The story goes that in 1919, at Caffe Casoni in Florence, Count Camillo Negroni asked his bartender friend to make his favourite tipple, the Americano – a mix of vermouth, Campari and soda – a little stronger. The mate obliged, swapping soda for gin and adding an orange segment. And that’s how the Negroni, as we know it today, was born. Balancing sweet and bitter flavours with its orange-red hue and citrus aroma, it’s a classic drink that’s great anytime, really (preferably after noon).
Now, Sydney has another bar dedicated to the beloved cocktail: Frankie Cadillac, located in a terrace on Albion Street, Surry Hills.
Frankie Cadillac is brought to us by the team behind Paddington’s beloved Italian hangout, Bootleg Social Lounge (formerly Bootleg Social). Owner Sam Overton makes sweet and dry vermouth from scratch, using botanicals sourced from across Australia, alongside his own Frankie Cadillac Gin. If it’s your first visit, Overton recommends the Classic Vintage Negroni, made with Campari from 1938 and 1970 and gin from 1950.
“It’s fu*king delicious. If you think you’ve had a good Negroni before, wait until you taste this. You’ll never go back,” he says.
There are 16 Negronis on the menu, including a Mexican Negroni with mezcal and a chocolate Negroni. Elsewhere, the drinks menu features signature cocktails with house-made syrups, liqueurs and juices. Highlights include Frankie’s Daiquiri (Bacardi white rum, bitter bianco, fresh lime, sugar and house-made passion fruit liqueur); Frankie’s Coconut Margarita (Espolon Reposado, coconut cream, lime and coconut syrup); and Frankie’s Espresso Martini (Sky vodka, house-made vanilla and coffee liqueur, espresso and agave). Rounding out the drinks list are natural wines, Spritzes, Yulli’s beers and house-made sodas.
Just like Bootleg, everything at Frankie’s is plant-based, though that’s not the main focus. Overton is just keen on cooking and serving delicious drinks and food. Expect salty, moreish bites that pair perfectly with booze, like potato gems with your choice of sauce, crumbed and fried olives stuffed with house-made ricotta, and mushroom arancini with house-made truffle mayo. Standouts include the tomato carpaccio, with vine-ripened tomatoes, shallots, capers, chives, guindilla peppers, house-made honey and high-quality olive oil; and the white beans on toast, doused in Bootleg’s vodka tomato sauce, chilli, and parmesan. Save room for dessert: there’s a fried gnocchi dish with honey, Dutch cinnamon, vanilla ice cream and house-made caramel on the menu.
Frankie Cadillac sits in good company, with one of our favourite wine bars, Bar Copains, just up the road and fellow Negroni haven Bar Conte a few blocks away. And while we can’t say for sure, we reckon Count Camillo Negroni would approve.
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