The Espresso Martini That Got Dark

This July, we’re shaking things up with something bold, bitter, and delicsous. Say hello to The Dead Ringer — a cocktail that takes your classic espresso martini and lets it fall headfirst into the world of amaro.

If you love your cocktails complex, aromatic, and strong enough to match your late-night thoughts, this one’s for you.

A Little History on the Flip Side

The espresso martini has long been the go-to for late nights and fancy brunches. But what happens when that espresso martini grows up, starts reading philosophy? You get The Dead Ringer — a layered cocktail that blends the familiar kick of coffee with the herbal bitterness of amaro.

How to Make It

You’ll find the full recipe card and step-by-step video tutorial in your box, but here’s a taste of what’s inside:

• 30ml Three Foxes Organic Coffee Amaro
• 30ml Ragazzi e Succo Amaro
• 40ml Coffee
• 5 ml Simple Syrup

Shake hard over ice, strain into a chilled rocks or coupe glass, and finish with a spritz of Imperial Measures Auvert across the top.

Make It Your Own

Want to play with the vibe?

• Brighten it up with a twist of orange peel to highlight those citrus top notes.
• Go deeper: Swap cold press for a short double shot of espresso and lean right into that bitter edge.

What’s in the Box

This month’s kit includes everything you need to perfect your Dead Ringer:
✔ Ragazzi e Succo Amaro – 700ml
✔ Three Foxes Espresso Amaro – 700ml
✔ IMD Auvert Liqueur Spritzer – 30ml
✔ Arabica Cold Press Coffee – 500ml

💬 Let’s Hear It

Tried The Dead Ringer? We want to see your take on it! Tag us @elixelitecocktailclub and show off your masterpieces.

🖤 Elix-Elite Cocktail Club — Your Bar. Your Way.

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Banoffee Pie Meets Boozy Milkshake.

This month, we're turning things upside down with a drink that mixes nostalgia, indulgence, and a big dose of Aussie flavor. Say hello to the Banoffee Flip: a thick, frothy, dessert-like cocktail meant to enjoy , relish, and keep all to yourself (though we won't blame you if you share).

If you're looking to relax after a meal or just want to treat yourself to an alcoholic banana bread in a glass, this box is perfect for you.

Some Info on the Flip

The Flip has existed since the 1600s—originally crafted with ale, sugar, spices, and a hot poker for good measure.  current versions (like ours) are a bit more refined. Picture smooth, frothy drinks that bring creaminess without needing to use the blender.

As drinks keep changing, flips are gaining popularity again because of their texture-focused profiles. Our version embraces all that foamy goodness, but stays light and complex using smart Australian ingredients.

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What's in the Box?

This month's drink is made with Australian-produced items beginning with:

White Possum Banana Liqueur (500ml)

Real Queensland bananas give this liqueur its flavor - five in each bottle. It tastes like banana bread you can drink, without any fake candy taste. This smooth rich drink started this whole cocktail idea.

Husk Rare Blend Rum (700ml)

Fresh cane juice and cane honey from the Tweed Valley in Northern NSW make this rum. Husk's Rare Blend has a deep taste with hints of tropical fruit, vanilla, honeysuckle, and spice. It's pure made rum with no extras added.

Condensed Coconut Milk

A non-dairy creamy twist that gives a smooth tropical feel to every drink.

Elix-Elite Cocktail Foamer

Works for vegans, lasts on the shelf, and creates that silky long-lasting foam—no egg whites needed.

Milo Dust

Because we're Australian. And Milo goes well with everything.

Dried Banana Slices

Chewy topping that tastes great as a snack or on top of your cocktail.

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How to Make It

You'll get the complete recipe card and a video tutorial in your box, but here's a quick rundown:

• 30ml White Possum Banana Liqueur
• 40ml Husk Rare Blend Rum
• 1 heaping barspoon of condensed coconut milk
• 30ml Elix-Elite Foamer

Shake it (dry then wet) double strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass, and top with Milo dust and banana slice.

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Want to Change It Up?

Give an extra boozy twist by adding a dash of cream liqueur instead of coconut milk. Or step up your garnish with chocolate bitters, cinnamon, or even a caramelized sugar top with blow tourch.

