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Clock Hotel, Surry Hills: Gin & Tonic Menu

Gin, once called Mother’s ruin and Dutch courage is currently enjoying a revival in the Sydney bar scene. The Clock Hotel in Surry Hills has taken a creative approach to the spirit that was once treasured for its medicinal purpose.

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Inspired by Spain’s dedicated tonicas (G&T bars), Jeremy Shipley, Group Bars Manager of Solotel has created an exciting Gin & Tonic Menu ($10 to $13) featuring 14 types of gin spanning America, Spain, Scotland, Holland, Australia and England. You’ll find Aviation, Bombay Sapphire, Sipsmith, Gin Mare, The Botanist, West Winds, No. 3 London Dry – all featured in our Top 10 Gins article – as well as Prairie Organic and Hayman’s Old Tom just to name a few.

The menu facilitates the choice by describing the flavour profile of each gin along with recommendations for garnish. Thinks Gin Mare from the Mediterranean with Basil and Olive and Hayman’s Old Tom with capsicum.

Shipley has also created a delicious barrel-aged Negroni with Plymouth Gin, Campari, Martini Rosso that has been aged for four weeks. The ageing gives the drink an oaky character and heightens the sweetness of the drink.

In addition to the new gin menu, you’ll find a new cocktail menu with well-crafted drinks to please various palates. The Hotel Georgia is a cocktail that dates back to the 50s and a take on a gin sour. Plymouth Gin (the house pour) is mixed with orgeat (almond syrup), fresh lemon juice, orange blossom, shaken with egg white and finished with freshly-grated nutmeg. The cocktail is light and fresh with a nutty character and makes a good option to start the night.

Those who prefer their drinks a little sweeter and fruity would enjoy the Autumn Crusta, made with Amaro Montenegro, Apricot Brandy, sweet Bianca vermouth, fresh lemon juice, peach bitters, orange sugar and rum.

The Clock serves tasty bar bites and larger dishes but you can’t go past the New York pastrami mini Cuban slider with beet relish.

The Gin & Tonic menu is available upstairs at the Balcony of the Clock Hotel.

Clock Hotel
470 Crown Street, Surry Hills
(02) 9331 5333
Hours: Mon to Sun 12pm–12am
clockhotel.com.au

About the author

Corinne Mossati

Corinne Mossati is a drinks writer, author of GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, SHRUBS & BOTANICAL SODAS and founder/editor of Gourmantic, Cocktails & Bars and The Gourmantic Garden. She has been writing extensively about spirits, cocktails, bars and cocktail gardening in more recent years. She is a spirits and cocktail competition judge, Icons of Whisky Australia nominee, contributor to Diageo Bar Academy, cocktail developer and is named in Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List. Her cocktail garden was featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has won several awards. She is a contributor to Real World Gardener radio program and is featured in several publications including Pip Magazine, Organic Gardener, Australian Bartender and Breathe (UK). Read the full bio here.

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