Event: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2024
Ori-gin story:the garden in your glass
Take a journey through distilling and botanicals at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne with Anther Distillery and The Curious Cabinet at Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
WHEN: Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 March 6-8pm
WHERE: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Birdwood Avenue
Are you a fan of botanicals and the art of crafting intriguing beverages? If so, we have the perfect event for you! As part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is hosting a unique and immersive experience where you can indulge in the finest drinks featuring the botanical creations of Anther Distillery and The Curious Cabinet. Whilst strolling through the gardens, you will embark on a journey, understanding how nature inspired these creators to discover the botanical world of flavour, and unlock the garden in your glass…
ABOUT THE COLLABORATIONS
Geelong based small businesses, Anther Distillery and The Curious Cabinet, have a shared passion for curiosity, creativity, and flavour innovation. Both have had the pleasure of collaborating with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, to create products that showcase their flare for creating intriguing flavours with beautiful botanics foraged from the Gardens. These collaborations also help raise money to support the continued conservation and research efforts at the Gardens.
The range of products include:
what to expect
As you wander through the enchanting Gardens, immerse yourself in the captivating stories of how these products, and their visionary creators, were inspired by the flavours at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Prepare to tantalise your taste buds by indulging in two cocktails/mocktails, expertly crafted by these creators, featuring their botanic inspired products.
Alongside Anther Distillery’s Dr Derv McGowan and The Curious Cabinet’s founder Pia Cook, Gardens plant specialist and Kitchen Garden Curator Jenni Bell, from RBGV will be there to guide you through the unique botanics that have inspired these exceptional collaborations. Learn about the origins of each ingredient, and how they found their way into the Gardens.
the flavours of anther distillery
One of the highlights of this event is the opportunity to taste the exquisite creations from Anther Distillery. Led by Dr Derv McGowan, and cocktail extraordinaire Sebastian Reaburn, Anther Distillery is known for championing Australian ingredients in their tasty gins distilled by methods that harness both creativity and science. During the event, you'll have the chance to taste Anther's Florescence Gin in unique cocktails that showcases the diversity of flavours found in the Royal Botanic Gardens. From native Australian plants such as Tasmannia xerophila (Apline Pepper), Kunzea parvifolia, and (Violet Kunzea), each ingredient’s story adds depth to the gin and is a testimony to the artistic science of flavour that Anther capture in every bottle.
exploring the curious cabinet’s creations
In addition, you will be inspired by founder of The Curious Cabinet, Pia Cook, artful mastermind behind alcohol-free drinks created with the intention of making one feel like they have discovered something truly remarkable. Bringing a modern take on a popular past time, Pia’s Shrub Syrups are inspired by an old world recipe that combine sugar, fruit, and apple-cider vinegar for a tantalising flavour that is tart and sweet. Pia’s curious creations capture the essence of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, which you’ll be given the chance to experience in an intriguing range of mocktails. From vibrant notes of Lemon Myrtle, to earthy undertones such as Bay Laurel, each sip will transport you to a delicious intersection of flavour and botanical wonder, allowing you to unlock your curiosity and be inspired by a truly innovative way to experience alcohol-free.
