold infusion, combine Sweet Vermouth, sliced strawberry & kaffir lime into a sous vide bag, if you have a vacuum seal machine, seal the bag using this to ensure all air is removed. Leave in the fridge overnight to infuse. If you do not have a vacuum seal machine, simply use a zip lock sandwich bag and leave overnight in fridge.

Pride Colada

Description:

To celebrate everything that is vibrant and joyous about Mardi Gras, there is nothing better than a tropical Piña Colada! This version is fresh, moorish and a little bit extra with the topping of champagne. A perfect drink to get any party started!

Ingredients:

  • 50ml White Rum
  • 10ml Suze
  • 30ml Fresh salted pineapple juice*
  • 30ml Coconut cream
  • 15ml Lemon Juice
  • 70ml Champagne
  • 2-3 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters
  • Mint sprig and pineapple frong for garnishing

* Juice pineapples and add 2 pinches of sea salt for every 500ml of juice.

Method:

  1. Add the ingredients except the Champagne into a cocktail shaker
  2. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a hurricane glass half filled with ice
  3. Top with Champagne
  4. Place crushed ice on top (if available)
  5. Add 3-4 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
  6. Garnish with mint sprig and a pineapple frong

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Meet the Mixologist

Meet the Mixologist

Meet The Mixologist

Andrea Gualdi

Name: Andrea Gualdi

Location: Sydney

Instagram: @andreagua

Experience:

Maybe Sammy co-owner and creative director. During Maybe Sammy’s first year of operation, they were highly recognised for their venue and cocktail selection, making an instant splash on the restaurant and bar scene.

  • Best New International Cocktail Bar 2019 – Tales of the Cocktails (New Orleans)
  • Best Bar in Australasia 2019 – World’s 5 Best Bars
  • Number 43 of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 – London
  • Best Bar of the Year & Best Bar Team 2019 – Australian Bar Awards
  • Best New Bar, Best Bar of the Year & Best Cocktail Menu 2019– ALIA Bar Awards
  • Mixologist for sister venue, restauirant/bar Maybe Frank.
  • Nominated in the top 10 Restaurants/Bars of the Year for “Tales of the Cocktails”, 3 years in a row.
  • 2016 Bottle Cocktail of the Year winner – World Class Competition
  • 2017 Australian Bartender of the Year for World Class Competition – finishing in the Top 4 globally and winning the Global Signature Cocktail Challenge.

How did you become a mixologist?

When I moved to London, I began working in hospitality. Starting out in the kitchen, I covered a bar shift one night and instantly fell in love with the profession.

What do you love about making cocktails?

I love the experience that you can create for guests at the bar. What I love the most about making drinks is the emotion that you can create for the client directly in front of you.

What’s the best rum recipe for beginners?

The best option for rum, beginners and pros, is the daiquiri. An extremely simple drink but still not easy to make well! But, there is nothing more delicious than when those three ingredients – rum, fresh lime and sugar – mix together well!

What are the upcoming cocktails trends?

I think more and more people are looking to drink responsibly, so a low ABV(Alcohol by Volume) looks to be a trend that will be around for a while.

What’s your favourite Waterford glass?

I really love the Elegance Optic Belle Coupe. It is a very elegant glass that is definitely one of my favourites in the range.

Shop Elegance Collection

Andrea Gualdi’s Love Potions for Valentine’s Day

When Andrea was approached by Waterford to create cocktails inspired by Valentine’s Day, we knew a series to fall in love would be created. Celebrate love with the help of these elevated, romantic and refreshing cocktails.

Valentine’s Tricks

Description:

Following the latest trends, Valentine’s Tricks is “washed” to add another element of flavour. Bold, complex and romantic, this dark rum cocktail is garnished with floral oil, representing love and passion. If this isn’t a love potion, we don’t know what is.

Ingredients:

  • 40ml Dark Rum
  • 20ml Dry Vermouth
  • 15ml Apricot Nectar
  • 10ml White Crème de Cacao (Cacao Liqueur)
  • 10ml Coffee Liqueur
  • 20ml Coconut Milk to “wash”

For the Floral Oil (Garnish):

  • 15ml Canola Oil
  • 10ml Rose Extract
  • A dash of Red Oil Colourant

Method:

  1. Over a cocktail mixer, mix but do not shake all the ingredients together, except coconut milk.
  2. Pour the coconut milk slowly over the cocktail mix and leave in fridge for 30 minutes to allow the milk to curdle and clarify the drink.
  3. Strain with a cloth, bottle and leave in the fridge ready to pour.
  4. Pour over a large coupe glass with ice (ideally one huge cube).
  5. In a separate small vessel, make the floral oil for garnishing. Mix the canola oil, rose extract (for aroma) and a dash of red oil colourant for vibrancy.
  6. Let four drops of the floral oil float over the cocktail to add Valentine’s touch to the cocktail!

