There’s something comforting about stepping out of La Cross and into Hinky Dinks in Darlinghurst. The retro black and white chequered tiles, red vinyl seats and kitsch decor instantly transports you to a bright 1950’s local American diner. Amongst the kitsch lampshades and pineapples you’ll find a friendly team serving up American-Mexican inspired eats and killer cocktails – the beverages are the main reason we’re here tonight.
Meet Jimmy Irvine – Hinky Dinks bar manager, cocktail genius and genuine nice guy. Mr Irvine is one of the five finalists to represent Australia in the BACARDÍ Legacy Cocktail Competition. His cocktail creation ‘The Old Man and the Daiquiri’ plays on Bacardi’s own legacy and one of Ernest Hemingway’s most notable books ‘The Old Man and the Sea’. Well known for his love of drinking Hemingway spent three decades between Cuba and America, the daiquiri was his favourite – and coincidently Jimmy’s too.
This isn’t the kind of sickly slushy daiquiri you get from a pool-side bar. We’re talking classics baby, shaken not blended. The Hemingway Daiquiri recipe of white rum, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit juice, lime juice and sugar has been given a touch of champagne and Jimmy has swapped the grapefruit for pomegranate. The Old Man and the Daiquiri is seriously refreshing. The bubbles wake up your taste buds and then BAM hello zesty lime. Perfect for quenching your thirst in Sydney’s current hot and wet weather.
What goes with cocktails? Food of course and more cocktails. Hinky Dinks eats menu is split into ‘Tiny Bites, Snack and Sides, Tacos, Burgers and Sandwiches, To Share and Desserts. We chow down on beetroot chips, crunchy polenta chips (coated in rosemary, sooo good), pulled pork tacos with piccante mayo and shredded cabbage and a jalapeno cheeseburger. We chased this down with a florally Gin ‘n’ Jam cocktail. The burger looks small in size but it’s mighty in taste and has a nice hit of spiciness from the jalapenos. Hinky Dinks offers a deal every day of the week and a favourite has got to be Trailer Park Tuesdays – grab a burger, a shot and a beer for $20. Your wallet just did a happy dance.
Hinky Dinks is the kind of bar your bartender goes on their night off. Take your mates, dates and hey just go in by yourself – Dan, Jimmy and the team will make you feel incredibly welcomed. Try The Old Man and the Daiquiri for yourself, it’s included on Daiquiri Thursdays where all daiquiris are only $15 pop.
This is Jimmy’s first time as a finalist in a cocktail competition so show him some love by liking The Old Man and the Daiquiri’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/theoldmanandthedaiquiri?fref=ts.
The Barcardi Legacy finals are being held in Sydney on 4th March and the winner will represent Australia in Moscow.
The Old Man and the Daiquiri
45ml Bacardi Superior
20ml lime juice
10ml maraschino liqueur
10ml pomegranate syrup
20ml champagne (Jimmy uses Borambala)
Put everything except the bubbles into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake it like a polaroid picture.
Strain over a handcut ice cube into a suitable vessel, leaving enough space to add the champagne.
Add champagne and decorate with a maraschino cherry and lime zest on a skewer.