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From Our Masterclass:

"Each bottle contains five bananas. It's smooth, bold, and will have you going… well, bananas." – Olivia Host of ElixElite Masterclass

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💬 Share Your Thoughts

Have you given the Banana Flip a shot? We'd love to see what you've made! Show us your best Milo-dusted creations by tagging us on Instagram @elixelitecocktailclub. Got any thoughts or ideas for upcoming boxes? Send us a message or get in touch.

🥂 Elix-Elite Cocktail Club – Your Bar, Your Way.

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A Conversation About Flavours, Creativity, and Yes—Bathtubs

Let’s dig into gin. Not the stoic spirit or the old-school tonic with a medicinal vibe. This is about today’s gin. The kind crafted by small distilleries stuffed with local botanicals wild flavour experiments, and unusual mixers. The kind that brings life back to your Friday night cocktails.

From Cures to Cocktails

Gin has a fascinating history. People link its origins to jenever ,a juniper-based spirit from the Netherlands that was once believed to have healing properties. Back then, drinking booze to fight the plague might’ve seemed like a solid idea. The British later adopted it and created the infamous “Mother’s Ruin” during the chaotic Gin Craze in the 1700s. Then prohibition rolled around, and we had bathtub gin, a sketchy homemade version mixed in literal bathtubs.

That’s the past though.

Modern gin showcases creativity. Distillers now use it as their playground to create exciting flavours instead of sticking to a few traditional types.

Okay, But What Makes Something Gin?

Here’s the deal: gin earns its name if juniper berries give it most of its flavour.

That’s the main rule. As for everything else? That’s wide open.

Gin begins with a neutral spirit often called a new make and takes on its taste by being distilled with botanicals. These can include herbs, roots, spices, citrus peels, and other ingredients. The end product is a clear aromatic drink that might be bold or mild, spicy or floral, or somewhere in between.

There’s no strict rule about what the base has to be. It can come from just about anything.

• Grain like wheat, barley, or rye — often crisp or with a bready edge
• Grape as the base — clean, floral, and smooth
• Molasses as a base — can feel creamy, velvety, or richer overall
• Other bases like sugarcane or rice — each bring their own unique vibe

This means two gins can use the same botanicals but end up tasting different, all thanks to the base.

Where Botanicals Steal the Show

This is where gin gets its cool factor.

Botanicals bring out the gin’s core character. Think a coriander punch, a citrusy zing, a floral breeze, a spicy kick, or even a savory layer. You’ll often find these as go-to options:

• Coriander seed
• Angelica root
• Citrus peel (like lemon, orange, or even yuzu)
• Orris root
• Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and peppercorns

Now here’s where things get a little crazy: ingredients like truffle, saffron, lavender, native bush tomato, lemon myrtle, or even green ants (yes actual green ants — in Australia, of course).

Each distiller guards their unique recipe. This is why trying different craft gins feels like an adventure.

Must-Know Gin Styles

• London Dry – The original style. It is simple, crisp, and doesn’t have sugar added after distillation.
• Navy Strength – High in alcohol. bottled at a strong 57% ABV. It traces back to when sailors needed gunpowder to stay usable even if gin spilled on it.
• Bathtub Gin – Inspired by prohibition times, it uses cold-compounding, which means infusing botanicals after distillation. It's unpolished, bold, and sometimes a bit cloudy.
• New Western – A newer style where juniper steps back allowing flavours like citrus, herbs, and florals to stand out. It offers a fresh and creative twist.
• Old Tom – Sweeter and gentler, it's a style sitting between London Dry and Jenever, perfect for bridging the two.

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Australia’s Gin Scene

Here’s what makes it exciting: Australian distilleries are creating one-of-a-kind gins.

Why? Australian distillers don’t follow strict, centuries-old rules. They have room to experiment. They use native plants that aren’t found anywhere else on the planet.

Think about finger lime, Kakadu plum, wattle seed, peppermint gum, and lemon myrtle. These ingredients aren’t just for show—they produce remarkable spirits.

Mix this with Aussie creativity, and you get a gin movement that’s bold, inventive, and tasty.

Remember the Tonic

Tonic isn’t an afterthought these days.

