The bartender

Mel Hack

Whisky and Alement

Mel Hack has worn many different hats throughout her 10 years in hospitality. Internationally recognised for her commitment to sustainability, as backed by a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science, and awarded for her advocacy work around women, neurodiversity, and LGBTQI+ communities in hospitality, Mel can now be found talking, serving, and mixing single malts at Whisky & Alement, which was voted World’s Best Whisky Bar in 2023.

What first drew you to bartending, and what keeps you passionate about it today? 

I worked as a barista, section waiter, and restaurant manager by the time I was 18 years old. I’d never been allowed behind the bar until that point, but I always watched from afar and admired the bartenders and their quick pace. I saw a lot of what I did as a barista reflected in their work. I also wanted to become a chef from the age of seven, always viewing bartenders as front-of-house chefs and appreciating how they worked with flavour. I just loved it.

The hero cocktail

Honey, I waxed the…Cork!

Ingredients

• Maker's Mark Bourbon

• Guava & Whey Osmosis 

• Faux Barley & Honey Ferment

• Soda Water

Like this cocktail? The full recipe can be found in Top 25 Bartenders Australia. Get your copy by clicking the button below.

The bar

Whisky and Alement