When Melbourne’s “strengthened” lockdown restrictions deemed it illegal to slide your mask down to sip anything boozy outdoors, Footscray cocktail bar Trouble in Dreams switched up its offering to discourage locals from flouting the rules.

“That particular model of just shaking cocktails to order and putting them in takeaway coffee cups with the lip taped over … obviously became pretty much untenable,” co-owner Chad Parkhill says. “I genuinely considered just shutting it down. It felt irresponsible to operate unless we did something radical.” So, they did.

Instead of continuing the lemonade-stand-style pop-up, the team started packaging its cocktails “for home consumption, not street consumption”. By this stage of the pandemic, you’ve heard of finish-at-home meals. These are the cocktail version.

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Taking instructional (and branding) inspiration from Ikea, Trouble in Dreams is now selling “some assembly required” cocktails outside its Barkly Street digs. And they’re available for those within five kilometres from Thursday to Sunday.

Each nifty pack includes all the booze, mixers, garnishes and (of course) instructions you’ll need to make a bar-quality cocktail yourself. But initiative-takers be warned: “Like assembling flat-pack furniture, it pays to read the instructions beforehand!”

The cocktail list is 10-strong and includes everything from easy “pop-and-pour” options to more laborious drinks. The Hot’n’Sunny is a spicy, pineapple-infused take on the Dark’n’Stormy, while A Currant Affair (“not the Tracy Grimshaw kind,” says Parkhill) is a fun, fruity cocktail with a gin-and-calvados base and a snazzy ombre look. There’s also the one-off, more technique-driven Luxury Problems with truffle-infused Armagnac.

Pick up at 297 Barkly Street, Footscray, from Thursday to Sunday, 5pm to 8pm.

@troubleindreams

Melbourne is currently in lockdown. Masks are mandated in public spaces, public gatherings are banned and minimal social contact is recommended. If you have concerns about visiting businesses or public spaces, or questions about self-isolation or coronavirus testing, check out the latest updates from the Department of Health and Human Services.