Get into the spirits of the US of A

June 17, 2022
By Ioni Doherty

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) has launched its Cheers! Spirits from the USA campaign in Australia to profile its quality distilled spirits.

The campaign is intended to connect craft brands that are not currently available in Australia, celebrate the household American spirits brands Australians already love and to support brands to grow their local presence.

DISCUS will host a range of trade and consumer events, industry collaborations, media relations and social media activations over the coming months.

Charles McEntee, Manager of Export Promotions for DISCUS says, “We are really excited to launch this campaign. Australia has been a high growth market for many US spirit brands that are currently in market, and it also presents excellent opportunities for the rest of our members. 

“Australians are naturally curious consumers, so we are looking forward to exposing US trends, introducing them to a range of new craft American spirits, as well as highlighting the quality and taste of much-loved favourites.”

As part of the campaign, Cheers! Spirits from the USA has partnered with a 22 leading Australian bartenders and invited them for their local take on classic cocktails that hero American spirits. The recipes have been captured in a Fourth of July cocktail book.

Whether it’s Dan Gregory from The Gresham putting his spin on the iconic Old Fashioned, Jack Patchett from Black Bottle Bar with his adaptation of the much-loved Whiskey Sour, or Talis Heggart from Memphis Slim’s House of Blues modernisation on the Lynchburg Lemonade, there is a recipe in this book suited to every taste.

The recipes have been created by these world-class bartenders and designed specifically for Australians to make, share and enjoy at home.

The cocktails highlight the quality and versatility of American spirit brands including Angel’s Envy, Jack Daniels, Koval, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Wild Turkey, Westland, Westward American Single Malt Whiskey and Woodford Reserve.

Download the Fourth of July 2022 cocktail book and make these unique cocktails all year round. But for one-week-only, the participating bartenders will also have them available at their venue.

To compare your favorite at home attempt from the cocktail book with the expertly crafted version, visit the below venues in the week leading up to the American holiday from Monday, 27 June – Monday, 4 July.

  • Simon Hopkins (Jolene’s Sydney, NSW) puts a chocolate spin on the classic Old Fashioned using Westward Whiskey
  • Dan Gregory (The Gresham Bar, QLD) showcases a Woodford Reserve Goin’ Out West
  • Adam Lau (Grain Bar, NSW) develops the DJ Sutherland celebrating Westland American Oak Whiskey
  • Grace Rawlins (Memphis Slim’s House of Blues, SA) uses Westland Peated Whiskey in the innovative Spicy Peat cocktail
  • Chris Garner (The Barrie, NSW) highlights Wild Turkey Bourbon in Mate of Min
  • Anna Mitchell (The 18th Amendment Bar, VIC) creates the Noble Forester heroing Old Forester Bourbon
  • Jack Patchett (Black Bottle Bar, NSW) puts a spin on the classic whiskey sour, which a KOVAL Cranberry Sour
  • Brendon Hill (Duck Duck Goose and Gellafrenda, NSW) showcases Wild Turkey in his Best of the West serve
  • Elisa Rodrigues (Paloma Wine Bar, QLD) is reinventing the classic cocktail with a Coconut Old Fashioned using Old Forester Bourbon
  • Zach Mynott (La Costa, QLD) creates a modern Russel’s Reserve 10 highball
  • Scott Allen (Nola Bar and Smokehouse, NSW) creates a Reservoir Rye Manhattan
  • Talis Heggart (Memphis Slim’s House of Blues, SA) has localised the Lynchburg Lemonade with a Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg Lowdown
  • Francesca Camili (Beneath Driver Lane, VIC) heroes Wild Turkey Rye in a Sweet Valentine
  • Paudric Kennedy (Barangaroo House, NSW) is using Makers Mark in his unique Wax Lyrical cocktail
  • Ben Walsh (Jolene’s Sydney, NSW) puts a banana spin on the Old Fashioned with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
  • Corby Small (The Gresham Bar – QLD)creates a new spin on the Brandy Alexander showcasing Angel’s Envy
  • Nat Yao (Bar Margaux – VIC) celebrates Angel’s Envy in an Australian way with her adaption of a classic
  • Chau Tran (Burrow Bar – NSW) creates a drinkable sticky date pudding showcasing Jack Daniel’s Rye
  • Subha Thapa (Frank Mac’s – NSW) showcases Koval Dry Gin in the Aussie Woodland Mule
  • Ari Abels (Doss House – NSW) localises the classic with a Banana Old Fashioned featuring Westward American Single Malt
  • Aiden Rodriquez (Eau De Vie – VIC) celebrates Angel’s Envy in his Crimson Carpet creation
  • Micheal Keogh (Memphis Slim’s House of Blues –  SA) celebrates the quality of Maker’s Mark with the Ginger Blues cocktail

Mr McEntee says, “Australia is known for having some of the most knowledgeable and innovative bartenders, so we’re looking forward to seeing how they highlight American distilled spirits in a way Australians will truly love. It’s not often world-class bartenders partner to create cocktail books that are free, so we hope adults across Australia get to enjoy it!”

To download the FREE Fourth of July 2022 Cocktail Book thanks to ‘Cheers! Spirits from the USA’ visit https://cheersspiritsfromtheusa.com/au/cocktail-book/

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program & Market Access Program (MAP).

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