The Neapolitan: gin, vodka, and whisky.
When your neighbour is Gelato Messina HQ, it’s inevitable that you’re going to be eating a lot of ice cream. And similarly, when your neighbour is Archie Rose, an after-work tipple is most definitely going to be on the cards.
So then, what happens when these two neighbours get friendly and jovial with each other? Someone eventually pipes up and says, Why don’t we do something together?
And that person, whoever they are, is our hero because the ice-cream inspired liquor idea took hold and now, after months of work and over 300 trials, Archie Rose is able to present not one but three spirits made from the same high-quality ingredients Gelato Messina utilises in their ice creams.
In other words, this is not going to be some medicinal-tasting, sugar-rush inducing, guaranteed worst hangover in your life alcohol. Not even a slim chance. Master distiller Dave Withers of Archie Rose says of the whisky that it ‘is a proper adult interpretation of a chocolate ice cream.’
And Neapolitan? Well, we haven’t been this excited to see strawberry, vanilla and chocolate lined up next to each other in…ever!
So, what exactly is the Messina-inspired Neapolitan?
Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn Gin: Messina supplied their own strawberries grown in Dural, NSW which Archie Rose blended with locally foraged pink peppercorns and native river mint.
Vanilla & Pandan Vodka: Featuring a mix of natural vanillin and Tongan grown vanilla beans paired with fragrant pandan.
Cocoa Husk & Hazelnut Whisky: A specially roasted blend of hazelnuts from Seymour, Vic and from the Piedmont region of Italy is mixed with a blend of rare cacao beans.
Launching on September 7 and available to purchase on the Archie Rose website (as well as at independent bottle shops and the Archie Rose Bar), this limited edition pack of three 200ml bottles will set you back $109 but unlike the old Neapolitan, this is a real special treat.
In order to help celebrate the collaboration and the release, Messina is selling a limited edition run of Neapolitan decorated tub as part of their Hot Tubs range, also available from September 7.
However, to make sure you don’t miss out, sign up to the presale release for September 3 on either Archie’s Journal or the Messina website.
Once you have your Neapolitan, find inspiration at the Archie Rose x Gelato Messina virtual cocktail masterclass on 25 September (tickets will go on sale for this on 3 September). Otherwise, start mixing at home. Donato Toce, Messina’s Head Chef, says the Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn Gin goes exceptionally well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
(Featured image: gelatomessina)