Winter Cocktails at Palmer & Co

It’s been over three years since we reviewed Palmer & Co when it first opened and upon stepping down into the Prohibition style bar, it’s good to see that little has changed.

Palmer & Co

With its underground location and subdued warm tones, Palmer & Co. transports to an era of prohibition with its 1920s-style from the decor to the dapper uniforms of the staff and drinks.

Aeration

Everything at Palmer & Co is made in house, with the exception of the spirits. You’ll find house-made ginger beer, bitters, juices, liqueurs, vermouths and cordials.

12 Mile Limit

From the Prohibition Cocktails list comes the 12 Mile Limit ($19), a mix of Havana Club 7yo Cuban rum, Jim Beam rye whiskey, Hennessy VS Cognac, grenadine and fresh citrus. The cocktail is attributed to journalist Tommy Millard and takes its name from the U.S. law that banned the consumption of alcohol a dozen miles beyond its shores. A pegged note explains that since it’s not illegal to “own the hooch, only to sell it in the US, simply cruise out 12 miles”. The aperitif style drink is fresh and vibrant with notes of rum and citrus at the end.

The Blind Tiger

From the Signature Cocktails list, The Blind Tiger ($19) is set to please bourbon drinkers. Made with Makers Mark bourbon, oloroso sherry, homemade orgeat, cumquat, cardamom bitters , the drink is tall and refreshing and comes with candied walnuts and flamed baby’s breath as garnish.

The Liberal

From the Lost and Forgotten cocktails, fans of rye whiskey would enjoy The Liberal ($19) made with Jim Beam rye whiskey, Dolin sweet vermouth, aromatised amari, orange bitters and absinthe served over hand-chipped ice and garnished with an orange twist. This drink is a good sipper and retains its bold rye whiskey flavour with minimum dilution right till the end.

Fire and Brimstone

The next cocktail is not on the list at the moment but one that would appeal to tequila and mezcal drinkers. Fire and Brimstone is a take on a margarita made with Los Altos tequila, lemon juice, earl grey infused Cointreau and chilli infused orange bitters with a touch of mezcal. The hand-chipped ice block gets a light spray of Laphroaig. This agave-driven cocktail is beautifully balanced and lingers with smoke.

The Accidental Antidote

The Accidental Antidote ($19) is a clarified milk punch cocktail using French 75 as a base. You can read about how to make clarified milk punch here.

Doolins’ Memory

Saving the best till last, Doolins’ Memory ($19) combines Jameson Irish whiskey with punt e mes, a housemade cynar substitute (Fernet, Campari and Cherry Heering), chocolate bitters and green chartreuse, mixed by aeration and served in a vintage coupette with a half salt rim. Strong and balanced, the whiskey and chocolate are subtle in flavour and the interplay between the bitter and herbal components of the drink make it one worth ordering again.

Charcuterie and Cheese

If all that cocktail imbibing has left you hungry, there are Charcuterie and Cheese boards to snack on in between libations.

At Palmer & Co., it’s easy to forget the modern world above and travel in time to the 1920s with some of the finest crafted cocktails in hand.

Palmer & Co is featured in Sydney’s Best Winter Bars.

Palmer & Co.
Abercrombie Lane
Sydney NSW
merivale.com.au/palmerandco

Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.