News reaches us via Stuff that the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is about to start flogging jars of jam as part of her as yet unrealised lifestyle empire. We know this because various friends of Meghan have been posting pics on their social media accounts. The...
Drinks
Scapegrace Distilling Co. Offer ‘The Best Job In The World’
The best whisky distilling job in the world is up for grabs *This news was first published at More Good Drinks, our sister publication for drinks industry news Scapegrace Distilling Co has begun an international search to recruit for an exciting new role which it’s...
“It tastes like all the bad decisions you’ve made in your life inside of a can”: White Claw is on its way to Aotearoa
The people are excited. The people are very excited. Or at least that's what DB Breweries Senior Marketing Manager, Cormac van den Hoofdakker would have you believe. And what are you so excited about? You, my basic friend, are excited about the launch of White Claw in...
How climate change could affect the microbes that ferment grapes and give wine its specific flavours
The far-reaching consequences of climate change inevitably include the production of foods and beverages, including wine. In New Zealand, winemaking is an important business, with exports worth more than NZ$2 billion per year. Earlier studies have already suggested...
Meet me in Milano: Stolen cherries and a kiss at aperitivo hour.
Recipe and Image by Tash McGill As a lover of Old Tom style gin and vermouth - Coromandel Mānuka Gin inspires me with lush honeyed notes and a powerful, moreish botanical complexity of oranges and vanilla, the semi-sweet aromatic. The last of summer cherries and...
Blue Duck Vodka And Eastern Whio Link unite for Whio Awareness Month
Blue Duck Vodka, the iconic New Zealand vodka brand, is proud to announce its commitment to Whio Awareness Month, taking place throughout March 2024. In collaboration with the Eastern Whio Link conservation programme, Blue Duck Vodka aims to raise awareness about the...
The nation’s top love libations
Hot from Instagram, our quirky Best-of the cocktails and libations being slung and swung for Lovers Day. We recommend salting your rim as we feasted with our eyes only and didn't taste a damn one. It’s Valentine’s Day and later tonight, some people will be the winners...
Marseglia’s masterclass in sustainability leads to global finals
Heard of Andrea Marseglia? Of course you have. He’s one of the leading voices for sustainability in New Zealand and globally. He is the master and the masterclass, when you lean into his content and messages. He has been since he first started encouraging and sharing...
Sav making you sad? Peeved by Pinot? Try these three French varietals growing in popularity with NZ winemakers
Wander into just about any New Zealand bottle store, restaurant or supermarket and you could be forgiven for concluding that only seven grape varieties can grow on these islands: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and...
Scapegrace wins at World Whiskey Awards
New Zealand’s Scapegrace Distilling Co. is celebrating another international win at the World Whiskey Awards held overnight in London. The brand’s Ephemeral whiskey has won gold in the New Zealand Single Cask Category. Scapegrace Co-Founder Mark Neal says it’s a...
A bottle of scotch recently sold for $2.7 million – what’s behind such outrageous prices?
When a rare bottle of Scotch whisky sold for US$2.7 million in November 2023, I was stunned, but I wasn’t surprised.The whiskey market has been booming for some time.Bourbon brands like Pappy Van Winkle from Buffalo Trace distillery are selling for astronomical prices...
A nod to France as award-winning distillers unveil new aperitif.
It was the drink of the European summer and now it’s winning the hearts of New Zealanders too. Hastings Distillers’ new aperitif, Constance, is a nod to its French counterpart, Lillet – but made entirely locally, from Hawke’s Bay wine and organically grown botanicals....
Pete’s Natural Sodas Heart Kids fundraiser hits $10,000 mark
Pete’s Natural Sodas Heart Kids fundraising initiative had hit the magic $10,000 mark and the Motueka solar-powered soda company says there’s still more to come. CEO Dr Ruth Gorinski and Heart Kids NZ ambassadors at their celebration evening. “We’re not done yet,”...
Rockers rejoice – Kiwi brewery creates world first vending machine that lets users pay for their beer by slaying guitar
Wellington born brewery, Panhead Custom Ales, is treating beer and music lovers across the country to a world-first innovation. The popular beer brand has developed a vending machine that operates via electric guitar and is strictly controlled by the musical abilities...
Introducing New Zealand’s first fully recyclable refill spirits pouches
Queenstown’s multi-award-winning Broken Heart Spirits has notched up a New Zealand ‘first’ with the launch of the country’s first fully recyclable eco-refill pouches. Sustainability is at the forefront of how the company does business. Understanding how wasteful the...
‘Tis the season of Gindulgence, the original New Zealand gin festival
In the Bay of Plenty, where lush green hills meet the shimmering blue of the Pacific Ocean, a summer tradition like no other is about to unfold. As the season of long days and warm nights glimmers near and when Kiwis yearn for something refreshing and adventurous to...
Jason Momoa wants to have A Bloody Momoa with you!
Jason Momoa wants you to make him a cocktail - but not just any cocktail, a Bloody Momoa. Then he plans on drinking it with you, whether you're a home bartender or working in the trade. Bloody Mary lovers rejoice, this is the competition you’ve been waiting for! In...
Final call: Clipper’s final destination
New Zealand’s most internationally successful bar is coming in for a final landing, four years after opening its doors on Ponsonby Road, Auckland. A brief but sparkling jewel in the crown of Auckland hospitality – loved by its regulars, 22 of them at a time and...
Why we love the Negroni: iconic drink sells itself (and Campari)
Why should you love the Negroni? Well, picture this: It's the cocktail world's equivalent of a witty, mustachioed Italian philosopher with a monocle and a penchant for spontaneous haiku. It's that one eccentric aunt you describe as an acquired taste, but you can't...
Sprig + Fern master brewer marks forty years of beers
Sprig + Fern Brewing Co. are today celebrating a milestone anniversary for Owner and Master Brewer, Tracy Banner, with today marking her forty years in the brewing industry. Beginning her decorated career in England in 1983, Tracy relocated to New Zealand in 1994 and...
Cardrona Distillery finds a home with International Beverage
International Beverage acquires New Zealand’s Cardrona Distillery Leading global drinks business International Beverage has today (13th September) completed its acquisition of Cardrona Distillery, one of the country’s foremost premium spirits producers. The...