Sundrift Aperitivo arrives as the latest chapter in the Brookie’s x Cape Byron story, shaped by the same sense of place that defines everything from the distillery’s hinterland home. Co-founder Eddie Brook describes it as “where Byron Bay meets Italy,” a blend informed by sunlit days, coastal ease and a respect for tradition.
Three years in the making, Sundrift Aperitivo arrives as an unapologetically Australian interpretation of the classic Italian spritz moment. But this isn’t simply another bitter orange liqueur, it’s an ode to Byron Bay’s hinterland, its rainforest and its easy-breezy, sun-slowed way of living.
An Aperitivo Occasion with Byron Style
The seed of Sundrift was planted in a very specific feeling. Eddie describes it vividly, “as we’ve got the sun on our back and the sand between our toes, it is the perfect sort of place to enjoy that aperitivo sundown… a spritz occasion.”
For Eddie, the ritual of the afternoon drink is as much about connection as it is flavour. “Aperitivo for me is the perfect sundowner, that afternoon drink with friends. You’ve got the sun on your back and kissing your glass.”
He wanted a spirit that captured that sensation and could hold its own among the European staples we’ve long adopted in Australia. And so the idea of Sundrift was born, a local spritz that celebrates the unique flavours of native Australian botanicals while nodding respectfully to Italian technique.
The Flavour
When describing the taste of Sundrift, Eddie says “you’re going to meet an abundance of big, bold citrus.” On the nose, it’s luscious orange and pink grapefruit, on the palate, the freshness is immediate, bright fruit, balanced herbal complexity and a gentle bitterness that keeps you reaching for another sip.
The backbone begins with a base spirit distilled from Davidson plum and kumquat, then layered with classic bittering agents, gentian, wormwood and rhubarb root. But the citrus is the star. Sundrift uses hand-peeled Australian native orange, pink grapefruit peel and bitter orange, the trio that gives the aperitivo its unmistakable zing.
Then come the subtleties, or what Eddie describes as the “brushstrokes.” Native rainforest botanicals like Lilly Pilly and native raspberry appear softly, adding dimension without demanding attention.
Three Years in the Making
For a drink that feels effortless, Sundrift took enormous effort. Nearly three years of trial, error and fine-tuning went into the recipe, one of the longest research & discovery processes the distillery has undertaken.
“You go to Italy and these recipes are guarded by families for hundreds of years,” Eddie reflects. “There’s a really intricate balance of the different herbs and botanicals used there. And for us, that was the process we went through.” But the mission wasn’t complex for complexity’s sake. It was approachability.
“It’s not made to be a tasting complex, it is something you come back to time and time again. Why? Because it just tastes bloody delicious.” Says Eddie.
How to Drink Sundrift All Summer Long
Looking for the perfect way to sip your way into a Byron-meets-Italy state of mind? Here’s your new go-to ritual, straight from co-founder Eddie Brook himself. Save it, share it, drink it all summer long.
1 juicy wedge of orange
Finish with a cheeky splash of soda.
Crown it with a wedge of orange and pretend you’re barefoot at Byron’s golden hour.
Sip. Smile. Repeat.
A Local Challenger in a Global Spritz Market
The spritz craze shows no sign of slowing. As Eddie puts it “the spritz cocktail is one of Australia’s most popular cocktails, we absolutely love it.”
But Sundrift isn’t trying to replicate international staples. It’s here to offer something distinctly local, grown in Australian soil and made for Australian palates. “In Australia, we love local and we also love to know where our produce comes from.” Says Eddie. Sundrift leans into that truth, using pure flavour, nothing artificial and botanicals sourced from the rainforest the distillery is committed to regenerating.
As Eddie says, the proof is in the tasting. “We’ve been doing the Pepsi challenge of trialling it against other products. And the feedback has been pretty spectacular.
The Final Word
Sundrift Aperitivo isn’t just a drink, it’s a sense memory bottled. A summer afternoon. A barefoot moment. A bridge between Italy’s ritual and Australia’s landscape.
As Eddie says, “You could be literally sitting on the shores of the boot of Italy or at the Pass Beach in Byron Bay, and that SunDrift aperitivo will be an occasion for you.”
So this summer, gather your friends, grab a bottle of Sundrift, some Prosecco, a splash of soda, and a pile of ice.
The sun’s waiting. And so is your spritz.
About Cape Byron Distillery –
Located in the Byron Bay hinterland, Cape Byron Distillery is redefining Australian distilling by blending traditional methods with a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental regeneration. Set on a former dairy farm, the distillery sits within what was once the Big Scrub, Australia’s largest subtropical rainforest. Since 1988, founders Pam and Martin Brook have transformed the land by planting over 40,000 rainforest trees, restoring a vital ecosystem that now teems with wildlife. This regenerated landscape serves as both inspiration and pantry, with 17 of the 25 botanicals in Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin, such as native ginger, aniseed myrtle and Davidson plum, sourced from the surrounding rainforest. Seasonal changes shape the flavour of each spirit, from spring riberries and native raspberries to summer’s harvest of the rare Davidson plum, used in their signature Slow Gin.
More than just a producer of award-winning spirits, Cape Byron Distillery is a purpose-led business that gives back to its environment and community. The distillery is a proud supporter of the Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy, with co-founder Martin Brook serving as Vice President, advocating for rainforest restoration across the region. With a philosophy grounded in regeneration, excellence and place, Cape Byron Distillery is not only capturing the unique terroir of the Northern Rivers in every bottle, it’s writing a new chapter in the story of Australian spirits, where craftsmanship and conservation go hand in hand.
