'I'm going to take a stroll along the boardwalk,' I said to Peter as I headed out the door of our holiday apartment. 'Oh, are you,' he replied, turning his gaze away momentarily from an action-packed movie he'd been watching. 'Yes,' I replied. 'And if I'm not back within half an hour, you'll find me at Berardo's having oysters and cocktails.'
Winter in Canberra this year has been a corker. Minus eight degrees C overnight and even some snow! To my delight, Peter and I missed the worst of it, as we took some time out recently to head north to warmer climes. We drove this time, first to Nelson Bay, then Coffs Harbour, followed by Redcliffe in Brisbane, up to Hervey Bay and back down to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, where we settled in for a delicious ten days. The weather was pleasant: a comparatively balmy 20 degrees C and we were able to swim in the heated pool at the resort every single day. The ocean was a little too icy, in fact Peter went in for a dip and found that the cold took his breath away. Besides, it was no fun taking my air boot down onto the sand and I really didn't want to risk damaging my (broken) foot, which was (is) still mending.
We'd been swimming and sightseeing already on this one particular day, and I'd also indulged in a little girlie shopping. Hastings Steet in Noosa is great for that. It was after 3pm but the sun was still shining and I remembered that my favourite bistro, Berardo's, which overlooks the beach, had been promoting freshly shucked oysters with cocktails at sunset. Perfect! I hobbled across the road in my space boot and made a beeline for the bistro. What the heck. Life is short and I want to make the most of every single day — you know what I mean?! As I sat there a little while later eating Smoky Bay oysters, sipping on a cocktail with flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and ginger — and relishing a vista that my lovely friend Maureen (The Orgasmic Chef) described as 'paradise' when she and her husband, John, joined us for lunch a day or two later — I felt completely and absolutely blessed. I might just add that Peter joined me the following afternoon (and on several other days!), and we sat quietly watching the sun set together. 
To make...
This is the best kind of 'muddle'...
Fresh sugar cane juice...
The 'recipe'...
Here is my take+ on The Cane Cutter Cocktail... cin cin xo
THE CANE CUTTER COCKTAIL 1 fresh lime 3/4 cup (150mls) sugar cane juice* 30mls The Original Sailor Jerry spiced rum 1 cup (250mls) ginger beer 8-10 ice cubes Cut the lime into eight segments and place the lime pieces and sugar cane juice (or sugar syrup) into the bottom of a pouring jug. Muddle or press the segments to squeeze out some of the juice from the limes and mix it all together. Add the Sailor Jerry and ginger beer, and mix well. Then pour half the contents into a cocktail shaker, together with some ice and shake gently, taking care not to overfill the shaker (otherwise it will all spray out). Give the cocktail a shake, then pour it into a serving glass, pop some straws into the glass and serve. This quantity will make two drinks. * Note, if you are unable to source sugar cane juice, make a sugar syrup with, say, one cup of water and one cup of Demerara sugar, Rapadura; or perhaps a lesser quantity of Palm Sugar (Gula Melaka). + Michelle at Berardo's kindly explained the key ingredients to me. I have developed this recipe. Enjoy. 
Michelle and David shaking and shucking at Berardo's Bistro on the Beach...
Oysters and cocktails... yeah!
If you're ever in Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, make sure you pop in to Berardo's Bistro on the Beach. More about our trip in an upcoming post!
Life is short... all those you things you've been wanting to do... do 'em!
So, dear readers, do you make the most of every day and have you managed to do all those things you've been wanting to do, or are you part of the way through your 'bucket list'? Oh, and have you ever tried Sailor Jerry? Do tell!
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:56:17 pm
Cin cin, Rosa. 17/8/2014 10:58:54 pm
Well that sounds delicious Liz though I do chuckle at you two southerners swimming in the heated pool. Nothing marks tourists out to Queenslanders quicker than swimming in Winter! xx
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:56:48 pm
It is a keeper, Fiona... you are too funny... the pool was heated and it was 20 degrees! Why waste it. : )
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:57:04 pm
This is a dandy drop for any time of the year, Fran xo
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:57:17 pm
Cheers, David... so do I! 18/8/2014 10:44:15 am
Fresh sugar cane juice sounds so interesting! I would love to try this.
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:57:31 pm
It surely is, Mary Frances. Cin cin.
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:57:44 pm
Watching the movie, yes?
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:57:58 pm
I am hearing you! 18/8/2014 01:07:20 pm
I want to go... and I want one of these cocktails (and I'm not a dark rum drinker).
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:58:17 pm
I'm not a drinker, period, but this one took my fancy! 18/8/2014 02:43:09 pm
G'day Lizzy! Does life get any better than friends, oysters and cocktails? Great recipe that would love to try!
