Après Ski at Zeta Bar, Sydney Hilton

Zeta Bar has been turned into a winter playground with the launch of Après Ski, turning the elegant bar into the go-to destination to enjoy warming winter tipples and seasonal food.

Renowned for its themed seasonal events such as The Secret Garden and Alto Tango, Après Ski at Zeta Bar in the Sydney Hilton is a celebration of the cold snap that has enveloped Sydney this winter.

Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.

A solid list of ten well-crafted cocktails tempt you to arrive early and snag a comfortable couch before the crowds. Start with The Nordic Martini ($19), a delicious cocktail made with Aquavit stirred down with Lillet Rouge, house vermouth and apple wood smoke, garnished with toasted thyme and flamed orange zest. Savoury and easy drinking even for a non Martini fan, you can easily find yourself ordering another.

Frozen ($22) is set to shock the senses with a blast of vodka thrown with liquid nitrogen and turned into a sorbet with fresh lime and ginger. The sorbet cocktail is a little low on flavour and would be better suited for summer.

The Toasted Marshmallow Gin Fizz ($19) is rightly described as “sipping on a cloud”. An adaptation of the Ramos Gin Fizz, the drink is gin-based, charged with orange flower water and garnished with a toasted marshmallow. It’s a crowd-pleaser and after you’ve sipped your way through the paper straw, the marshmallow goes down like a treat.

The Honey’d Highlander aka Fancy Hot Toddy ($19) is a mix of Johnnie Walker Black infused with stone fruits and honeycomb, served warm and garnished with cinnamon and star anise. Should you be a little under the weather, this warm drink is just what the doctor prescribed.

The star of the cocktail list is the Roasted Chestnut Rum Blazer ($25). Ron Zacapa 23 yo rum is blazed with toasted chestnut syrup and a mix of winter spices. The drink is warming and ticks all the right boxes for a delicious and well-balanced cocktail that is perfect as a night cap.

Should you be feeling peckish, the Spicy Roast Pork Burger with Tomato Relish and Coriander ($15) hits the right spot. But it’s wintertime at Zeta Bar so don’t forget to indulge in a Cheese Fondue ($18), Chocolate Fondue with Marshmallow and Strawberries ($22) or the Homemade Lollipops with Candy Floss ($45 for two).

Après Ski at Zeta Bar is the perfect antidote to the chilly winter season.

Zeta Bar
Hilton Hotel Sydney
Level 4, 488 George St
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9265 6070
www.zetabar.com.au

Après Ski at Zeta Bar launched on Friday 11 July 2014.