Kelsie Gaffey’s recipe for ‘Gracie’s Spritz’ is our new favourite autumnal cocktail

as told to fashion journal

The owner of Gracie’s Wine Room shows us how to mix the perfect gin and pair it with a boozy snack plate.

If you’ve managed to wrangle your friends for a night out or have a first date coming up and want to impress them, then we’d suggest making a beeline for South Yarra’s Toorak Road. It’s there you’ll find Gracie’s Wine Room, a cosy space with dim lighting, a leafy courtyard and weekly trivia (if you’re so inclined).

Gracie’s is also known for its curated wine selection, specialty drinks and small plates. Though spritzes are perhaps most commonly associated with boozy summer evenings, owner Kelsie Gaffey is an advocate for letting the time of year inspire the menu. “We change out Gracie’s Spritz cocktail seasonally and it’s inspired by whichever fruit is at its tastiest,” she says.

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At the moment, ‘Gracie’s Spritz’ sits among the wine bar’s most-recommended drinks on the menu. “This year, we’re leaning into mandarin season. It’s perfect for any occasion, from celebratory drinks on a Friday afternoon to when the sun is going golden through at Sunday lunch.”

While a carafe can (almost too easily) be enjoyed on its own, it’s best paired with something to graze on. And Kelsie’s suggestion? A snack plate, of course. For the afternoons when you knock off early and the evenings where you’re hosting friends, Kelsie shares how to recreate Gracie’s Spritz and snack plate below.