Frankie Cadillac
Surry Hills has a new "home of the negroni", where you can take an unconventional cocktail journey into a world of house-made vermouth.
Overview
Draped in jewel tones, with antique lighting sconces, Victorian wallpaper and exposed brick, this corner bar's cosy, speakeasy vibes perfectly match the spirit of its signature drink – the negroni. There are plenty of places in Sydney where you can find a damn decent version of this ever-popular cocktail, but the Frankie team raises the bar with a new dimension of craftsmanship, making everything they serve in-house, from its gin and other base liquors to its syrups and cordials, and most importantly, its vermouth.
Owner Sam Overton spent "over a year, thousands of dollars and countless hours" perfecting his sweet and dry vermouth recipes. The result? A negroni like no other — and with 16 variations of the classic cocktail available on the menu, you can be sure to find one to suit every taste. Opt for the OG classic or branch out with one of the bar's more unconventional creations like the strawberry sour and the Mexican negroni — a spicy spin with margarita energy. And we can't forget the internet favourite – the Sbagliato (with prosecco). If you're struck with choice paralysis, Frankie's tasting flight gives you the opportunity to explore the variety of flavours offered by its homemade ingredients.
Though the negroni is the star of the show, be sure to show the bar's list of 16 alternative cocktails some well-deserved love. Whether you're after something familiar or looking to try something new, Frankie's cocktail list has you covered. A classic Old Fashioned might be your go-to or why not choose from the menu's four fruity margarita variations. For something off the beaten path, consider the Penicillin or the Porn Star martini. And like everything else at Frankie's, the wine list is carefully crafted, filled with natural drops selected to pair beautifully with the bar menu.
Eats and sweets are as plentiful and well-made as Frankie's cocktails, with the stand out being the house-made gnocchi – available for dinner or dessert (yes, you read that correctly). A variety of classic bar bites like garlic bread, bruschetta and olives are also on hand for peckish punters, but if you're looking for something more substantial, try the mushroom truffle arancini, the tomato carpaccio, or the stand out vodka beans on toast.
Sydney's small bar scene is one of the best in the world, but behind this reputation is a collective of tireless bartenders pushing the envelope of what a bar can and should be. "Negronis have been my favourite drink for as long as I can remember," says Overton. "Three years ago, I set out to create the tastiest vermouth possible, and I'm proud to say I did it. You won't find a negroni like Frankie's anywhere else".
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