The Plough's Cocktales & Recipes

Welcome to this week's Cocktail O'Clock. Today we head back 143 years to 1881 when local Myrniong resident Peter McCluskey took his betrothed Anne Farrell to St Patrick's Cathedral in Ballarat where he had a date with Father Meade who married the couple. Caught up with the romance, Peter neglected his current wife whom he had declared to have passed away, however, she was fit enough to attend the court hearing where Peter was charged with Bigamy! Peter submitted his best defence of being caught up in a drunken spree, however, the judge took little notice and sentenced him to two years imprisonment, where he served his time at Williamstown gaol. So today's cocktail gives me an excuse to celebrate one of the innocent parties in this tale: St Patrick! SHAMROCK SERENADE 45 mL  Jameson Irish whiskey 30 mL  Midori 15 mL  fresh lemon juice 15 mL  simple syrup Splash of soda water Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add Jameson, Midori, fresh lemon juice, and simple s...

Welcome to this week's Cocktail O'Clock. Today we recognise International Women's Day and raise a glass to all of the inspiring women who have passed through the doors of The Plough. Mary Ryan in 1866 who was the first female publican. Grace Purcell in 1882 Mary Kerr in 1891 And to Kate Foley who from 1901 became the longest serving publican at The Plough. To all of the other licensees, we salute you. And in particular, I would like to toast all of our female team members, suppliers, and customers over the years who have made The Plough what it is today. The Empower-Mint Cocktail – Cheers to all the incredible women making a difference in the world! Empower-Mint Cocktail 60mL N/A Gordons Gin 30 mL lime juice 15 mL Simple syrup 4-6 Fresh mint leaves Splash of sparkling water Ice cubes In a cocktail shaker, muddle the fresh mint leaves gently to release their aroma. Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for...

Welcome to this week's Cocktail O'Clock, where we enjoy a sip of history with a tale to share. Today we head back to November 1882 when, after a week or so of grand display in Mrs Simmon's Post Office store window, the Tea & Coffee Service gift, alongside a massive gold locket and chain, was presented to Mr and Mrs Lauder who were leaving The Plough Hotel after a four-year tenure, however they had spent many years before that in the region. The Lauders had purchased a Hotel in Romsey, and to recognise their contribution to Myrniong, a farewell presentation was led by Captain Grant and echoed by many others present, whose speeches acknowledged the services the couple had contributed, and that their leaving was "our loss and Romsey's gain". Happiness and prosperity were bestowed on the Lauders as they embarked on their upcoming clearing sale amidst fond farewells. And so today, we celebrate National Barista Day and recognise those who satisfy our cravings w...

Welcome to this week's instalment of Cocktail O'Clock, where we raise a glass to the past and toast to tales worth sharing.  Today we cast our minds back to the early days of Myrniong, when the area was referred to as Blow’s Flat – named after an early settler of the area. Major bushfires in February 1851 destroyed the Pentland Hills station of Mr Williamson and Captain Blow including their house, furniture, library of books and notes, and everyone’s clothing bar those they were wearing. Sadly, 2 flocks of sheep also perished. The loss exceeded £850, however with Captain Blow’s love of literature, his loss of books would have been the greatest toll. Heading into town to purchase clothing and supplies for himself and his station men, Captain Blow was met by Mr Powlett from the Police Station whose tent, fences and crops also received the same treatment of the fire. Fortunately for Mr Powlett, his house was saved. This week's cocktail is reputed to have been invented someti...

Welcome to this week's instalment of Cocktail O'Clock, where I offer you a postulated history of The Plough “barrel”. This French oak barrel originated as a sherry cask in Spain, potentially dating back to the late 18th century. The barrel, with its sherry contents, would have been sold to the wine merchants of London during the mid-19th century who were instrumental in exporting the much sought-after beverage throughout Europe. Once the sherry was consumed by the Poms, the empty barrel would have been sold to a Scottish distillery to age their whisky. Some time between 1880-1890 the barrel, full of Scottish whisky, was purchased by Brinds Distillery at Dunnstown, who used it to age their brandy after the Scottish whisky contents were sold. Around 1927, the Brinds Distillery moved their production to the Corio Distillery in Geelong where the barrel continued to be used for aging brandy. The empty barrel was sold in 1972 to a local winery where the barrel was filled with po...

