Welcome to a series of stories showcasing one drink, one bartender, at one great bar. This series is made possible by Brown-Forman's Elevate program — to learn more, contact your Brown-Forman representative.
In Brisbane on any given Friday night, when it is time for cocktails, Dr Gimlette gets busy.
The CBD cocktail bar also has an impressive selection of spirits on the back bar, having opened in September of 2021 as part of the Cuatro Group, whose other venues include Death & Taxes and Antico.
Here, we hear from venue manager Tyrone Kuhn about Dr Gimlette, his favourite times for working the stick, and get his recipe for a summer-ready bourbon drink that pleases everyone.
BOOTHBY: What’s your role here?
TYRONE KUHN: I’m the VM for Dr. Gimlette. I’ve worked in the company on and off for the last three, four years I believe. Starting with Death & Taxes, then moving over to Antico and then now finally ending up here.
BOOTHBY: For people who haven’t been to Dr. Gimlette before, what’s this place all about?
TYRONE KUHN: Mostly cocktails. That’s what we’re really known for. It’s super, super popular with us. But we can do it all.
BOOTHBY: Where does the name come from?
TYRONE KUHN: So the name comes from Dr. John Gimlette. He was a navy doctor, he was credited for the combination of lime, gin, and sugar all coming together. Later on that became the Gimlet that we all know and love.
BOOTHBY: Tell us about this drink that you’ve made here?
TYRONE KUHN: This is a Spring Buck. It takes its namesake from the Kentucky Buck, which came up around 2009, I believe, from [bartender Erick Castro] at a bar in San Francisco. I’ve adapted this one to be made with watermelon.
Outside of that, there’s not a lot of change, because the drink in my opinion is just perfect.
I use this drink usually to get people on board with bourbon, people who always tell themselves that, you know, I’m not a bourbon drinker. I think this will change their hearts and minds.
BOOTHBY: Why do you do what you do?
TYRONE KUHN: why do I still do this? Even though there are moments where I’m just like, man, this is an absolute slog — it’s so hard sometimes — but you meet some people every now and again who just love what we do, and then you end up getting lost in conversation with them. They make your entire night. I would literally do all the hard stuff again and again just for those people.
Spring Buck
Ingredients:
- 50ml Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- 20ml watermelon juice
- 20ml lemon
- soda water to top
Build all ingredients in a highball glass. Fill with ice. Garnish with a bunch of mint.
The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812. The perfectly balanced taste of our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is comprised of more than 200 detectable flavour notes, from bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit & floral notes.Woodford Reserve is an innovative bourbon, showcasing a rich and colourful flavour unlike any other Kentucky bourbon.