Mixologist notes:

“Fat-washing” a cocktail is a process in which the flavour and the texture of a spirit is altered by infusing it with a fatty or oily substance. Alcohol absorbs flavours, resulting in a more complex cocktail flavour experience. In this recipe, once strained, the water content of the coconut milk is removed, leaving a fantastic nutty aftertaste on your drink.

Summer Love

Description:

Summer isn‘t over! This refreshing cocktail mixes tropical flavours to achieve a mouth-watering drink to enjoy with your loved one, indoor or al-fresco.

Ingredients:

  • 20ml White Rum
  • 15ml Fino Sherry
  • 30ml Guava Juice
  • 5ml Rose Syrup
  • 20ml Aperol
  • 25ml Lemon Juice
  • 1pc Kaffir lime leaves
  • Edible flowers and rose petals to garnish

Method:

  1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
  2. Double strain the cocktail over a hi-ball glass with ice.
  3. As hi-ball glasses are quite tall, using large cubes of ice create a more impactful cocktail.
  4. Garnish by sprinkling edible flowers and rose petals on top.

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Top 5 Valentine’s Day Cocktails

Top 5 Valentine’s Day Cocktails

Top 5 Valentine’s Day Cocktails

Add a dash of romance with these quick and easy cocktail recipes.

Whether you’re treating your loved one to an idyllic, candlelit dinner or you’re handling the ‘wining and dining’ yourself, Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating your love with another, and what better way to do this than with a romantic Valentine’s Day Cocktail?

Mix up one of these effortlessly charming drinks, sink into the comfort of your favourite seat and share a romantic moment with your valentine.

Shop Mixology Rum

Rose

The Rose is a romantic twist on the classic Mojito, and is high on our Valentine’s Day Cocktail list for obvious reasons. Flower and sweet red berries combine with sharp white rum to create a refreshing cocktail that’s synonymous with romance and passion.

Method

  • In a Hi-ball glass, add 60ml of white rum, 20 ml of rose and berries syrup, 25ml of lime juice and 15ml of Crème de Framboise.
  • Add a handful of fresh raspberries and fresh mint leaves.
  • Fill two Hi-ball glasses to the rim with crushed ice and stir.
  • Top up with soda water and garnish with a mint bouquet, rose petals and 2-3 squirts of rose spray.

Shop Mixology Rum

Champagne Daiquiri

This celebratory serve is the perfect drink to toast to true love. The addition of Champagne brings sweetness to the Daiquiri’s iconic citric notes and transforms this iconic cocktail into a real love potion.

Method

  • Chill two large coupe glasses by filling them with crushed ice.
  • In a cocktail shaker add 80ml of rum, 45ml of fresh lemon juice, 45ml of simple syrup and 3 dashes of orange bitters.
  • Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes, attach the lid and shake.
  • Top up with Champagne and attach a strainer to your shaker. Empty your coupes and strain into your glasses.
  • Garnish with lemon peel.

Shop Mixology Rum

Rhubarb Hi-ball

This long, cool pink cocktail is easy to sip and even easier to create. Pairing rhubarb with sharp grapefruit, the Rhubarb Hi-ball is a sweet serve that every gin lover will appreciate.

Method

  • Chill two Hi-ball glasses filling them with crushed ice.
  • In a cocktail shaker add 90ml of gin, 30ml of rhubarb syrup, 30ml of lemon juice and 4 dashes of grapefruit bitters.
  • Fill the shaker with ice cubes, attach the lid and shake.
  • Empty the crushed ice from your glasses, attach a strainer to your shaker, and pour into your Hi-ball.
  • Top up with tonic water and garnish with a wedge of fresh pink grapefruit.

Shop Mixology Rum

Rum Negroni

A modern take on the gin-based classic, the Rum Negroni is a full-bodied and length cocktail, perfect for ending your Valentine’s Day. The sharpness of the rum creates complexity and length as you sip with your loved one and recount treasured memories.

Method

  • In a tumbler, add 25ml of Campari, 25ml of Vermouth Rosso and 50ml of aged rum.
  • Fill the tumbler with ice cubes and gently stir.
  • Garnish with a wedge of fresh orange.

Shop Mixology Rum

Strawberry and Rose Mojito

The iconic Rose makes its second appearance on this list, featuring as a key ingredient to the deliciously sweet Strawberry and Rose Mojito cocktail. Treat your loved one to this stunning combination of strawberries, rose syrup and sparkling wine to top off an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.

