Thirsty Thursdays just got a whole lot tastier with a slew of freaking delicious cocktails on offer this month. Even better, we’ve got the inside scoop on how you can score a tipple on the house.
So how does it work? After running a nationwide comp tasking Australia’s best mixologists to breathe new life into long-forgotten cocktails, Espolón Tequila has selected 25 of the most elevated cocktails around the country to become a menu staple for this month only. Your job? Head to your fave bar (don’t worry we’ve curated the ultimate list for you), and sip your way through the winners.
And because the crew at Espolón are such legends, if you purchase one of their cocktails during ‘Golden Hour’ on a Thursday (ranging from 4-6pm and 6-8pm, depending on the venue), they’ll shout you a second cocktail for free.
With an Espolón cocktail for every type of sipper, we’ve rounded them up into one concise list, so all you have to do is gather your crew and hit up these epic bars.
Where to sip in your state
New South Wales
If you’re looking for one of the best bars in Sydney—then we all know you should be making tracks directly to Maybe Sammy, where their uber-talented bartenders turn the art of cocktail making into a show. Their Golden Hour Maestro’s Pearl cocktail is a sip you won’t soon forget.
Kick on next door to Sicilian bar Apollonia, set in the basement of an old wool store. The vibes are always immaculate here, with not one but two Golden Hour tipples to try—Daemon and Azure Memoria.
Created to perfectly accompany any social outing, sip The Sweet Embrace (Espolón Reposado, Piña Horchata and spiced pineapple agave) at Now and Then.
Over at Kuro Bar and Dining, order your crew a round of Bonito Bonito cocktails and thank us later. Drawing inspiration from a Japanese cocktail called Straw Hat with tequila and tomato juice, this modern update is a tasty blend of Espolón Blanco infused with dried bonito flakes, tomato acid, yuzu pepper, egg white, green tea honey and topped with tomato jelly.
Wash Méjico’s lobster tail tacos down with their epic Golden Hour offering, Max’s End—a silky mix of Espolón Reposado, absinthe, raspberry grenadine, apple bitters, grapefruit and lime juice.
Round out your Thursday sip sesh at El Primo Sanchez. The Paddington speakeasy was named tequila bar of the year, so you know it’s the real deal. Case in point? The Spur Reviver, created by the uber-talented Járah Retana. Fresh and zingy, it combines Espolón Blanco, marigold, and homemade mandarin sorbet.
Victoria
Inspired by Sunday feasts at her nonno’s, Lui Bar’s mixology queen Elisabetta Luppi has breathed new life into the Venetian “Sgroppino”. Her Golden Hour Nonno Mario is a blend of Espolón Blanco, kaffir Verjuice, yuzu, vanilla, roast corn husk and salted corn ice cream. Still thirsty? Order The Gruber and sip while soaking up the epic level 55 views over the city.
Finally reopening their doors after several months of repairs, Fitzroy institution the Black Pearl is back with a banging new cocktail menu, featuring not one but two competition cocktails—Homebound and Crusta Rhymes, the Rebellion.
Northern Territory
The epitome of a perfectly balmy Darwin day in a glass, the Summer Cup Siete is an 11/10. Crafted by expert mixologist Anneliese Grazioli of the Hanky Panky Lounge, the Espolón Reposado, salted lemon myrtle, honey, ginger and grapefruit cocktail (complete with a sous vide strawberry leaf Aperol float) is the ultimate Golden Hour sip.
Over at Charlie’s Of Darwin, sink into a Chesterfield and order the Ramona Tingle. The oh-so-pretty cocktail blends Espolón Blanco, mixed berries shrub, salted pineapple, lime juice and milk, with a mixed berry and crushed Szechuan pepper foam and rainbow confetti sprinkle. It’s almost too pretty to drink… almost.
Queensland
There’s no better spot to celebrate Friday eve in Queensland’s capital than buzzing Fish Lane, where you’ll find not one, but two award-winning bars shaking up magical libations.
Looking like something straight out of Europe, Bar Brutus is an achingly cool spot slinging equally chic cocktails and share plates. Their Golden Hour cocktail, Maria Pickford, is a twist on the iconic prohibition-style tipple.
Just a few steps away you’ll find Maker. The 18-seat bar is always vibing, and trust us, their El Regreso cocktail is a must-try.
Time travel back to the speakeasy era at Mooloolaba’s Boston Shaker Bar. Slip into plush banquette seating in the intimate, moodily lit space and enjoy a Sempre Viva, crafted by head bartender Thomas Svensson—one of the Sunshine Coast’s very best.
South Australia
As the eight-time winner of SA’s cocktail bar of the year, Maybe Mae is a no-brainer when it comes to choosing where to celebrate Golden Hour. Crafted by Elisa Rodrigues, the Puentes (Espolón, smoked Palo Santo sherry, spiced citrus oleo-saccharum and marigold tea), was inspired by Dia de los Muertos.
Tucked away down a city lane in Adelaide, Trap is a 15-seat underground bar that blends elite cocktails with hip-hop open mic nights. Edgy and oh-so-cool, their competition offering, the New Jalisco Knickerbocker—a lush blend of Espolón, Grand Marnier, tepache, raspberry agua fresca, salted pineapple and Sal De Gusano Hard Candy—is a must-sip.
Cocktails with a side of debauchery can be found at Nineteen Ten, a rooftop jazz bar. Think fire-breathing dancers, live tunes and sword swallowers while sipping a Golden Hour Vida Neuva cocktail—a mix of Espolón Reposado, mezcal, Campari, quince, bergamot, white pepper and shiraz.
Western Australia
Tucked away in the basement of The Heritage’s beautiful building, Bobèche oozes old-world charm but serves up modern tipples. The Casa Club (Espolón, cacao, mango, orange, chamomile, bay leaf and honey) is inspired by the Racquet Club martini, created in the pre-prohibition era and made to be enjoyed in the clubhouse after a day of tennis.
For more info on how to enjoy the best in tequila during Golden Hour this August, visit here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Espolón Tequila and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Urban List, Sam Bygrave.
Video credit: Sam Bygrave, Boothby.