Sure, you can still choose the well-known classics, but smaller, specialty tonic brands are growing fast. They now offer unique flavours like:

• Agave & Lime Tonic
• Native Citrus Tonic
• Saltbush & Thyme
• Blood Orange & Sage

Picking the right tonic for your gin is as important as picking the right wine for a meal. It makes a difference and can turn an average G&T into something amazing.

The Bottom Line?

Gin is has made a big comeback. It’s no longer just an old-school mixer or a thing of the past. It’s a true form of art and shows off creativity, craft, and a connection to its origins.

If you're enjoying a bold Navy-strength gin from Tasmania, a lavender-infused one from the Barossa, or a creation featuring roasted macadamia and pepper berry from the Adelaide Hills, gin lets you experience something fresh and innovative.

Hoping to dive into the world of gin and other spirits? Signup for the Elix-Elite Cocktail Club. It includes Australian gins in with our cocktails packs with special ingredients to showcase their unique flavours with video lessons from top professionals.

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People love a good cocktail — but how they enjoy them is changing.

Once reserved for bars and big nights out, cocktails have become part of a wider lifestyle — one that values taste, experience, creativity, and learning. Whether you're mixing at home for fun, looking to improve your skills, or just want a better drink without dropping $30 at the bar, Elix-Elite Cocktail Club was made for you.

So, how does Elix-Elite stack up against other options?

Here’s a quick look:

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‍RTDs (Ready-To-DrinkCocktails)

Pros:

• Super     convenient — just open and sip.
• Great     for parties or picnics.

Cons:

• No     flexibility — you’re stuck with whatever’s in the can.
• Same     old flavours: Espresso Martini, Margarita, Negroni… repeat.
• No     real experience or education.
• Often     made with imported spirits and artificial flavours.

Elix-Elite gives you real ingredients, premium Australian spirits, and a hands-on cocktail experience — not just a sweet drink in a can.

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Bars

Pros:

• Great     vibe, professional service, and social energy.
• Broad     selection (at the right venue).

Cons:

• Pricey     — one round can easily top $100.
• You     don’t control the ingredients.
• Most     bars don’t prioritise local spirits.
• It’s     a drink, not an experience you take with you.

Elix-Elite lets you craft bar-quality cocktails at home — for a fraction of the price — using premium ingredients, professional tools, and guided video tutorials so you actually learn as you go.

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Gin Subscription Boxes

Pros:

• A     great way to try new gins.
• Some     include simple cocktail recipes.

Cons:

• Mostly     about sipping gin with tonic.
• Rarely     include tools or mixers.
• Limited     learning or cocktail diversity.

Single-spirit boxes are fun — until you’ve got 10 half-used bottles of gin gathering dust. Elix-Elite goes beyond gin: we feature rum, whisky, brandy, amaro, and more. Each box is a full cocktail experience built around learning and discovery.

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DIY Cocktail Learning

Pros:

• Total     freedom to explore.
• You     can build a killer home bar over time.

Cons:

• Overwhelming     choice: too many recipes, tools, and spirits.
• Easy     to waste money on ingredients you barely use.
• No     structure or feedback.
• Hard     to balance flavours without help.

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More than another Subscription Box

Elix-Elite gives you a clear starting point, thoughtful curation, and expert guidance — so you can build confidence and flavour knowledge the right way.

What Makes Elix-Elite Stand Out?

✅ Hand-Picked Australian Spirits

Every box includes 100% Australian-made spirits, chosen specifically to suit that month’s cocktail. We do the research — you enjoy the flavour and the story.

✅ Full Professional Cocktail Kit(First Box)

No gear? No problem. Your welcome box includes a professional-grade kit — designed by bartenders to last a lifetime.

✅ Guided Video Masterclasses

Learn how to shake, stir, balance, and tweak drinks like a pro with step-by-step tutorials from Australia’s best bartenders.

✅ One Cocktail, Many Variations

Each box teaches a hero cocktail, but also shows you how to remix it — so you can get more mileage (and creativity) out of your ingredients.

✅ Incredible Value

At around $7 per cocktail, you’re getting premium spirits, boutique ingredients, and a full learning experience — for less than a night at the pub. We don’t include pre-made juice because fresh is better, and we teach you why.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to shake up your cocktail game, Elix-Elite is more than just a box — it’s a better way to drink, learn, and support local distillers. It’s where top-shelf spirits meet down-to-earth education, right from your kitchen.

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