Method

  • In a hi-ball glass, add 50ml of white rum, 10ml of Crème de Fraise, 20ml of lime juice, 7ml of rose syrup and a handful of mint leaves.
  • Fill with crushed ice and stir.
  • Top up with sparkling wine and garnish with a mint bouquet and strawberry halves.

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Make the Moment one to remember this Mother’s Day

Make the Moment one to remember this Mother’s Day

Make the Moment one to remember this Mother’s Day

Your mum is very special so make sure you let her know just how much you love her by choosing the perfect present. Explore our ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide full of stylish ideas, including crystal glassware and home accessories that your mum will be sure to fall in love with forever. For that extra special touch, a selection of our gifts can be engraved to create a very personal moment, making the perfect present whatever your mum’s style.

 

Spoil your Mum with new glassware pieces from the Elegance Optic collection, a contemporary range of fine crystal with a delicate and understated design, each piece exudes perfection with just the right weight and balance and is definitely a collection your mum will admire for years to come.

Elegance Optic Classic Champagne Flute Pair

Elegance Optic Cabernet Sauvignon Pair

Elegance Optic Champagne Belle Coupe Pair

Elegance Optic Tumbler Pair

For something extra thoughtful this year, choose something from our range of iconic crystal gifts that look beautiful and will make a statement on any dressing or bedside table. From an elegant photograph frame, to a table clock or delicate ring holder, you will be spoilt for choice for spoiling mum.

Giftology Lismore Square Ringholder

Lismore Clock

Giftology Heart Box

Lismore Small Round Frame

Make your mum’s day with stylish pieces from the Giftology collection, inspired by Waterford’s Irish heritage and craftsmanship, the range includes some of our most loved and collectable designs. Each piece is available in an eye-catching colourful gift box, making this a pretty and sophisticated present idea for your mum.

Giftology Sugar Bud Vase

Giftology Lismore Candy Bud Vase 15cm

Giftology Lismore Honey Bud Vase 14cm

Giftology Lismore Vase 15cm

Treat your mum to a gift from our popular Ardan collection. These beautiful crystal pieces are designed to be used and enjoyed every day as well as for more formal occasions.  Dishwasher safe and totally versatile, we’ve thought of everything and we are certain your mum will have years of enjoyment using the glasses every day.

Ardan Enis Tumbler Pair

Ardan Mara Hi Ball Pair

Ardan Mara Flute Pair

Ardan Tonn Wine Pair

Classic Cocktails for a timeless man this Father’s Day

Classic Cocktails for a timeless man this Father’s Day

CLASSIC COCKTAILS FOR A TIMELESS MAN
WITH JEAN-FELIX OF TRUFFLES ON THE ROCKS

It will soon be that time of the year again when we celebrate the special man in our lives. Because some father’s are old fashioned, while others are new school, I thought I could do a parallel with classic cocktails and modern cocktails to give you some ideas for your libation, on that special date to celebrate Dad.

Because many men are known for being conservative, let’s start with two great, old classic cocktails. They’re classic for a reason, right? Because they’re amazing!

Vieux Carré

The Vieux Carré is an old classic cocktail that will please Manhattan lovers, as well as Old Fashion fans, and maybe even the Negroni addicts. It’s bold, strong, slightly sweet and bitter. It is served on the rocks and in my opinion, tastes even better when served in a beautiful crystal tumbler.

INGREDIENTS

 

1oz Cognac
1oz Rye Whiskey
¾oz Sweet Vermouth
1 Bar spoon Benedictine
2 Dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
2 Dashes Angostura bitters

METHOD

 

1. Pour all ingredients in a mixing glass.
2. Fill with ice and stir until cold
3. Strain over fresh ice in a glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon zest.

Sazerac

The Sazerac now, is for the dads out there who like their drinks short, strong and flavourful. Spirit driven with a little herbal flavour kick, this classic twist on the Old Fashioned will make your old school daddy happy every time. Fun Fact, both Vieux Carré and Sazerac were created in New Orleans!

 

INGREDIENTS

1oz Rye Whiskey
¼ oz Simple Syrup
1 Bar spoon Benedictine
2 Dashes Peychaud bitters
2 Bar spoons of Absinth (one to rinse the glass)

METHOD

1. Pour all ingredients (except for that reserved absinth bar spoon)
in a mixing glass
2. Fill with ice and stir for about 15 seconds.
3. Strain your cocktail in the rinsed glass.
4. Express a lemon zest on top and discard the zest.

