Gold Coast Food: 5 cocktails you must try this summer

FROM pavlova-inspired cocktails to candy cane-topped creations, Gold Coast bars and restaurants going over-the-top. PLUS 5 summer cocktails you must try.

You can now get a Pavlova Cocktail at Roosevelt Lounge. Photo by Richard Gosling

FROM pavlova-inspired cocktails to candy cane-topped creations, Gold Coast bars and restaurants are taking their menus up a notch with over-the-top drinks to satisfy summer crowds.

Roosevelt Lounge bar manager Breeana Erica said the festive period was peak ‘cocktail season’ with more people likely to step outside their comfort zones.

“The Christmas period is always busy and I think people are more likely to go out and try something new,” she said.

“I like to create cocktails that taste like things people have eaten before, so there’s a lot of trial and error involved with mixing flavours.

Breeana Erica with a Pavlova Cocktail at Roosevelt Lounge. Photo by Richard Gosling

FOR 5 COCKTAILS YOU’VE GOTTA TRY THIS SUMMER ... KEEP SCROLLING!

“I’ve always wanted to make a drink that tastes as good as my nan’s Christmas pavlova so this particular cocktail was like my baby for six months, I thought about it every day.

“And people are loving it, they can’t believe it tastes like the real deal."

Ms Erica said there was a new market opening up for creative cocktail connoisseurs.

“A lot of people are good at matching food and it’s the same with matching alcohol,” she said.

“It’s definitely a skill and I’m really glad to see the Gold Coast is changing ... rather than just people going out to get drunk, people are going out and actually (appreciating) what they’re drinking.

Scroll down to see where you can get these Jaffa Espresso Martinis!

”There’s a lot of buzz around the hospitality scene.”

Aris Nemis, owner of dessert and cocktail bar Cowch also created a Christmas cocktail and said he consulted his PR manager to ensure it would look “Instagram-worthy”.

“We’re thinking of calling it the ‘berry cherry’ cocktail because it’s a red cherry drink with green lime fairy floss and candy canes on top,” he said.

“It’s a really collaborative process with our mixologist when it comes to making these over-the-top cocktails. I also check with my (PR manager) to make sure they’re ‘Insta worthy’ and fit in with our brand.

“The Christmas cocktail will be available in store very soon.”

5 COCKTAILS YOU MUST TRY THIS SUMMER

HAVEN’T you heard? Aperol Spritz and Nutella Martinis are so last summer ... here are 5 of the newest cocktails added to menus across the Gold Coast, that you must try this season.

FLAMINGO SPRITZ AT SPARROW EATING HOUSE

Flamingo Spritz at Sparrow Eating House. Picture: Instagram

Found on the menu at Nobby Beach’s Sparrow Eating House, this pretty cocktail features Vodka, Procecco, Pomegranate and even acai ... which is a superfood. So it’s basically a fruit salad. Right?

ICY SPRITZ AT GARDEN KITCHEN AND BAR

Icy Spritz at Garden Bar, The Star Casino. Picture: Instagram

Perfect for those hot summer days when you’re out for day drinks, but also craving an icy pole.

UNICORN COCKTAIL AT COWCH

Unicorn Cocktail at Cowch, Pacific Fair. Picture: Instagram

Not only is this drink 10/10 Instagram-worthy, it features tanquery gin, blue curacao, lime with a rim of edible glitter and a sour strap.

JAFFA ESPRESSO MARTINI AT COMUNA CANTINA

Jaffa Espresso Martini at Comuna Cantina, Pacific Fair. Picture: Instagram

Tim tam cocktails? Been there, done that. Enter the new jaffa espresso martini aka all your favourite flavours in one.

FRUITY COCKTAIL AT LITTLE MERMAID

Fruity Cocktail at Little Mermaid. Picture: Instagram

This cocktail is totally suitable for you health conscious folks. It’s packed with mango, peach, vodka, berry purée, coconut and Malibu.