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:58:34 pm
Cheers Joanne, I'll drink to that! 18/8/2014 02:54:00 pm
This sounds like a swell drink! And not one I've heard of. Glad you had a chance to escape the cold weather!
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:58:49 pm
It is, John... and so am I!
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:59:01 pm
And cheers to you too, lovely Adri xo
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:59:14 pm
It is a good one, cheers! 18/8/2014 11:49:36 pm
I'm glad you had a lovely holiday. It certainly is wise to head north during the most bitterly cold months. I've been to Berardos but it wasn't on the beach but across the road from it and the entire restaurant was white including the walls, floors, tables and grand piano. Is this a new cafe? xx
Lizzy
4/9/2014 08:59:58 pm
Hiya Charlie... that's the Berardo's Restaurant... the bistro is on the beach... and both are brilliant... food, service, atmosphere, but particularly great food! 19/8/2014 12:45:06 am
Oh delicious Liz! I'll take a dozen each of the oysters AND cocktails please :)
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:00:12 pm
Yes, ma'am, coming right up! 19/8/2014 11:03:45 am
What a lovely cocktail flavour combo :D
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:00:23 pm
Thank you CCU... cheers. 19/8/2014 11:14:49 am
I'm so glad I stopped by, your description of your girlie day sounds absolutely wonderful...particularly the oysters and the cocktails. Quite a few restaurants in the city offer $1 oysters on Sundays and Mondays and we usually order a couple of dozen and only have that and a bottle of wine for dinner. And maybe some bread. But mostly wine and oysters. Your holidays sound fantastic.
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:00:59 pm
Wow, Eva, that is cheap... mine were $2 each, but well worth it. First afternoon I had wine, then I tried the cocktail. : ) Enjoying lunch with you and Peter at Berardo's on the Beach was the best fun! Should I tell everyone that you nearly drank Peter's Cane Cutter cocktail because you thought he was 'finished.' :) The food was delicious, the view spectacular and the friendship - perfect.
Lizzy
20/8/2014 10:46:29 pm
It was soooooooo lovely to catch up with you two! I treasure your friendship, Maureen. And, LOL about my drinking Peter's Cane Cutter... I had forgotten about that : ) 19/8/2014 05:05:41 pm
Wow, what a balance of flavours! Cheers!!!
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:01:12 pm
Indeed, Julie, cin cin.
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:01:36 pm
Hi Manuela, someone might sell it in Sydney. It freezes well by the way! 20/8/2014 01:25:15 pm
Cocktails at Noosa... sigh. That's what life's all about. And made with my fav rum, no less. I'll be making one of these come Saturday PM, that's for sure :)
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:01:51 pm
Absolutely, life is short, you know! Cin cin.
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:02:16 pm
Oh Liz, it was bliss.... that's what making the most of life is all about... do it while you can! Cin cin. 20/8/2014 03:34:59 pm
What a lovely way to spend a day in a beautiful spot. I've never tried Sailor Jerry - sounds very interesting, but I have tried fresh cane juice - it is sold at a few markets and fetes around Sydney. Quite a nice drink, I must say!
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:02:56 pm
Thanks Marty.... usually I cannot drink too much sugar cane juice... the sugar hit almost sends me spinning... true. But the small amount in this cocktail is essential. Cin cin. 21/8/2014 12:50:00 am
I forget it's winter three and then you mention snow. :) Love the sugar cane in this cocktail.
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:03:19 pm
Yes, it was bitterly cold at home when we were up north, Shuli.... cin cin. 21/8/2014 01:04:24 pm
Oh you mentioned this delightfully named beverage the other day, Ive not tried it, but will if ya think its the bomb. What a fun way to spend the day. Good to see you really chilled out and relaxed lovely one, just what the doctor ordered. :)
Lizzy
4/9/2014 09:04:15 pm
Oh Anna, I like the sound of a gratitude diary... I have one too, in my mind and my heart.... every day is a gift and I'm grateful to be 55 and still here in mind, body and soul. Yes, live life to the full, you have it all ahead of you, spring chicken! 5/12/2014 07:56:11 pm
Thanks Lizzy for the great blog. So many other fantastic things on your site! We are so glad you enjoyed the Cane Cutter @ Berados On The Beach. Just to let your followers know they can find us at Noosa Farmers Market Eumundi Markets and Yandina Markets on the Sunshine Coast every wknd. Warmest Regards Noosa Cane Juice
Marita
21/1/2017 01:45:37 am
I too have had the delight of drinking Cane Cutters at Berados. Just divine... I want to make them for our cocktail entree with oysters on Australia Day but can't make it to the Eumundi Markets before then! Is there nowhere else I can source sugar cane juice in Brisbane?? Now I am in a panic!!! Comments are closed.
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Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
Winner ABC's 2015 Australia Cooks competition,
ACT (mains category)
Meet the Chefs - recipes featured on Australian Asparagus Council website
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