Seasonal sips to get you through Melbourne’s coldest months
As winter tightens its grip on Melbourne, there’s no better time to indulge in a cosy evening drink — and at Gertrude Grocer, we’ve got all the seasonal fruits, herbs, spices and gourmet garnishes you need to shake (or stir) something truly special.
Whether you’re entertaining friends or winding down by the fire, these creative cocktail recipes use our premium ingredients and fresh produce to bring warmth and brightness to the winter chill. While we don’t sell alcohol, we’ll tell you exactly what to pair our ingredients with — and where to find your favourite spirits locally.
What’s In Season & Perfect for Cocktails?
Winter in Victoria is brimming with vibrant, flavour-packed produce — ideal for drinks that are zesty, spiced or herbaceous.
At Gertrude Grocer, we currently stock:
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Citrus: mandarins, blood oranges, lemons, limes
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Rhubarb
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Pears and apples
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Fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme, mint
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Whole spices: cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamom pods, cloves
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Local honeys & artisan cordials
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Specialty bitters, mixers & garnishes
Featured Recipes: Warm Up Your Winter Bar Cart
1. Spiced Mandarin Hot Toddy
A comforting twist on a classic winter warmer.
You’ll need:
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Fresh mandarin juice (from our current citrus range)
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Lemon juice
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Honey
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Cloves and cinnamon
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Your choice of whisky or dark rum
To make:
Simmer juice, honey, and spices until fragrant. Add your spirit of choice and pour into a heatproof glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and slice of mandarin.
2. Blood Orange & Thyme Gin Fizz
Fresh, citrusy, and elegant with a herbaceous twist.
You’ll need:
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Fresh blood orange juice
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Thyme sprigs
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Simple syrup (or local honey syrup)
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Dry gin
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Soda water
To make:
Muddle thyme with syrup, add juice and gin, shake with ice, strain into a glass and top with soda. Garnish with blood orange slice and a thyme sprig.
3. Pear & Cardamom White Negroni
Silky and aromatic — a sophisticated winter update.
You’ll need:
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Pear juice (blend or muddle fresh pears)
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White vermouth
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Dry gin
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A few crushed cardamom pods
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Dash of orange bitters
To make:
Muddle cardamom with pear juice, shake with gin and vermouth, strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a pear fan or dried citrus.
4. Rhubarb Shrub Spritz (Non-alcoholic or with vodka)
Bright, tart, and beautifully pink.
You’ll need:
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Fresh rhubarb
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Apple cider vinegar
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Sugar
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Sparkling water or vodka
To make:
Create a rhubarb shrub by simmering chopped rhubarb with sugar and vinegar. Chill and strain. Serve with sparkling water or vodka over ice. Garnish with mint and a rhubarb ribbon.
5. Lemon & Rosemary Winter Margarita
Earthy, zesty, and dangerously good.
You’ll need:
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Fresh lemon juice
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Agave syrup or local honey
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Rosemary sprigs
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Tequila (or mezcal for smokiness)
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Salt for rimming
To make:
Shake juice, rosemary syrup, and tequila with ice. Rim your glass with rosemary salt and serve over fresh ice. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Everything But the Booze
While we don’t stock alcohol (yet), we do stock:
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Fresh citrus & herbs
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Artisan honey & syrups
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Cocktail garnishes & spices
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Bitters, cordials and mixers
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Dried citrus wheels, cinnamon quills, and edible flowers
Make It a Winter Ritual
Winter cocktails don’t have to be fussy — they just need flavour. Use what’s in season, keep your bar simple, and let our grocer ingredients do the heavy lifting. Whether you’re sipping a spiced toddy or stirring a citrusy gin fizz, Gertrude Grocer has what you need to toast the season right.
📍 Visit us in-store or Click & Collect.