NSW yo-yo legend Miles McKirdy creates NYC's first cannabis cocktail

McKirdy, who was raised in Cronulla, south of Sydney, is part of the team releasing the first cannabis-infused cocktail in The City That Never Sleeps.

The 36-year-old and his business partners created the canned sparkling beverages, called Flyers, during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The drinks provide an alternative to alcoholic refreshments so revelers can "thrive, free from hang-ups, hassles or hangovers", according to the advertising material.

The team spent 10 months perfecting the flavours with acclaimed mixologists, and three flavours have been launched as tributes to their namesake cities: Sydney, Tokyo and Brooklyn.

The Sydney Spritz Highball Sparkling Cannabis Cocktail features botanical bitters and mandarin, while the Tokyo Marg has flavours of yuzu, bitter orange and chili and the Brooklyn boasts oak, vanilla and bitters infusions.

But with cannabis illegal in all states and territories in Australia, the cocktails will remain on American shores for the time being.

McKirdy said he was a proud shire boy.

"I used to surf out at Shoes every morning with my brother Lewi McKirdy, former Triple J lunch time radio host," Miles said.

"In 1994 I won the South Cronulla Yo-Yo competition beating Rio Nassir - it's arguably my greatest achievement besides taking on NYC and launching this category-changing brand."

Miles recently returned to NYC from Atlanta where he oversaw the creation of 30,000 cans in the Flyers brand's first production run.

He has lived in NYC for six years, during which time he has worked with some of the world's biggest brands including Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Nike and Jameson Irish Whisky.

With the world soon to reopen for travel, Miles said he hoped some Sutherland Shire locals would be able to try his product in NYC soon.

The cannabis-infused cocktails have been featured on billboards in Times Square.