QT Newcastle Latest Creation: The 2024 Lovedale Smash, a Homage to Early Cocktail Culture

Saturday, February 24, 2024

In a harmonious fusion of flavors, QT Newcastle has joined forces with Mount Pleasant Vineyard and Earp Distilling Co. to unveil the 2024 Lovedale Smash, a cocktail that captures the essence of the Hunter region and introduces it to select bars in Newcastle.

Drawing inspiration from Australia’s premier Sémillon vineyard, 100 kilograms of the acclaimed 2024 Sémillon grapes from Mount Pleasant have been chosen to skip fermentation and go straight into the cocktail shaker. QT’s Rooftop Venue Manager, Dave Watkins, has crafted an exclusive and timeless cocktail recipe that blends the fresh Sémillon juice with Earp’s No. 8 Dry Gin to create a perfectly balanced drink for the summer season, available until March 12. Adrian Sparks, General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Mount Pleasant, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration and the potential it has to spotlight the Newcastle and Hunter area, mentioning ongoing discussions about expanding the ‘smash’ concept to include red grape varieties.

Celebrating local craftsmanship and nodding to the early days of cocktail culture, the 2024 Lovedale Smash is inspired by Jerry Thomas’ 1862 seminal work, ‘How to Mix Drinks’, which featured a straightforward mix of spirit, sugar, and grapes. The choice to use Earp Distilling Co.’s No. 8 Dry Gin was deemed an obvious fit by Watkins, who commends the gin for its comprehensive and invigorating flavor profile. Echoing this sentiment, Mitch Luke, Venue Manager at Earp Distillery, notes that the Sémillon juice’s sweetness and slight acidity perfectly complement the gin’s spicy notes, resulting in a beautifully balanced drink.

The 2024 Lovedale Smash, priced at $14, is now available at both QT Newcastle and Earp Distilling Co. until March 12, 2024. For every purchase, $4 will be donated to the Pokolbin Rural Fire Brigade in support of their invaluable service.

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