The Thirsty Travellers were invited to an afternoon of spritz tasting and cocktail making with Batch & Co last week.

The virtual event was hosted by Batch & Co creator and mixologist Thomas Kiltorp, together with co-founder Pru Corrigan.

Kiltorp arrived in Melbourne from Sweden in 2000 and won The Age Good Food Guide Bartender of the Year soon after.

He successfully launched Batch & Co’s selection of non-alcoholic mixers in 2017 and created the wine-based canned spritz range last year.

“After many years of creating cocktails, I knew what the consumer wanted and what the bartender needed,” Kiltorp explained.

“I wanted to create flavours that have the ‘depth’ of cocktails yet are refreshing and delightful on the palette – the flavours really are the hero.”

The event was designed to teach participants how to create the perfect spritzes and cocktails from home, with a ‘happy hour’ held via Zoom.

Ginger made three spritzes and one gin highball during the class. While she was initially dubious, after previous so-so experiences with premixes, she says Batch & Co has produced the most delicious little cans of alcoholic wonder.

Her favourite was the Bondi Spritz with Strawberry, Guava and Rosé, which she was instructed to garnish with ice and a slice of lemon. She also tried the Noosa Spritz, which blends white and pink grapefruit with a dry Rosé, and the Brighton Spritz, with pear, fig and Pinot Grigio.

The Brighton Spritz was garnished with cucumber and ice, while a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of thyme were added to the Noosa Spritz.

Kiltorp revealed the secret to the perfect spritz is “handpicked ingredients, with a sweet, sour and bitter component”. 

He said he sees spritzes being embraced as more than just a summer drink.

“There is change in the air and more local choice means Aussies can drink what they want when they want,” he said.

“Consumers continued to seek out new premium flavours that are defined by quality, delicious ingredients and want to share that experience with mates. The current climate provides four seasons in a day so, yes all Batch & Co drinks are all rounders.”

All varieties Ginger tried contain 8% alcohol, apart from the non-alcoholic Strawberry, Guava and Vanilla fizzy drink in the big bottle. Fortunately, Ginger fixed that by mixing it with 30ml of gin, a squeeze of lemon and some rosemary … as instructed by her Swedish mixologist host. She declared it to be very moreish.

Batch & Co products are available from Qantas Business Class lounges, David Jones Food Stores, select BWS stores, Simon Johnson, Camperdown Cellars, Wine Box, Sydney Cricket Ground and more. They are also stocked online at Dan Murphys, Mr Tipple, BoozeBud and Mr Liquor.