“On Fridays I prefer my Espresso in a Martini”

Happy Friday!

It’s been a long week – getting back into the grind of things post summer break. One thing that is getting me through these long days back at work is this sunshine. How bloody good is Sydney at the moment?! Blue skies, warm nights, lazy mornings, fresh

seas – it couldn’t be better.

I don’t know about you but that combination of all things summer just screams – COCKTAIL TIME/ SPRTIZ IN THE SUN/ ROSE ALL DAY EVERYDAY/ WHERE IS MY MARTINI? et al. You get the picture.

So I got myself thinking, why not just embrace this goodness and forget about the foreseen hangovers and diet plans and embrace this time of year!

Over the past week I’ve checked out some top notch venues in Sydney and slurped and swigged my way through their cocktail lists.

So, here are my top cocktail pics:

Hacienda Sydney, https://haciendasydney.com.au/ @haciendasydney

I started the night with a Fading Light – a beautiful blend of vodka and watermelon. And WOW what a fresh cup of goodness! A great way to start any occasion – sweet but not too sweet – went down treat. The watermelon wasn’t too overpowering. This tasty cocktail did not last long!

I finished with a classic – an Espresso Martini, but not the standard. Hacienda take things up another level and have curated the delectable Campfire Espresso Martini. Featuring marshmallow-infused vodka, coffee liquor & marshmallow syrup finished with two toasted ooey-gooey marshmallows! I mean come on! It can’t get any better than that?! And if you’re not already salivating, it tasted as good (if not better) than it sounds! Check this bad boy out!

Look how perfectly toasted those marshmallows are! I would have to admit, it’s the best Espresso I have ever had. Its nostalgia takes you right back to your last camping adventure – huddled around a campfire, roasting the sweets on sticks found on the nearby ground.

If you’re an espresso lover, or needing an afternoon pick me up, the Campfire Espresso Martini at Hacienda is the one for you.

Rosé Royale, Potts Point https://www.roseroyalesydney.com.au/ @roseroyalesydney

My new favourite local and the world’s first dedicated Rosé bar! Potts Point has some fantastic restaurants, bars and cafes. Rosé Royale is settling in very nicely. They offer multiple Rosés by the glass from all over the world and the owner, Jerome, is fantastic – his passion and love for Rosé is infectious.

I’ll talk about the wine another time, as it is deserving of its own post.

Frosé. Everyone has heard of it. And it's front of mind when a thirst quenching drink is required on a hot day. Rosé Royale do a beautiful Passionfruit & Pineapple Frosé - (almost) too pretty to drink. Check out how cute it is.

Another tipple on their Rosé cocktail list, is the classic Aperol Spritz. Rosé Royale use sparkling Rosé in place of the common Prosecco and it goes down a treat! Even more delicious than the classic? You can be the judge, but I recommend it. It also comes in a goblet, so what’s not to love about it?

If you’re a Rosé lover, look no further than Rosé Royale – the cute garden environment is a best way to unwind.

Bel & Brio http://belandbrio.com.au/ @belandbrio

This classy Italian establishment is the perfect date night set up. Barangaroo-based Bel & Brio offers a unique food and wine emporium.

If you’re there for drinks, head straight to bar which has a funky feature wall of whiskeys from all over the world.

The cocktail list is simple yet classic, they will also take any request. The bar tenders offer great conversation and are happy to provide recommendations. They’ll also give you pistachio nuts (and refill them when you finish) to nibble on – added bonus!

We started out cocktail journey with the classic Martini – gin, shaken with an olive. Timeless, delicious, and a great start to any evening.

The Whiskey Sour was our next choice – it was divine! It was balanced perfectly, and the best Whiskey Sour I have ever had.

Next up we ordered the Charlie Chaplin, another classic with gin, lime juice & apricot brandy. It looked gorgeous and was garnished with a dehydrated lime.

We were enjoying ourselves so much, that we had to have just one more. After mulling over the choices, we already had and the decision to try something new. Our mixologist suggested a Sanpellegrino Negroni. It finished the night off perfectly.

If you’re looking for a great, intimate bar setting with mixologists who really know their stuff – Bel & Brio is for you!

Thirsty now? Go and enjoy these three great places!

If you have any questions let me know, otherwise more soon.

J x