Surry Hills cocktail bar and restaurant Bartolo has something special for us for The Australia Issue! Their ‘Falling in Love’ cocktail comes from the venue’s latest seasonal cocktail list by Grazia di Franco. It’s infused and garnished with various native gum leaves – is there any more of an Australian fragrance than the scent of the bush after a heavy rainfall? In fact, Bartolo’s entire original cocktail list at the moment is an ode to Australia in the springtime! As with all drink recipes on their menu, ‘Falling in Love’ is designed to be low ABV – meaning you can enjoy a few and not end up missing any of the special life moments from the night before, the morning after.

Bartolo itself is a celebration of owner Jared Merlino’s family. So it’s fitting that your own extended family will feel right at home here. The cosy, old world-styled space can cater to up to 50 people and there’s also a private dining room for more intimate occasions (a food-focused elopement may be on the cards, perhaps?)

Falling in Love by Bartolo

  • 30ml butter vodka
  • 30ml strawberry gum infused Mancino Bianco vermouth
  • 20ml Dubonnet
  • 15ml strawberry syrup
  • 10ml verjus
  • fresh eucalyptus leaf, to garnish

Pour all ingredients – aside from garnish – into the smaller side of a Boston shaker tin. Add ice to the larger side of the tin and rapidly pour the ingredients back and forth between the two tins to achieve the ideal chill and dilution. Strain the ingredients into a double Old Fashioned glass over a large block of ice. Place a single fresh eucalyptus leaf (try to find one shaped like a heart – awww) on top of the ice block.

About Ms Fleur De Lys: Aside from being Ms Polka’s Editorial Assistant, Ms Fleur de Lys is also Polka Dot Bride’s Melbourne correspondent so you’ll see her running all over town finding wedding inspiration. As both a lifestyle journalist and cocktail aficionado, Fleur appreciates the power of words whipped up as deftly as a good martini.