Welcome to this week's instalment of Cocktail O'Clock, where we raise a glass to the past and toast to tales worth sharing.  Today, we journey back to February 1867, when a charming notice graced the classifieds of the local newspaper. It spoke of a heartfelt plea from someone who had lost their dog somewhere between Myrniong and Greendale – a large black and white Newfoundland, who answered to the name of "Romeo" & proudly wore his owner's name on his collar.  In a gesture of hope, a Ten Shillings Reward was offered to anyone who could reunite them. And now, for this week's tipple: the Love-Struck Romeo cocktail. A zero-alcohol delight, crafted to make hearts dance and set the mood for the upcoming Valentine's Day, on Wednesday, 14th February. Cheers to everlasting love and cherished moments shared together. Love-Struck Romeo 45 mL Lyres Highland Malt 15 mL Lyres Amaretti 15 mL raspberry cordial 30 mL cranberry juice 15 mL fresh lemon juice Fill a c...

Welcome to this week's Cocktail O'Clock, where we enjoy a sip of history with a tale to share Today we head back to the 1870s when a cheese factory was opened in Myrniong. This prompted the farmers to deliver all of their milk to the factory rather than make butter on their farms. This cheese factory operated for about 10 years until, ironically, it became a butter factory. The factory was bought by the Federal Milk Company around 1915 and they manufactured “Lifeguard Condensed Milk” before relocating the factory to Bacchus Marsh. And so to this week's Cocktail: Strawberry Creme. Here's cheers to the Dairy Farmers! Strawberry Crème 30 mL  Bacardi Rum 15 mL  Strawberry Liquor 15 mL  lemon juice 30 mL  pineapple juice 15 mL aquafaba 15 mL raspberry cordial GARNISH: 1 x pink marshmallow Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker  Add ice and shake hard for 15-20 seconds Strain ice out, then reshake for 10-15 seconds Pour into chilled  rocks gla...

Welcome to a new year at The Plough where head chef Mark Mills is entering his 15th year. He only has another 35 years to catch Kate Foley's record of being the longest-serving publican at this hotel! Today we head back to 1877 when land sales exceeded expectations, with some sceptical locals scoffing that the purchasers had paid too much! Some sales included:  – 6 acres on the Pentland Hills sold for £17 per acre  – The police barracks were purchased by the government for £220  – Mrs Ryan of The Plough Hotel snatched land within the township at the highest price of £54 per acre.  The sales caused a stir amongst the usually calm locals, with the expectation that the railway passing near the town would surely reward these savvy speculators. Today's cocktail raises a glass to another brave and inspirational character we caught up with recently: Presenting the Miss Ryan Cocktail, reflecting the deep blue sea with a shimmer of gold lining. Here's to another year of go...

Welcome to our final Cocktale O'Clock for 2023 – Santa's Sack. And just like Santa's Sack, this cocktail has something for everyone. Thank you for your support throughout the year. We are having our annual Christmas break to recharge and look forward to seeing you in the New Year. SANTA'S SACK 45mL  Spiced Rum (Captain Morgan) 30mL  Chocolate liqueur 22.5mL  VOK Crème de Menthe Liqueur 15mL  Frangelico Shake all ingredients with North Pole ice  Strain into chilled stemless glass GARNISH:  candy cane

Welcome to this week's Cocktail O'Clock, where we enjoy a sip of history with a tale to share. Today we look at a curious, if not pedantic, case held in the Bacchus Magistrate's Court in late 1946 when the licensee of The Plough Hotel in Myrniong, Kathleen Jones, was charged with supplying liquor on a Sunday and having persons on the premises, those persons being Jack Barry and William Densley. The court heard that Kathleen's husband, Cyril Jones (barman from Bacchus Marsh's Border Inn Hotel) gave evidence that he served Jack ginger ale with bitters, and William a shandy. The Licensing Police who attended the incident considered that the drinks' foam and aroma indicated that the contents were beer, which led to the charges. Apparently, after being discovered on the premises, the lads quaffed their bevvy. The Magistrate considered this act to be that of a guilty person, deferring his final decision for four weeks due to its unusual features! Kathleen was eventu...

