Beneath the new-age office blocks of Brookfield Place lies Bobèche, a charismatic cocktail bar with an infectious old-world atmosphere. The basement boasts elaborate vintage floor lamps and a Prohibition-style ambience with its studded leather couches in the mysteriously low-lit bar. Over the past ten years, Bobèche has become a Perth icon within the small bar scene, and they are celebrating their tenth birthday by bringing back ten of their greatest cocktails.
From 2 August until 3 September, you can sip the offering from the iconic menu. Perhaps you’ll be sent into a nostalgic spiral, or perhaps you’ll be indulging for the first time – but one thing is certain; there’s no chance of a dodgy cocktail with Bobèche’s sensational libation fare.
Owner of Bobèche, Edward Wolkowinski shares, “It’s been awesome for the team to get together and go through the greatest cocktails of the past decade. It started as a long list, the process of narrowing it down has brought back some really good memories of the incredibly strong bar managers we’ve had over the years.”
And without further ado, here are the ten Bobèche cocktail that await you.
1. Old Fashioned
Charming and old worldly, with that irresistible waft of orange oil. It’s simple but one that takes time and craft. Bobèche’s special blend of bitters helps show off the barrel notes in George Dickel, and is balanced out by the richness of Demerara sugar syrup. Finished with a single block of clear ice, stamped with the Bobèche butterfly and a twist of orange peel. The Old Fashioned is made using: George Dickel No.8 whiskey, house bitters blend, dark sugar, and orange.
2. Bobèche Iced Tea
The Bobèche Ice Tea is a ruby red, sultry number. A delicately spiced twist on a Long Island Iced Tea. There’s always a section of teapot cocktails on the menu, but none has come close to the popularity of the Iced Tea. This alluring libation utilises: Ciroc vodka, Tanqueray No.10 gin, Pampero rum, cherry and sweet spice tea.
3. Pineapple Daiquiri
The secret is fresh pineapple, chargrilled with just the right bittersweet caramelisation by the chefs at Heritage Wine Bar upstairs. Incidentally, where all the Bobèche bar snacks come from too. This beverage embodies: chargrilled pineapple Pampero rum, lime, and cold pressed pineapple.
4. Fraise Sauvage a.k.a. Moulin Rouge
First hitting the Bobèche list back in the summer of ’15, it was inspired by the bartenders of New York City’s Employees
Only. A colourful twist on the Parisian wartime classic, the French 75 which, so they say, packed deadly precision. This delectable drink contains: Tanqueray gin, house strawberry cordial, lemon, and Lansdown “It’s Not My Fault I Like Bubbles” sparkling.
5. Hot Buttered Rum with fresh truffle
Regulars from Bobèche’s early days will remember the old popcorn machine churning all night long – it had the most delicious nutty flavour thanks to the coconut oil used to pop it. The machine is broken and in storage while Bobèche wait for the parts to fix it, so in homage they have came up with this special hot buttered rum for the winter months. A nod to the aromatic hot buttered rum drinks of old, but using coconut butter. And an extra treat for truffle season, we managed to snaffle a bit of fresh truffle from the Heritage Wine Bar kitchen and infuse it into the butter. This cocktail is made using: Pampero Anjeo rum, nutmeg, and truffled coconut butter.
6. Lady Marmalade a.k.a. Breakfast Martini
Created by Italian cocktail legend Salvatore Calabrese who found inspiration on the breakfast plate, and created the marmalade toast of martinis. Genius. Bobèche’s take on this modern classic arose when looking for a use for all the oranges left over from making garnishes. What was there to do but make their own Bar-malade? This dazzling refreshment calls upon: Aviation Gin, Barmalade, Cointreau, and lemon.
7. Bobèche Gimlet
Elegant with an air of virtue – another smash hit from Bobèche’s 2015 list. year. It’s a bright twist on a 20’s classic but not too off-piste. By swapping out the lime for grapefruit and chamomile, the flavours in Tanqueray No.10 really shine. The gimlet is made using: Tanqueray No.10, and house grapefruit and chamomile cordial.
8. Absinthe Frappe
The Absinthe Frappe is based on a classic morning pick-me-up, popular in 1800s New Orleans. Bobèche’s take on the frappe backs up anise and fennel aromatics in the absinthe with a bright pineapple syrup. This libation utilises Green Fairy Absinthe and charred pineapple syrup.
9. Charlie Chaplin
The Charlie Chaplin is bittersweet with just the right hint of sour to make your cheeks pucker in pleasure. A classic from the 1920s, straight from New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. This beverage embodies: Hayman’s Sloe Gin, apricot brandy, and lime.
10. East 8 Hold Up
Bobèche borrowed this number from legendary bartender, Kevin Armstrong of Milk & Honey in London. It quickly became one of their most popular new drinks of 2016. It’s a bittersweet number that’s a favourite with those who like their cocktails juicy and without the boozy burn. This fruit drink contains: Ketel One vodka, Aperol, pineapple juice, and passionfruit.
Hot damn – delectable with a side of silly. You have until 3 September to get your lips around these beverages. “It’s an epic countdown of a cocktail list and reminds me of all the people that have got Bobèche to this point. We’re excited to share it,” Edward concludes.
All images supplied.