On Monday 7 April, Australia’s biggest international cocktail event, Maybe Cocktail Festival, kicked off a week of celebrations with four events at leading bars across Sydney.
The first bar takeover of the festival was a guest shift by the team from Mirror Bar, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Mirror Bar’s Senior Bartender Evica Domonji and Global Bar Brand Ambassador Stanislav Harciník were hosted by Maybe Sammy, where they delivered a menu of three mezcal-based cocktails in which Lost Explorer Mezcal was the star of the show.
The first up on the menu was The Lux featuring The Lost Explorer Tobala complimented by Fino Sherry, Paragon Rue Berry, passionfruit, citrus stock water and topped off with Champagne.
Served as a classic highball the Explorer’s fizz was made with The Lost Explorer Salmiana, mango mead aquavit, smrkáč and citrus stock water.
Finally, inspired by party boy Elton John and fittingly named Elton’s Cosmopolitan, the cocktail showcased The Lost Explorer Espadin, lacto-fermented berry, clear apple juice, Paragon Timur Berry and citrus juice and was delivered to the table with a salted pill and rose-coloured glasses.
Next, all the way from Barcelona, the team behind Paradiso Bar – number 10 in the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2024 – made a guest appearance at El Primo Sanchez.
Espolon Reposado Tequila took centre stage in both the Revival Negroni made with Campari, mushroom, chocolate, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth and dashi and the Fro Zen made from Aperol, celery leaf, mandarin juice and timur pepper cordial.
While the Atlantide featured Skyy Vodka, Bulldog Gin, tomato water, marine cordial, Cinzano Secco Vermouth, olives, clarified bergamot and salt, topped with an edible gold coin.
The festival will continue until 13 April 2025, delivering 25 events over seven days with a lineup of world-class bartenders from 20 international venues, hosted by more of Sydney’s best including Whisky Thief, Dean & Nancy on 22, Little Cooler and Hacienda.
This year’s lineup not only offers a snapshot of some of the best bar scenes in the world but is also the most female-led line up in the festival’s history.
Festival director Stefano Catino said this year’s lineup is the biggest and most diverse yet.
“In its third year, Maybe Cocktail festival has become a must-attend event for cocktail lovers and I’m incredibly proud that so many of the world’s best bars are eager to be a part of it. These bartenders aren’t just flying in to make drinks – they’re showcasing their expertise, creativity and unique hospitality that has made their bars world-renowned.
“It’s especially exciting to welcome such an impressive line up of female bartenders this year, shining a spotlight on some of the most talented women in the industry from across the world,” he said.
