In a city of bars the choice for our best bar is always challenging. Bars offer cocktails, some offer just wine, some serve us both. While we love our down and divey, this year we headed to an hotel for our elegant best bar of the year.
The history of cocktails is intricately linked to hotel bars but that's not the only reason we chose GRAIN at The Four Seasons Sydney as Sydney Bar Of The Year.
Since joining GRAIN as bar manager at the beginning of last year, we've observed Roderick Boerma gradually making changes, and stepping into his stride. Boerma from Amsterdam, has embraced his new country.
“There’s a boom in local products, especially Australian spirits. There are some fantastic new Tasmanian whisky options, and we’re seeing incredible Australian white rye gins” he smiles knowledgeably.
He's also taken local a step further as he leads the GRAIN team in making a huge range of bespoke syrups inhouse that include: Rosemary, Habanero, Simple, Honey, Vanilla, Dark Vanilla, Dark Sugar Syrup, Raw Sugar Syrup. Kafir Lime Leaf Syrup, Cinnamon Syrup, and Lychee- Lemon Thyme Syrup, in an ever growing list.
GRAIN cocktails are sensational and updated seasonally, and now it's not just Roderick who decides on the mix. Adding to the reasons for choosing GRAIN as the Sydney Scoop Bar Of The Year, Roderick encourages collaboration within the crew, so the diverse cocktail list has in fact been created by the whole team.
Here's the current list and which team member is behind each cocktail:
His Last Drink - Diego
Coconuts - Matheus
The Bitter Truth - Uros
A Floral Suprise - Uros
Kentiki - Uros
Grain Signature Martini - Roderick
A Pirate Wearing A Dress - Roderick
Fritz - Emanuelle
The Blackberry Is A Trick - Roderick
H75 - Dominic
Basil Smash - Roderick
Honeylicious - Roderick
GRAIN cocktails are subtly complex and delightfully different. Take the choice of the blackberry as example, rather than more obvious summer fruit choices. Basil is peak season right now too. But my personal favourite has to be A Pirate Wearing A Dress (don't ask - just try it).
Of course, if you love a classic - just ask.
But don't think it's only about cocktails at GRAIN. We've been known to sip our favourite champers (Louis Roederer sitting at the bar was my birthday aperitif of choice), rose, white, and red here.
Beyond the delicious drinks there's also food to match from snacks to more substantial bar appropriate bites all fulfilling the same local seasonal philosophy.
Congratulations GRAIN here's looking at you kid!
