Shaun Byrne has been mixing drinks since he was legally allowed to – and has never really stopped. After spending four years working in restaurants and bars in Europe, he returned to Australia to become part of Melbourne's revered Gin Palace family. During that time he teamed up with winemaker Gilles Lapalus to start a business producing what has become the best regarded vermouth in Australia. As well, he joined coauthor Nick in a company called Marionette, and together they work directly with Australian farmers to make cocktail staple liquors.