Step inside Miss Lilian, nestled at the edge of Katoomba’s misty escarpments, where lantern light shimmers through lacquered wood and the scent of spice drifts softly through the air. Here, the rhythm of the Blue Mountains meets the warmth of Southeast Asia - a dance of colour, flavour and spirit. Every dish and drink tells a story of balance and adventure, inviting you to linger a little longer, to savour each moment as if it were the first.
Behind the bar, Thao Quynh Tran, Miss Lilian’s talented mixologist, brings her own artistry to this sensory tapestry. Her signature creation - the Szechuan Sour - is not merely a cocktail, but a lively celebration of contrast and connection, a perfect prelude to the culinary journey that awaits.
A Cocktail with a Spark
The Szechuan Sour is a study in balance - sweet, sour and just a touch electric. It begins with the smooth, earthy warmth of sugarcane rum, its tropical richness forming the heart of the drink. To this, tamarind adds a sticky, ripe depth, while salted plum brings a subtle savoury note that lingers intriguingly on the palate.
It’s the Szechuan pepper - lively, tingling, unmistakably bold - that elevates the cocktail into something truly memorable.
The result is a drink that tingles, teases and refreshes all at once - a playful dance of flavours that awaken every sense. Much like Miss Lilian itself, it’s spirited, surprising and entirely unforgettable.
The Craft of the Szechuan Sour
Prepared with the precision of a master and the heart of an artist, Thao’s process is as captivating as the cocktail itself. Each pour, stir and garnish is performed with quiet confidence, a reflection of her passion for balance and her respect for the ingredients she wields.
The Szechuan Sour arrives bright and inviting, its amber hue glowing like sunset over the mountains. A delicate citrus aroma rises from the glass - fresh and exotic - hinting at the layers beneath. The first sip is a revelation: the gentle heat of pepper meets the tang of tamarind, while salted plum hums beneath like a steady note of umami harmony. It’s refreshment with attitude - bold, yet beautifully poised.
Crafted to Complement the Miss Lilian Experience
Just as every dish at Miss Lilian carries the essence of fire, spice and comfort, the Szechuan Sour is designed to accompany and enhance that journey. It shines especially when paired with the Thai crispy beef salad - a house favourite. Together, the cocktail’s sweet-and-sour vibrancy mirrors the salad’s tangy brightness, while its gentle spice complements the dish’s crisp textures and fragrant herbs.
This is where Thao’s understanding of food and drink alignment truly shines - her cocktail doesn’t compete with the cuisine; it completes it.
Drink with Curiosity
There’s a certain theatre to the Szechuan Sour - not of smoke or spectacle, but of sensation. Each sip builds upon the last, coaxing your senses into deeper discovery. The tingle of pepper, the whisper of plum, the sweetness of rum - they come together in a crescendo that feels both familiar and new.
"Every ingredient has a reason,” Thao says with a smile. "I want people to taste the journey - to feel it.”
They do, because the Szechuan Sour isn’t just about what’s in the glass, but the feeling it leaves behind - that spark of curiosity, that warmth that lingers like a fond memory.
