Latest news with #Daiquiris
The Age
6 days ago
- Business
- The Age
What Momofuku's Paul Carmichael did next – and how Australia lost one of its best chefs to New York
Earlier this year, New York City got something that Australia should have had: A new Paul Carmichael restaurant. Kabawa, on Manhattan's Lower East Side, isn't exactly what Carmichael envisioned when he was trying to find partners, funding and space in Sydney during the years after two-hatted Momofuku Seiobo closed in 2021. But the basic building blocks are the same: something fun, an exploration of Caribbean flavours and history, rum drinks, and Carmichael's particular brand of exuberance and singular cooking. The chef was lured back to the US to work once again for Momofuku, the company that brought him to Australia in the first place. In New York, he's been given the opportunity to create a space and menu that fully unleashes his creativity. Bar Kabawa, a 20-seat room adjacent to the main space, opened in early February serving Daiquiris, wine and snacks. On March 25, Kabawa opened, serving a prix-fixe menu that celebrates the foodways of the Caribbean in intensely personal and thoughtful dishes. Less than six weeks later, it appeared at No.4 on the New York Times' list of the 100 best restaurants in the city. The reviews have been rapturous: The New Yorker's Helen Rosner called it easygoing and joyous; new New York Times critic Ligaya Mishan gave Kabawa a rare three-star revie w last month. All of this is cause for celebration, to see a talented chef get his due. But for food lovers in Australia, it should also be frustrating, because what Carmichael really wanted after Seiobo closed was a chance to open something as personal, standard-setting and excellent as Kabawa is, but in Sydney.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
What Momofuku's Paul Carmichael did next – and how Australia lost one of its best chefs to New York
Earlier this year, New York City got something that Australia should have had: A new Paul Carmichael restaurant. Kabawa, on Manhattan's Lower East Side, isn't exactly what Carmichael envisioned when he was trying to find partners, funding and space in Sydney during the years after two-hatted Momofuku Seiobo closed in 2021. But the basic building blocks are the same: something fun, an exploration of Caribbean flavours and history, rum drinks, and Carmichael's particular brand of exuberance and singular cooking. The chef was lured back to the US to work once again for Momofuku, the company that brought him to Australia in the first place. In New York, he's been given the opportunity to create a space and menu that fully unleashes his creativity. Bar Kabawa, a 20-seat room adjacent to the main space, opened in early February serving Daiquiris, wine and snacks. On March 25, Kabawa opened, serving a prix-fixe menu that celebrates the foodways of the Caribbean in intensely personal and thoughtful dishes. Less than six weeks later, it appeared at No.4 on the New York Times' list of the 100 best restaurants in the city. The reviews have been rapturous: The New Yorker's Helen Rosner called it easygoing and joyous; new New York Times critic Ligaya Mishan gave Kabawa a rare three-star revie w last month. All of this is cause for celebration, to see a talented chef get his due. But for food lovers in Australia, it should also be frustrating, because what Carmichael really wanted after Seiobo closed was a chance to open something as personal, standard-setting and excellent as Kabawa is, but in Sydney.
Time Out
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Olá! The theme for Afloat's tenth season has been revealed – and we're going to Rio de Janeiro
If you're anything like us, you've probably spent the past few weeks glued to the Afloat Instagram account, trying to decode the clues and figure out just where in the world this year's theme is taking inspo from. Well, if you guessed the exhilarating and electrifying city of Rio de Janeiro, congrats – you're right on the money. Yep, in celebration of the beloved on-water bar's tenth (!!) season, the Afloat team is bringing all the colour, chaos and creativity of the Brazilian city to the Yarra River. That means a whole new look and vibe, including fresh interiors, tasty food and drink options, and a red-hot entertainment program. 'Think of Rio de Janeiro and golden sand, shimmering beaches, a mountainous backdrop and the lively percussion of samba echoing in the distance will likely come to mind,' says HQ Group's chief marketing officer, Georgie Larkins. 'The city is a lively, pulsating party that blends natural beauty, architectural icons, historical legacy and creative talents.' From a design perspective, think umbrellas in lush shades of green, ocean-blue awnings and furnishings in sunset-inspired shades. There will also be plenty of natural materials (wood, rattan, rope), bright ceramic pots and a rainforest worth of lush tropical plants and palms. With Rio's fun beachfront drinking culture in mind, the cocktail list has been curated to hero all varieties of fresh fruit – we're talking everything from guava, passionfruit and açai to watermelon, pineapple and citrus. Standout bevvies include the Passionfruit Pisco Sour, Raspberry Chilcano and a dedicated frozen section of Batidas, Daiquiris and Pina Coladas. But it's the food we're most excited about. Brazilian cuisine is a cultural melting point, drawing on techniques and flavours from places like Portugal, Africa, Japan, Colombia and Venezuela. The menu is set to feature street food snacks like arepas, empanadas, fried cheese and crispy prawns, along with a dedicated grill section that pays homage to South America's love of chargrilling. And because it wouldn't be a Rio theme without a touch of Carnival, there will be a jam-packed program of fun events, including salsa classes and full-venue parties (BYO feathered headpieces and bejewelled body suits, of course). Afloat officially opens on Friday, August 29 for walk-ins only. Bookings are available from Friday, September 5 onwards. To find out more, head to the website.
