Cocktail Daily - Francis Ford Coppola | Apollonia, Sydney

Bourbon / Zucca Rabarbaro Amaro / Grada Coffee + Spirit / Cherry / Wattle Seed / Orange

Recognized by The World’s 50 Best Discovery, Apollonia is a subterranean masterpiece that redefines Sydney's speakeasy culture. Concealed in the basement of Hinchcliff House—a heritage-listed 19th-century sandstone wool store near Circular Quay—descending its steps feels like escaping modern Sydney into an evocative, old-world Sicilian romance.

Named after Michael Corleone’s ill-fated Sicilian bride in The Godfather, the bar channels the raw charisma of a romantic outlaw hideaway. The design preserves the building’s original rough-hewn sandstone walls and exposed brickwork, beautifully contrasted with plush custom leather banquettes and a sleek marble bar. Lit almost entirely by flickering candlelight, the atmosphere is cinematic and intimate. The ultimate ritual occurs at the stroke of midnight, when the charismatic bar team leads the entire room in a collective "Midnight Toast." Apollonia's cocktail menu unfolds like a theatrical play, and the Francis Ford Coppola serves as the ultimate showstopper in Act Four: Post-Theatre Nightcaps. Paying homage to the legendary director, this drink masterfully bridges worlds by combining the robust oak of American bourbon with the smoky, herbal bitterness of Italian Zucca Rabarbaro, elevated by the nutty essence of native Australian wattle seed. It’s a bold, sophisticated nightcap boasting deep oak, fruit, and nut profiles—delivering a mighty start with an incredibly soft finish.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense charred oak and rich caramel from the bourbon, seamlessly layered with roasted coffee notes, citrus oils from the orange zest, and a hint of toasted nuts.

Palate: Bold and full-bodied. The initial wave of sweet bourbon is beautifully counterbalanced by the complex, bittersweet herbal profile of the amaro. Dark cherry sweetness weaves through, while native wattle seed adds a distinct, velvety cacao and nutty texture.

Finish: Long, warming, and profoundly smooth. The bitterness of the coffee and amaro gently fades, leaving behind a soft, lingering touch of fruit and oak.

Overall: An exceptionally well-structured nightcap that mirrors the storytelling of its namesake director—starting with high drama and powerful character, but concluding with a beautifully comforting resolution.

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