Australia Day – 26th January – is Australia’s national day. It’s the date when Captain Cook and the First Fleet finally landed at Port Jackson – now better known as Sydney Harbour. It was a Saturday.
These days Australia Day is when national awards are given, citizenship ceremonies are held (though mine was in May – not bitter or anything) and friends get together for a bit of a party.
Pubs are bustling, parks are full of picnics and makeshift cricket stumps, and the beaches are chock full of browning bodies.
In true Aussie tradition – and in line with our own personal agenda – here are our three favourite Aussie cocktails you can make at home to celebrate the day of Green and Gold:
3 Australia Day cocktails
The Aussie Sailor
This is a beer-based cocktail, which I reckon is about as Aussie as you can get. At first I wasn’t sure about mixing beer with spirits – it was one of the rules my dad always warned me against. But this really works.
The Aussie Sailor is refreshing and full of flavour – perfect for a hot Aussie Day.
Aussie Spiced Rum Sour
This cocktail is one of my absolute favourites. It’s very simple to make and uses the very Australian and very tasty Dead Man’s Drop black spiced rum. The rum’s made in Bathurst, NSW and is Australia’s black spiced rum.
The dark rum, the spices and the chocolate bitters are lifted by the sour of the lemon juice in this cocktail, making it surprisingly light and very easy to drink.
Here’s how to make your own Spiced Rum Sour.
Aussie Dark and Stormy
The Dark and Stormy is a classic cocktail you’ll find on most drinks lists. But we’ve changed a few elements to make it 100% Australian and – I believe – even better than the original.
We’ve used an excellent Aussie rum made in far north Queensland, a spiced syrup made from Australian bush berries and a true blue cider to top it off instead of ginger beer.
It’s fizzy, fruity and would make a great rum punch for your Australia Day party.
And if you’re on a New Year’s detox, you’ll be able to find a few non-alcoholic things to do here this January 26th.
Whatever you get up to this Australia Day, have fun, love life and remember – you’ve got work in the morning!
What are your plans for this Australia Day? Do you have a favourite tipple to celebrate January 26th? Tell us in the comments!
Melissa @ All Around Oz
These sound very intoxicating especially the Dead Man’s Drop. I will have to check out the Stone Pine Distillery next time we are in Bathurst.
Mr Romance
Yes, Melissa! That spiced rum is excellent. Quite different from other mainstream spiced rums I’ve tried. You should definitely get over the Stone Pine. Give Ian a call when you want to drop by though. It’s only him running the joint. Send our regards as and when you go! 🙂
Jxx