Belfast Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Recipes from the cocktail cabinet of literature's most notorious drinker: ‘If it gets too powerful, weaken with more tomato juice – if it lacks authority add more vodka'
Hemingway's hard stuff: recipes from the cocktail cabinet of literature's most notorious drinker Exactly one hundred years ago, on July 21, 1925, Ernest Hemingway celebrated his 26th birthday by starting work on his debut novel, The Sun Also Rises. Not only was it the opening starburst in a career full of literary firecrackers which culminated in a Nobel Prize, it also introduced the wider public to the author's hard-drinking habits that were second only to his prowess with words. Hemingway is said to have drunk 16 double Daiquiris in a single night in a Havana cocktail bar. He liked his Martinis made with 15 parts gin to one part vermouth, and notched up 51 of them on a bar tab at the Paris Ritz. Bloody Marys were a favourite, so too were Mojitos. He even invented a cocktail of his own.
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I tried all the supermarket strawberry daiquiris – £2.25 winner was a punchy, silky smooth revelation
One leading supermarket's tipple was slammed by our reviewer who said 'you can't really taste the booze at all' NICE ICE BABY I tried all the supermarket strawberry daiquiris – £2.25 winner was a punchy, silky smooth revelation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WELCOME to National Daiquiri Day – and why not celebrate by sipping this simple retro cocktail? Named after the beach in Cuba where it was created, the drink consists of four ingredients: white rum, strawberries, fresh lime juice and a splash of sugar syrup – and served with a generous scoop of crushed ice. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Drinks expert Helena Nicklin tries out ready-to-go Daiquiris and gives her verdict Credit: Oliver Dixon 10 The drink consists of four ingredients: white rum, strawberries, fresh lime juice and a splash of sugar syrup Credit: Getty But you don't have to bother mixing your own, as most supermarkets sell ready-to-go canned or bottled options. Drinks expert Helena Nicklin tries some out and gives her verdict. Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 8% ABV, £2.50, Marks & Spencer - 3/5 I THINK the M&S range of 'perfectly mixed' tipples really set the standard for canned cocktails at a mid ABV (alcohol by volume) range, and this one is decidedly decent. A blend of berry flavour and white rum with a squeeze of tangy lime, it's a pre-balanced beverage which will save you the faff of buying all the components to create your own. 10 M&S Strawberry Daiquiriis very simple, gluggable and well mixed Like all daiquiris, it's pretty sweet and gives good strawberry sweetie flavours with very subtle citrus notes. The booze isn't obvious but it's just about there on the finish. Very simple, but gluggable and well mixed. Funkin Nitro Strawberry Daiquiri 200ml, 5% ABV, £2.25, Tesco - 5/5 MY experience with the Funkin Nitro range of pre-mixed boozy tipples has not always been positive. But luckily, this ready-to-drink daiquiri didn't disappoint. 10 Funkin Nitro Strawberry Daiquiri scored full marks Sip, Savor, Celebrate: Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2024 When it comes to the Cuban cocktail, this one was a revelation. The 'nitro' is an infusion of nitrogen to make it silky smooth and bar-quality, and this time the addition gives a lovely, authentic creamy texture. It looks more natural, colour-wise, and has a pleasant fruity smell. There are a lot of good flavours that taste like actual strawberries and limes. It feels and tastes punchy, too. It's not the cheapest, but this is an excellent cocktail. Malibu Sparkling Strawberry Daiquiri Cocktail 250ml, 5% ABV, £2.20, Sainsbury's - 2/5 A DAIQUIRI is a rum-based drink, so it makes sense that big brands have got in on the ready-to-drink action and created their own pre-made cocktails – ensuring their spirit is the core ingredient. As a Malibu fan, I had high hopes for this tipple. 