At The Bar with St ALi’s Head Barista Alex Wang

The arrival of freshly ground St ALi’s coffee has turned up at Coles – roasted to order and labelled with best before dates; an evolution of the South Melbourne company’s placement in a chain supermarket.  So the next time you plan on on making a coffee at home; or better still; making an espresso martini at home for friends to enjoy – a last minute supermarket run won’t see you compromise on quality.

St ALi’s Head Barista Alex Wang talks to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.

MY CITY

I’m originally from Taipei, Taiwan. I feel fortunate to have grown up in such a vibrant city and to have started my career there. Now living in Docklands, I am extremely lucky to have some of Melbourne’s finest establishments right at my doorstep. I love being in close proximity to some of the city’s best bars and restaurants, all run by incredibly passionate individuals. The area is renowned for its beautiful river and fantastic running trails – I’m training for a marathon and it’s my favourite trail. There’s still so much I’m yet to explore.

FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY

My favourite food memory is dining at Firedoor in Sydney. The experience was truly unforgettable due to the exceptional quality of the food and the unique approach to cooking with fire. The service and wine pairings were amazing.

FAVOURITE BAR

Caretaker’s Cottage. It’s super close to where I live. The ambience, the expertly crafted cocktails, and the attentive service make it a standout spot. It’s always good for a quick drink; I love the outside chill vibes. Another favourite in the city is Byrdi—Luke always has amazing creative drinks. The unique visuals and flavours always inspire me with new ideas.

DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU

Wine. Gamay. It’s typically quite light in both body and colour, has low levels of alcohol and tannins, and high levels of acidity. Bright, light and vibrant. It describes me best—easy going but complex, vibrant, and full of fresh energy.

COFFEE THAT DESCRIBES YOU

Panama / Colombia Gesha washed filter coffee. This coffee is known for its unique and complex flavour profile, which includes floral notes, vibrant acidity, and a smooth, clean finish. Much like this exceptional coffee, I appreciate the finer details in life and have a refined palate. I enjoy exploring the nuances in different experiences and value quality and uniqueness. It mirrors my own approach to life—careful, thoughtful, and always seeking the best outcome.

BEST HANGOVER CURE

The best hangover cure for me is a big glass of an electrolyte-rich drink, some spicy food, hot soup with carbs like rice or bread, and a good nap. It’s all about rehydrating and getting some rest.

BEST INTERSTATE BAR

The best interstate bar I’ve visited is Lucinda Wine Bar in Hobart. It offers a fantastic atmosphere and amazing drinks that make it worth the visit every time. The staff are warm and gave us great recommendations for travelling around Tassie, as well as winery suggestions.

FAVOURITE WINE WITH FRIENDS

2022 Momento Mori ‘Staring at the Sun’. This cult classic skinsy white blend features tropical fruit, citrus, and bright acidity. The 2022 blend includes 45% Vermentino, 45% Fiano, and 10% Moscato Giallo. It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying after work to relax and chill.

FAVOURITE WINERY RIGHT NOW

Yarra Yering is one of the oldest and most beautiful vineyards in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Established in 1969 by Dr. Bailey Carrodus. Yarra Yering quickly gained an international reputation for quality and individuality, paving the way for other Yarra Valley wineries. Their tasting menu is amazing, starting with easy-drinking wines and progressing to more complex flavours. Additionally, it is very close to the city, making it perfect for a one-day trip. I highly recommend trying and purchasing the 2022 Chardonnay and the 2021 Dry Red Wine No. 1 for home.

NEXT DESTINATION

My next travel destination is Manila, where we will soon open ST. ALi Manila. I am looking forward to exploring new places and experiencing a different culture.

HOW MANY COFFEES A DAY

I typically have 2-3 filter coffees and 2-3 double espressos a day. Tasting different types of coffee is essential for keeping me sharp throughout the day.

WHAT’S THE SECRET TO A GOOD ESPRESSO MARTINI

The secret to a good espresso martini is in the espresso. A good espresso can take it to a different level. Also, for the technique, shake it more than 30 times to ensure it’s well-mixed and frothy.  My preparation method includes 30ml vodka, 30ml ST ALi coffee liqueur, double shots of freshly brewed Orthodox espresso, and a touch of simple syrup. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled martini glass.

ST ALI COMES TO COMES – FRESH BATCH COFFEE IN A SUPERMARKET. ARE WE DREAMING?

Our product has been on Coles shelves for a number of years, but never to this mass scale. We’re thrilled to have our core range of coffee beans in 850 Coles stores nationwide – it’s a huge milestone for Melbourne specialty coffee and it comes back to our mission of making quality coffee more accessible.

WHO DRINKS MORE COFFEE MELBOURNE OR SYDNEY

Melbourne is really Australia’s home city for specialty coffee, so unsurprisingly, Victoria takes the lead. But our New South Wales neighbours are giving it a red hot go with their bean consumption too; they closely follow.

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