Qantas wheels out a new spirits offering for winter

New Australian gins are being wheeled out and Campari will be on offer in all international cabins for the first time with Qantas unveiling a revamped spirits selection on board alongside the airline's new winter menu.

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, distilled in Healesville, will be the new standard gin pour across Qantas international first, business and premium economy cabins.

First in-flight and lounge customers will enjoy a quarterly rotation of independent Australian gins including Applewood, Brookies, Beachtree 'Quokka' Gin and the Australian Distilling Co 'Bondi' Gin.

Campari is also landing on the menu in time for the busy European summer travel period and will be available for international customers across all cabins for the first time. The aperitif will be served in premium cabins with a new selection of roasted almonds, cashews and hazelnuts.

Whisky lovers are also set to benefit from the update with Tasmania's award-winning Lark Classic Cask making its menu debut in first class, and Melbourne-based Starward Nova being served on domestic business class.

Neil Perry, Qantas's creative director of food, beverage and service, and his team of mixologists and sommeliers tasted and reviewed nearly 400 different products in designing the new spirit offering.

Executive manager of product and service Phil Capps said the new spirits selection and winter menu celebrates Australian suppliers on the global stage.

“We began planning for our new spirits selection more than 12 months ago with the intention to offer our customers a more premium choice when they fly with us," he said. "With our flights to Rome restarting and Paris taking off soon, a new aperitif is the perfect way to start or end a European summer holiday.”

Perry also designed a new winter menu to showcase seasonal produce. The menu features plant-based options across all cabins and each route has a menu inspired by the destination.

Power play for a drinks icon

Cocktail icon Campari has a new-look bottle inspired by its home town of Milan, the birthplace of the aperitivo boom.

Campari will showcase the new bottle design at the 24th Biennale of Sydney arts exhibition at White Bay Power Station.

 
The new bottle is said to "reflects the sleek, minimalist fashion and contemporary design that Milano is known for - it is a visual homage to the city, combining effortlessness and understated elegance."

Campari will join leading artists for the Biennale, which runs until June 10.

The main exhibition will be serving a range of Campari cocktails including Negroni, Campari Spritz and Campari Soda.

The event will mark the first time White Bay Power Station has been opened to the public in over 100 years.

“Since its creation, the Campari bottle has evolved alongside Milano, continuously drawing inspiration from its resourcefulness and its excitement, traits we feel are deeply bound to the spirit of our brand," says an enthusiastic Paolo Marinoni, marketing director of Campari Australia.

"We wanted to continue to pay homage to Milano through the design of the new Campari bottle and we could not be happier with the story it tells.

“We’re thrilled to showcase the new Campari design at the Biennale of Sydney alongside global artists and offer art enthusiasts a delicious refreshment.”

Campari is available at [select retailers including Dan Murphy’s, BWS, First Choice, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and selected independent retailers] for $50. For more info visit campariau.com/.

Aperol to serve up some tennis refreshment

You know summer has arrived in Australia when the tennis season opens.

And you know summer is here when all the bright young things start ordering Aperol spritzes.

The two will come together throughout the tennis season with Aperol announcing it has signed as an official partner of Tennis Australia for 2024 and the next four years.

Starting with the United Cup in late December (it sounds important but it is a glorified exhibition), through to the Brisbane International, Adelaide International, Hobart International, and finally, the Australian Open in January, Aperol has signed on the dotted line.

“We are back!' says Simon Durrant, Managing Director Australia at Campari Group. "Campari is thrilled to announce that Aperol will be bringing a slice of Italian culture to the Australian Open in 2024.

“The Australian Open is the biggest event in the Australian summer calendar, and with Aperol Spritz being the drink of the summer, this is the perfect partnership. Boasting one of the biggest sporting crowds in the nation, we’re excited to spread the Aperol joy across a terrific summer of tennis.”

Aperol will be "activating" at a number of bars on the ground at the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific. That means flogging some booze.

“We are excited to welcome the tennis fans at the Australian Open to our bespoke bar, Terrazza Aperol, to experience summer in true Italian style. In what promises to be a lot of fun for tennis fans, Aperol Spritz will also be available throughout the many bars across Melbourne Park,” said Durrant.

Here's a link: https://www.aperol.com/en-au/serve-up-summer/.