By now you might have seen the links and press releases as Australia relaunches its Best Job In The World program. Imaging spending your days in Australia, experiencing the best it has to offer, and actually getting paid for it. But this time there are six slots open, and in a variety of different positions:
• Lifestyle Photographer (Melbourne)
• Chief Funster (New South Wales)
• Outback Adventurer (Northern Territory)
• Park Ranger (Queensland)
• Wildlife Caretaker (South Australia)
• Taste Master (Western Australia)
HELLO? Having seen a big part of Australia (including Hamilton Island and qualia, thankyouverymuch), I can guarantee you that you’ll enjoy it, no matter which position you’re after. And even though I’d personally go for Taste Master or Lifestyle Photographer, I also fell in love with South Australia and Kangaroo Island. So please apply so I can read all about it, ok?
And speaking of Kangaroo Island and South Australia, Southern Ocean Lodge is has announced their second KI Food Safari, to be held this August. Billed as a “hedonistic food-lovers’ journey”, this event is a hands-on, get-out-and-get-dirty exploration of Kangaroo Island with some stellar Australian chefs and personalities (and yes, Maggie Beer will be there!) It’s not cheap, mind you, but having spent time in Kangaroo Island and never wanting to leave Southern Ocean Lodge I can tell you that you’re in for an extremely special event with a fantastic group of people. Oh my goodness, the clean pure flavors from that island blow my mind, I’m not kidding. Certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And now that I’ve fully stoked my love for Australia (you can read about it here and here and here, if you’d like!), I thought I’d close out this quick little post with one of my favorite drinks. OF ALL TIME. It’s simple really, and extremely Australian, for reasons I don’t know why. But if you imagine sipping this with your best Aussie buds, laughing and hanging outside in the sun, you’ll easily see why it’s a favorite. It’s simple and refreshing without being boring, and I couldn’t get enough of it. There are ready-made versions you can buy, and ordering it at a bar will most likely feature a pre-made lemon or lime soda. But I choose to make it from scratch (except the bitters, which you could totally make yourself, too). This version borrows its base from a citron presse, and there are no required quantities: Just lemon sugar syrup, soda water, and dashes of bitters. And plenty of ice.
Damn, I need to get back to Australia as soon as humanly possible.
Lemon Lime Bitters
It’s simple, really: soda water, lemon and/or lime syrup, about 5 to 7 dashes of bitters, and ice. For the lemon simple syrup, mix the zest of two lemons with 2 cups of sugar and enough water to cover, about 2 cups. Cook until thoroughly dissolved then let cool. The syrup will turn yellow and will taste oh-so-delicious! In a glass pour the lemon simple syrup over ice, then top with soda water and then dashes of bitters. You can do more if you want more of that herbally bitters flavor, and you can increase the syrup if you like things sweeter. Garnish with a lime wedge or the citrus peel, whatever you like. Enjoy!