Sour In A Fresh Suit

Now if your dad is the kind of man who always wears the same suit but goes crazy with his socks selection, maybe you should stick to a classic, with just a little twist. If you don’t already know, be discreet and ask him what his favourite cocktail is. Start from there and change a little something. For example, if he likes an Old Fashioned, why not infuse simple syrup with spices, or use Mezcal instead of Bourbon…just a little something to customize his favourite sipper.

Here’s an idea to play with one of my favourite cocktails, the Whiskey Sour. Let’s call it the “Sour In A Fresh Suit.”

 

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Bourbon
¾ oz Fresh lemon juice
¾ oz Mint tea syrup *
½ oz Benedictine
1 Egg white

METHOD

1. Pour all the ingredients in a shaker and shake without ice. It will emulsify the egg white and will give a great texture to your cocktail.
2. Add ice and shake again.
3. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel

*Mint tea syrup – Infuse 3 pouches of mint tea in 1 cup of hot water for 2 minutes. Take the pouches out and squeeze the liquid out. Add 1 cup of sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Bottle up and store in the refrigerator.

 

Smoking Dad

My last suggestion is for the brave ones out there! Or for those who really want to go the extra mile. It will require a few extra steps but if your dad is the one who has everything, tried everything or is amazed by the unknown … this is the cocktail you will want to make for him.

Smoking a cocktail always has that WOW factor but it can also taste like you’re sipping on an ashtray. Moderation is the key if you want to add deliciousness to your cocktail.

 

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Vodka Ketel One
¼ oz Lagavulin Scotch
½ oz Amaro Averna
5 ml Fernet Branca
2 Dashes Bittered Sling Cascade Celery Bitters
¾ oz Chilled water

METHOD

1. Pour all ingredients in a shaker tin.
2. This is a room temperature cocktail so without ice, throw the liquid 5 times from one tin of shakers to another. You want to aerate and mix the cocktail, not chill it.
3. Pour in a tumbler glass.
4. Place the glass under a smoking dome and using a smoke gun, fill with hickory wood smoke.
5. Leave it covered for 15 seconds and serve.

I hope this has given you some good ideas to celebrate Father’s Day. Cheers guys!

Jean-Felix

https://trufflesontherocks.com/

Style Your Everyday With Ardan

Style Your Everyday With Ardan

STYLE YOUR EVERYDAY WITH ARDAN

Inspired by the rugged landscape of Ireland’s west coast, the Ardan collection of barware, stemware and gifts includes two exciting patterns – Enis and Mara – designed for everyday moments and special occasions.

Taken from the Irish word meaning ‘high aspiration’ the Ardan collection’s design is modern, completely versatile with functionality in mind and completely Waterford in spirit. Featuring impeccable attention to detail with deep vertical crystal cuttings that reflect the crest and troughs of the waves on the Atlantic coastline and Irish Blasket Islands, the two patterns are truly unique.

To style with Ardan glassware, mix and match both patterns on your table or home bar to capture the power and beauty of Ireland’s natural elements, in your own home.

CLASSIC COCKTAILS FOR EVERY DAY MOMENTS

Refreshing weekends, brunch with friends or every day moments, all call for invigorating drinks you can easily recreate at home. Using simple ingredients like fresh juices from the fridge and citrus fruits, pair with spirits to create classic cocktails.

From the orange juice-based Tequila Sunrise (great for brunch) to a crisp Mojito with mint and soda, try these recipes and style with the Ardan collection for special every day moments.

THE GO-TO BRUNCH COCKTAIL: TEQUILA SUNRISE

Start the day with a deliciously fruity cocktail, layered with orange juice and a little grenadine. The orange juice helps hydrate your body and provides an easy go-to brunch cocktail with friends. Featuring the Ardan Collection Mara Hi Ball.

THE SIMPLE AND BALANCED APERITIF: NEGRONI

One of the most famous Italian cocktails in the world, the Negroni is both simple and balanced, perfect as a light aperitif before dinner. Featuring the Ardan Collection Mara Tumbler.

THE REFRESHING WEEKEND CHOICE: MOJITO

The mint and soda in this classic Cuban Mojito makes for a refreshing cocktail and is a great choice for cooling down and relaxing with friends on the weekend. Featuring the Ardan Collection Mara Hi Ball.

THE CELEBRATION FIZZ: CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

New year, new celebrations. Toast those special moments in style with this classic French Champagne Cocktail. Featuring the Ardan Collection Mara Champagne Flutes.

SHOP THE COLLECTION

DISCOVER ICONIC IRISH LIVING

For more inspiration behind each collection, barware tips and recipes, find articles on our Waterford Journal page, follow our social channels and sign up to our newsletter.

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