Fancy cocktails in Te Anau after a long, fun-filled day exploring Fiordland? There’s certainly no shortage of options. Whether you seek something as refreshing as the cascading waterfalls of Milford Sound, as edgy as the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound, or as unique as the glowworm caves in Te Anau, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
If you need a helping hand deciding before heading to the bars in Te Anau, you can learn about some of the most popular cocktails below.
Raspberry Tom Collins
A Raspberry Tom Collins blends gin, lime, and raspberry, topped off with refreshing sparkling water. If you’ve been out on a day hike on a warm day and want something that cools you down, a Raspberry Tom Collins would likely tick all the right boxes.
This modern, fruity drink is a twist on the more traditional Tom Collins, of which there are several stories floating around regarding its creation. One theory is that the traditional Tom Collins was an ancestor of the drink ‘John Collins’, which was a London gin punch named after a head waiter at Limmer’s Old House, a long-standing hotel and coffee house in Mayfair, London.
Over time, the drink evolved into the Raspberry Tom Collins, with bartenders swapping out the base spirit for vodka or rum, and adding fresh fruit like raspberries and lemon.
Granny Smith
If you love biting into a fresh, crisp Granny Smith apple, you’ll probably enjoy a cocktail named Granny Smith. As expected, it’s a refreshing cocktail featuring a hit of sour apple with a bright, tart kick! If you’re just venturing back into civilisation after a walk or a day exploring the wilderness in Fiordland, it’s a drink you’ll want to ask your local bartender about.
Chillery Margarita
You don’t need to order a curry to experience a spicy kick. A Chillery Margarita is a great beverage option for anyone seeking a bit of a jolt on the palate! As a spicy spin on a margarita, the Chillery Margarita features house-infused chilli tequila with Triple Sec and a splash of lime juice.
This cocktail is a fun variation on a traditional margarita, believed to be an adaptation of a beverage called Daisy. Daisy was a popular Prohibition-era drink consisting of a base spirit, citrus, and orange cordial. Margarita is the Spanish word for daisy!
So, who brought the heat? Well, spicy chilli margaritas like the Chillery Margarita, with spicy elements like hot sauces, jalapeños, and chilli peppers, are a modern twist from the late 20th and early 21st century. Mixologists also started getting creative with salty, sweet, and sour components to balance the heat of the peppers.
Smoky Old Fashioned
If you’re looking for a more classic cocktail with something a little different, ask your local bar in Te Anau about the Smoky Old Fashioned. It’s a classic whiskey cocktail with Jim Beam Bourbon used as the base spirit, but a smoker lid is used to add a little bit of smokiness – hence the name.
This cocktail is a modern twist on the classic 19th-century cocktail consisting of a base spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. The Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, popularised the recipe. During the Prohibition era, bartenders added muddled fruit, which is pressed or crushed fresh fruit, to hide the taste of the poor-quality alcohol. Of course, that’s no longer an issue today!
Tokyo Iced Tea
Whether you’re winding down after hiking the Kepler Track or want to enjoy a sweet, refreshing beverage on an unusually warm spring day, learn more about the Tokyo Iced Tea cocktail. Considered a smooth, globe-trotting classic, this cocktail consists of your favourite spirits with a nice hint of citrus.
Despite its name, this cocktail wasn’t actually invented in Japan and doesn’t have any traditional ties to Japanese culture. Instead, the ‘Tokyo’ part of its name comes from the most common ingredient: Midori. Midori is a green melon liqueur produced by Japanese company Suntory.
While Tokyo Iced Tea is kind of similar to a traditional Long Island, with equal parts vodka, gin, light rum, and tequila, plus triple sec and a splash of cola, it replaces the triple sec and cola with Midori and a lemon-lime fizzy drink.
How to Pick a Cocktail You’ll Like
You see all these fancy-sounding cocktails on a menu, and it’s hard to make a decision! If you want to improve your chances of picking a cocktail that aligns with your preferences and taste buds, these tips may help:
1. Consider your preferred alcohol base: Choose a spirit you like, such as a light or clean vodka or gin, an earthy or sweet tequila or rum, or a bold and rich whiskey. The base spirit sets the scene for the entire cocktail.
2. Choose a flavour profile: Think about your preferences. Some people like sour and refreshing drinks that have a tart or crisp note, while others like bitter and complex flavours. You may even be someone who likes strong and spirit-forward cocktails or something a little sweet and fruity!
3. Ask the bartender: wherever you’re ordering cocktails in Te Anau – ask your bartender for their advice or recommendation. Tell them the flavours you like, and they’re bound to recommend a suitable cocktail.
Learn More About Cocktails in Te Anau at The Fat Duck
The Fat Duck isn’t just known for delicious food; we’ve also earned a reputation for great cocktails. Whether you know what you look or need a recommendation, join us for a meal and let’s chat about the options!
