Canberra’s Political Cocktails of Choice

So you’ve probably heard the whispers about what goes down at the QT Lounge. It’s the place where hands are shaking and deals are struck.

Perched high above the Canberra skyline, the lounge has views over both sides of Canberra and has a couple of hidden rooms for those backroom meetings.

The QT Lounge is only open to select members that have been gifted access, just to add to the mystery.

As the nations Parliament is located just a stone’s throw from our front doors, we tend to see a couple of familiar faces in the lounge, unwinding after a long day of debating policy and building a better Australia.

With our new cocktail list in full swing, we thought we’d help out a selection of our pollies and highlight a drink that best suits their personal taste just in time for the August sitting:

Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull
After a long day of leading the coalition, Mr Turnbull would be best suited to a QT Gin & Tonic. It’s stiff enough to take the edge off but still a treat for the tastebuds with that West Winds Sabre Gin. It’s fit, for a Prime Minister.

Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten
Leading the charge of the opposition can be taxing, so Bill would be suited to one of our fresh cocktails from the new winter mix. The Hemingway bases itself around Bacardi Carta Blanca and pink grapefruit, giving the taste buds a little kick and the mind time to think.

Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce
Jack Daniels and coke; the taste of Tamworth.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Tanya Plibersek
Nothing soothes the soul of TP like the Tuscan notes of the Castello Di Farnetella Chianti Colli Senesi 2013. A complex wine, yet easy to drink.

Independent Senator, Jacqui Lambie
Boags from the apple isle. Depending on the day, either light or full strength.

Liberal Backbencher, Tony Abbott
We have the Tommy’s Margarita, a classic take the Mexican Fiesta. Now that Tony is out of the top job, he’d be accustom to a couple of these after a long day, sombrero or not.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop
It’s a tough portfolio and after a staring down the opposition all day, we believe Julie might enjoy a Single Malt Scotch, like a 14-year-old Oban, on the rocks, of course.

Attorney-General, George Brandis
██ ████ ███ ████ ████ ███. ██ █████ ██ ████ ███ █████ ████. █ ██ ████ █████ ███ █████ ███ ████ ███. █████ ████ █ ██ ████ ███ ██ ████.

The only question left… whose round is it?

words by ben stephens