Welcome to this week's Cocktale O'Clock, where we enjoy a sip of history with a tale to share. Today we remember famous horses who blessed our paddocks. In particular a most celebrated racehorse in Carbine, who frequently agisted at nearby Lerderderg Park. Local Pentland Hills storeowner Percy Gorman recalls feeding carrots to Carbine as a young lad in the late 1800s, and he spent many years working at the stables. Carbine's descendants include over half of the Melbourne Cup winners from 1914 to 1978 including Rising Fast, Think Big, and fellow Lerderderg Park resident Phar Lap. Makybe Diva and Winx can also be traced to Carbine. However, today I want to talk about one of Carbine's offspring – Spearmint, born in 1903. What he lacked on the racetrack, he made up in the Stud. Apart from Carbine, his pedigree included names such as Minting, Maid of Mint, Mint Sauce, and the classic-winning full siblings Minthe & The Lambkin! This leads me to this week's Cocktail of...

This week we take a look back at the inclement weather that Myrniong has always experienced, particularly after the deluge we have received over the past few days. During a thunderstorm in April 1907, William Hooton, who eventually took over the licence of the Myrniong Hotel before it was delicenced, had a horse killed by a lightning strike. A couple of years later, two thunderstorms, travelling from different directions, met over the Pentland Hills in March 1909. Almost 30mm of rain fell within 20 minutes, flooding the bare paddocks and filling the dams and creeks that had been bare for months. In January 1944 much-needed rain was delivered by way of heavy thunderstorms which replenished the local creeks, resulting in them running freely again. And what does all this have to do with this week's Cocktail: well, nothing other than today being the first day of Summer, which means Christmas is not far away. I offer you Santa's Hat. SANTA'S HAT 45mL  Citrus Vodka 15m...

Welcome to this week's Cocktail O'Clock, where we enjoy a sip of history with a tale to share. Today we look back at Black Friday, with a focus on the frequency of fires sparking my attention... 2 months before The Plough Hotel opened at this site in 1861, William Jenkin's Pentland Hotel, a weatherboard structure, was destroyed by fire due to the careless, yet accidental, use of a candle while preparing bedding for the night. Sadly, a lodger at the Hotel, ironically named Peter Burns, was burned to death, with several others escaping without harm. William Jenkins risked his own life and managed to save his children, but not all of his buildings. In July 1868 a large haystack belonging to Thomas Ryan, owner of The Plough Hotel caught fire. Enthusiastic neighbours quickly extinguished the flames before losing the entire stack. The fire was attributed to "frolicsome and mischievous children", who had access to lucifers while playing close to the stack. The Myrniong M...

Welcome to Cocktale O'Clock, where we blend a sip of history with a tale to share. Today we head back to the 1870s when, at one stage, John Tyson owned both of the hotels in Myrniong – The Plough Inn and the Myrniong Hotel. While he only owned the Plough Inn Hotel for around 12 years, the Myrniong Hotel was in his family for 46 years. After John's passing in 1887, his wife, Elizabeth, continued to own and operate the Myrniong Hotel, however, The Plough was promptly sold to Mr & Mrs Kerr for £1200. After Elizabeth died suddenly in September 1904, the licence was transferred to their youngest son, George and the Hotel was sold to Mr Mehrens, a carpenter from Ballan who happened to be married to George's sister, Fanny. 12 months on and the Hotel was again sold, this time to William Hooton, however, there was a glitch. Due to Mr Hooton's previous dismal conduct as a publican in Swanson Street, Melbourne, he received a stern lecture from the Superintendent granting the ...

Welcome to Cocktale O'Clock, where we blend a sip of history with a tale to share. This week we celebrate the crucial role that horses played in many aspects of daily life during the early days at Myrniong. The versatility of horses was elaborate. When they weren't being used in Agriculture, the Military, or all forms of Travel, they were being held up by brash bushrangers or posing as an artist's Muse! Today I want to celebrate the most famous stagecoach company, Cobb & Co., that connected rural settlements throughout Australia from the 1850s to 1920. During this period, horses were indispensable making them invaluable in every aspect of society and the economy. The introduction of motor vehicles, expanded railway networks and airmail rendered "horsepower" obsolete. Head Chef Mark approves! In 1861, with The Plough Hotel being established near Simmons' Store within the Myrniong township, it was a natural location for Cobb & Co.'s changing stabl...