10 Malibu Sparkling Strawberry Daiquiri Cocktail scored 2 out of 5 But sadly, it didn't deliver. It has less of a lurid pink look than some, though it's slightly spritzy and very sweet and synthetic-tasting. In fact, you can't really taste the booze at all and the flavours throughout are generic and rather fake. So not much like a daiquiri at all. There are better ones out there at a similar price point. Such a shame. Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 5% ABV, £1.95, Morrisons - 1/5 MORRISONS' own version is definitely more of an alcopop than a ready-to-drink cocktail, in my opinion. If you pour it into a glass, it has a scary fluorescent-pink appearance, plus it's very fizzy and thin, like a carbonated drink. 10 Morrisons' own version is definitely more of an alcopop than a ready-to-drink cocktail Flavour-wise, there's a searingly acidic punch of something resembling lime and strawberry but it's achingly synthetic – enough to set your teeth on edge. The can is pretty enough to look at and it's easy to pack into a picnic for drinking on the go. Affordable and, I suppose, if you serve it with lots of ice and real fruit it will be drinkable. Au Vodka Strawberry Daiquiri 200ml, 8% ABV, £3.33, Asda, Morrisons & Tesco - 2/5 THIS gets full marks for its eye-catching retro Seventies-style gold and red can, which would be fab at parties, posh picnics or on your social media feed. But what's inside it is a bit of a let-down. 10 Au Vodka Strawberry Daiquiri scored 2 out of 5 Credit: supplied A classic cocktail with a twist, this is a daiquiri made using vodka as its base spirit instead of rum, so a good option for those who prefer this spirit. It's another nifty nitrogen-infused can that promises a creamy texture, but it's not as effective as its rivals. There's tons of flavour, including a coconut undertone. But it's still incredibly synthetic and acidic. Expensive compared to others too – all flash and no smash. The Distiller Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 4% ABV, £1.22, Asda - 3/5 ASDA'S own Distiller range does a great job at offering every ready-to-drink cocktail you could wish for – and some are better than others. This one's not bad and it's a bargain price at just over a quid. 10 The Distiller Strawberry Daiquiri scored 3 out of 5 But I'd also say that it's not their best either. As a one-off purchase or a cheaper ready-to-drink cocktail, it's well worth a try. Although it's not as sweet as some others, there's a lot of tooth-strippingly zingy lime alongside the fruit flavour – and it's fizzy. Served over ice with slices of strawberry, and maybe with a splash of tonic, it's super refreshing. Great for a few drinks in the garden. Navigator Strawberry Daiquiri 250ml, 3.4% ABV, £1, Iceland - 4/5 FOR only a quid, this daquiri from Iceland was a total surprise – and in a positive way. The can is fabulous, with a gorgeous design that looks far pricier than it actually is. 10 Navigator Strawberry Daiquiri is only a quid and scored 4 out of 5 Not only does it look elegant but what's inside is pretty smashing too. It's probably not the most authentic Cuban daiquiri out there and yes, it's sweet and sticky. But it delivers what you want and tastes of strawberry and lime with a nice boozy kick. Compared to many others at this ABV range, it over delivers and will save you money. Stock up for your summer parties or serve it ice cold. It's a one-quid triumph. Served Strawberry Daiquiri 125ml, 14.9% ABV, £3.90, Morrisons - 4/5 THIS small, canned sipper sits in a different quality category from most of the others, as it's a proper, bar-style serving. With three times the boozy bite of the others – a whopping 14.9 per cent – it's creamy, concentrated and sumptuously smooth with a lot more natural flavour. 10 Served Strawberry Daiquiri scored 4 out of 5 There's lots of body, a stunning berry-red colour and it contains a much higher quality, proper Caribbean rum. It's double the price of the others, but worth it if you want to spend a bit more for an authentic beach bar-style glugger. One to pour into a fancy glass and savour.
