FOREWORD
The object of this book is to bring to the public for the first time a truly complete selection of Cocktails, both standards, and more important, award winning cocktails invented by leading Australian Bartenders.
The publishers believe that this is the first time that this has been undertaken. Surprising though it may seem in light of the fact that Australians have only comparatively re-cently embraced the Cocktail as an acceptable drink, Australian Bartenders have been excep-tionally successful in International competition.
In fact, as this book goes to press, it has been announced that the team representing Australia in the International Bartenders’ Association Congress 1971 International Cocktail Competition, held in Tokyo, have won one Gold and two Silver medals. This feat has bettered the American team’s efforts; and America is the “home” of the Cocktail. Perhaps, and it is not beyond the bounds of probably, some of the award winners included in this volume will become sufficiently popular around the World to be classified as “standards” and become as well known as the Tom Collins, Manhatten or Daquiri.
If this book can in some small way assist in achieving recognition for some of the excellent Cocktails invented by our Bartenders, then its production will have been well worth while.
BILL SCHOBER
When the Publishers undertook to produce “Cocktails From Down Under” a better man than Bill Schober could not be found to edit the book. He is one of Australia’s most experienced and authoritative Cocktail Mixers and Bartenders. He has been associated with the Hotel industry for most of his life, is President of the Bartenders’ Guild of Victoria, and has won many prizes in championship cocktail competitions.
Currently, Bill is the Head Bartender at Intercontinental Hotels’ Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne, and represented Intercontinental Hotels at the Tokyo International Competition. Finally, the Publishers wish to express their gratitude to the Companies marketing Bacardi Rum, Martini & Rossi Vermouth, Bols Liquers and Orrefors Glassware, Emerald wines and Intercontinental Hotels Ltd. for the assistance and support they have given in the preparation of this booklet.
2 COCKTAILS FROM DOWN UNDER