El Toro Tequila has released a new limited edition range called Pocket Cocktails. The single-serve cocktail kits bring a bar-quality tequila serve to your next BYO event with ease.
The Write Drop spoke to Senior Brand Manager Michael Newbold for our At The Bar series and the decision behind this kitsch new release.
MY CITY
Adelaide; I love it because it has a food and drink culture that competes with any major capital city in Australia. I can drive from home to the CBD in five minutes, and in 25 minutes be hopping Basket Range cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills drinking classic expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay or lo-fi, natty Piquettes and Pet Nats –it’s not just unique. It doesn’t exist anywhere else.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
The whipped ricotta antipasti dish at either of Laura Sharrad’s Adelaide restaurants Fugazzi and Nido are delicious. Whipped ricotta, black pepper, honey and gnocco fritto – what’s not to like?
FAVOURITE BAR
All-time cocktail bar is Hains & Co – Marcus has created an Adelaide institution that places quality drinks above all else in a space that lives and breathes the meaning of hospitality. For a bar as iconic as Hains, it’s still welcoming, accessible and unpretentious. s
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
In my previous business I was given the title of Negroni Newbold after making a fairly decent dent in a 10L flagon of coffee infused negroni over the course of a few weeks
left over from an event. But what’s better than a great negroni? That perfect balance of sweet, spice, bitter and zesty – whether that describes me, you’d probably need to ask my fiancé.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Early morning plans the next day – prevention is the best cure. If plans aren’t available then it’s a strong Bickford’s Lemon Lime Bitters cordial in the SodaStream and a GYG Breakfast Burrito.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Maybe Sammy when I’m in Sydney. Exceptional drinks. Incredible atmosphere and an experience you won’t find in other venues.
OVERSEAS BAR
A bucket list venue to visit is ARGO at the Four Seasons Hong Kong. After working with them in a previous role to create their signature house gin, it’s a place I’ve always had my eyes on.
FAVOURITE WINE
I’m avoiding the Burgundy and Bordeaux and keeping it local with this answer! Dr. Edge ‘Tasmania’ Chardonnay is a wine that I will always buy when I see it – because it’s so hard to find. Polishing off a bottle over lunch at MONA last year is a special memory. Peter Dredge knows Tasmania and knows how to create Chardonnay and Pinot Noir like few others in Australia. His wines are also exceptionally priced – there’s just not many produced each year.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Too many to choose, but my go to South Australian recommendations for people visiting are always Ashton Hills, CRFT (Adelaide Hills) David Franz, Alkina (Barossa Valley) Beresford & Samuals Gorge (McLaren Vale).
NEXT DESTINATION
Tasmania. It’s become an annual pilgrimage for us and we’re still yet to see everything there is to offer down there. We always discover a new hidden gem, whether it’s the modern Scottish restaurant, Oirthir or the Swansea Hotel.
What inspired the new El Toro Pocket Cocktail?
I’ve always found that Christmas gifting products from alcohol brands fall into a similar bucket of ‘x bottle + y cocktail shaker = $50/$70. We wanted to do something a little different that leaned into the unique advantages of our business being access to brands like Bickford’s Cordial and Cawsey’s Bartender Mixes. El Toro is a tequila brand that we’re building under the ethos of different, fun and at times a bit cheeky. We love a stocking filler in our house and we’ve all been in that position of; ‘What do you get the co-worker you’ve spoken to once for a $15 Kris Kringle?’
How did you decide on the two flavours for this campaign?
When it comes to tequila cocktails, you’ve got to start with the two biggest names in the game – Margarita and Paloma. Margarita has held its place as the world’s most popular cocktail for years now, and the Paloma is the perfect serve for someone interested in making a tequila cocktail at home without the shaking and juicing. It’s the G&T of Tequila and is playing a big role in bringing people into the spirit.
A personal favourite?
It’s hard to go past the Emergency Marg. While it’s not the traditional build for the iconic cocktail, Our Cawsey’s Margarita Mix captures all the zesty lime and sweet orange flavour you’ll find in a very serviceable marg. Plus, I love the idea that you can shake-up a one-hit margarita in an old jar, protein shaker, SodaStream bottle – really anything with a lid. It’s just fun, refreshing and a bit cheeky.
Available now at Dan Murphy’s stores nationwide and select BWS outlets – RRP $15 each or 2 for $25.
