Twice the fun

It probably wasn’t the most sensible idea mid-week, but I took my mate Mel as my plus one to a double-header last night: the launches of Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice and Disaronno Wears Diesel.

The first event kicked off at the Paddo Inn at 6pm and featured a small batch, limited-edition gin by Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie.

“The result is an enchantingly floral gin that blossoms on the palate in a rare union of lightness and complexity – unmistakably Hendrick’s gin, but with an alluring floral pop,” the brand said.

The Paddo Inn looked glorious, filled with flowers and dapper gents with fancy facial hair.

The invitation noted: “Let’s raise a Midsummer Solstice Spritz together and celebrate this blissfully unusual creation.”

So we did. Actually we raised two. They were quite delicious. Although I was probably slightly more excited by the divine food, which included tiny little bangers on little dollops of mash on spoons. Inspired!

We also had a lovely chat to the master of ceremonies, an actor who’d flown up from Melbourne to be eloquent and entertaining. He told us he usually teaches Macbeth to eight year olds.

Yes, really. He admitted he’s found Macbeth pretty heavy going for eight year olds (duh), so he might try A Midsummer’s Night Dream next school holidays.

We also ran into an old mag mate of mine on the way out. Seb was the editor of NZ Woman’s Day for many years, but is back in Oz editing NW. Lovely bloke. Obligingly took lots of selfies of Mel and I.

Then we jumped into a cab to a Disaronno event, which was down the road at Bar M in Rushcutters Bay. It kicked off at 7pm, but we skidded in just before 8pm.

It had a totally different vibe to the first function, very young and night-clubby, in a warehouse-style space. A live band was playing, lots of jeans were hanging from the ceiling and gymnasts were swinging from the rafters on hoops.

Disaronno is an amaretto liqueur made in Italy. Its maker maintains its original “secret formula” is unchanged since 1525.

The party was to celebrate the liqueur collaborating with fashion house Diesel to release a limited edition bottle.

I’m not entirely sure almond liqueur is my favourite, though it comes in a very stylish bottle and would twiddle your knobs if you’re into marzipan. So I went up to the bar after sipping a Disaronno Sour and asked for a glass of wine. The lovely Italian waiter informed me that wine wasn’t available, he only had Verve Cliquot.

Verve was totally fine, thank you very much.

We didn’t know anyone at the Disaronno launch, so we enjoyed the vibe for a while, grooved to the music, people watched and nibbled on arancini before hailing another cab and heading home at the ungodly hour of 8.45pm.

Here are some happy snaps: