A Well Directed Drink

It's a special time of year when the Melbourne International Film Festival arrives on the city's screens. The chance to escape to another time and place via the magic of cinema is a welcome reprieve from August's crisp evenings. 

Just a short walk from many of the MIFF's iconic venues, including ACMI, The Kino, Forum and The Capitol - Apollo Inn was well poised to quench a thirst before, after or even between screenings. 
In celebration of you cinephiles, we were inspired to create four choice serves for four choice films. We thought it was a particularly delicious way to drink in the Festival, no matter what you're seeing. Our special drinks were available through the Festival, from Thursday 7 August to Sunday 24 August.

ONE MORE SHOT

A tequila loop might sound like fun to us, but it all turns sour for star, Emily Manning, in this Y2K comedy that riffs on the repetition of Groundhog Day. With every shot of tequila, she time-travels to relive the best (and worst) of a New Year's Eve house party. In ode to this, we had a limited number of small bottles of Clase Azul tequila Reposado, for table service, ready to sip as-you-please with your choice of winter citrus.

THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING

Buffalo Trace bourbon, quince, chamomile, honey, soda

Set in the Bourbon-loving South, 'The Rivals of Amziah King' heroes a banjo-strumming beekeeper desperate to keep his legacy alive. The film's dramatic turns mean the warmth of quince and chamomile is welcome, against a backbone of Buffalo Trace. Plus, what's a beekeeper without honey? 

THE GOLDEN SPURTLE

Johnnie Walker Black whisky, Amontillado, Pineau des Charentes, porridge milk

We couldn't make a drink dedicated to porridge without whisky. Set in a small village in the Scottish Highlands, the documentary, 'The Golden Spurtle​​​​​​​' details the world's most prestigious porridge championship and those who vie for its title. 

COMMON PEAR

Christian Drouin Sélection Calvados, mezcal, pear, Montenegro

Set in a desolate future, Gregor Božič's 'Common Pear' explores the emotional connection farmers have with their land. Inspired by this sense of place, this cocktail heroes producers who put ingredients at the forefront of their distillation process. The Drouin family's relationship to their orchards stretches back generations, utilising the most traditional of techniques for the highest quality result. And you can't think of mezcal without reference to the Mezcaleros, the artisans who express the traditions of Mexican culture through their selection and distillation of agave.