An interactive cocktail experience at Zeta Bar, Hilton Sydney

A few of us from the Holidays for Couples team are headed to Sydney this week, so I've been on the look out for some things to see and do in the evenings. At least one night out is going to start here I think: The Zeta Bar at Hilton Sydney. Check out the eclectic selection of innovative new cocktails on its menu ... a round of drinks at Zeta is more like a science experiment! 

Reinforcing its reputation as one of the most cutting edge cocktail bars in the Southern Hemisphere, Zeta Bar's Mixologist and international bar consultant Grant Collins continues to pioneer the most prominent global bar trends. Collins’ latest quirky and interactive cocktails are inspired by market fresh ingredients, quality spirits and progressive interpretations on timeless classics. His creations for summer/autumn 2012 include; Gunpowder Plot, Champagne & Strawberry Martini, DIY Old Fashioned, Apple Absinth Nitro Punch and Very British G&T.

Access to Zeta is via glass elevator at the Hilton Sydney entrance on George Street, and you will find us sipping on a cocktail (or a few!) on the outdoor terrace overlooking the iconic Queen Victoria Building. Or maybe if we're lucky, in the VIP lounge ... Zeta sounds like one of the CBD cocktail bars to be seen in!

Take Lebua's famous Sky Bar cocktails home with you this summer!

The breathtaking views over glittering Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River at Sky Bar, Lebua, provide the perfect backdrop to Italian mixologist Alex Holzer's famous cocktail creations. And while a return visit to the gravity defying night spot is on our 'must-do' list for the next trip to Bangkok, we are lucky enough to have on hand his fabulous cocktail recipes to indulge in for the summer party season at home. Here's our three of our favourite cocktails, direct from the Sky Bar for you all to share!

The Havana Pearl – a perfect accompaniment to the Sky Bar scene which features a zesty combination of award-winning amber rum, pineapple juice, ginger and lime – for a flavour which is fresh and fragrant, with an edge. 

Havana Seleccion de Maestros 1.0 oz

Pineapple Juice 2.5 oz

Canton Ginger Liquor 1.5 oz

Fresh Ginger 3 slices

Fresh Lime 2-3 dashes

Blend ingredients until foam appears, combine with ice & garnish with grated lime.

Cool as a Cucumber - as refreshing as its name implies, combining gin infused with botanicals, sour flavours, lavender extract and fresh ginger, and finished with molecular cucumber pearls.

Fresh Ginger 20 grams

Fresh Cucumber 0.4 grams

Lavender Extract 0.6 oz

Fresh Lime Juice 0.5 oz

Cucumber Infused Gin 1.5 oz

Molecular Cucumber Pearls 15

Muddle fresh ginger and cucumber, combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Double strain into a Martini glass and top with cucumber pearls.

Green Tea Rosemary Martini - simple but refined, boasting an elegant blend of green tea liqueur, Chivas Regal, rosemary-infused honey and apple juice. 

Green Tea Liqueur 1 oz

Chivas Regal 1 oz

Rosemary Infused Honey 0.3 oz

Apple Juice 0.3 oz

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into martini glass. Garnish with Rosemary sprigs.

Lebua is the place to be seen when in Bangkok, and right there - in a lounge perched high above the Bangkok skyline - is where you'll find us on our next visit ... cocktail in hand!