Cocktails are booming as value-conscious drinkers seek craft experiences over beer or wine. Jacob Crane and Natalie Ng share how nostalgic flavours, smart batching, rising mocktail demand and classic 3-2-1 formulation techniques are shaping menus, alongside shifting male drinking habits and the art of Japanese-style hospitality.

Melbourne has once again played host to the Southern Hemisphere’s premier coffee industry event – the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) ran from 26-28 March bringing together café owners, roasters, baristas and suppliers from across Australia and internationally.