The name Eau de Vie literally translates to "water of life" in French, although it is also the name…read moreused for a wide variety of distilled, fruit-based liquors. In Sydney, Eau de Vie is better translated as a dim and sultry bar responsible for some of the most creative cocktails in the city.
Make reservations, and consider coming during the week when the crowds may be a bit more tolerable. They also boast some specials such as $1 Islay oysters on Thursdays and in Whiskey and Cheese Wednesdays. The Wednesday special is a particularly great deal as 40 AUD gets you a pairing of 5 cheese and 5 whiskies. On our visit, we managed to get lucky with Japanese Suntory whiskey night. Getting to compare the Chita Grain, Suntory Kakubin, Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu DR, and Yamazaki DR side by side was not only a treat for the palate, but made it easier to identify distinctive differences between each.
The cocktails themselves come with quirky names, and list of unique ingredients. Lapsang Souchong, red miso, and even Parmesan were used to compliment the various liquors. Most importantly, they manage to slay on the taste in addition to the creativity factor. Not sure how long they stay on the menu, but for example the Black Lantern (Laphroaig 10 yo whiskey, Chivas 12 yo whiskey, coconut and red bean milk, with salt and sesame) was a well balanced masterpiece. The Popcorn Flip (Martell VS Cognac, Curaco, White Chocolate, Honey, Egg, Popcorn; Served Up) was like dessert in a glass.
For those looking to pair their drinks with a bit more, Eau de Vie has small "Grazing" items such as potato croquettes, and pork terrine. Also,they offer larger "Plates" like steak slider (severed with 3) or scallops on the half shell. If all that wasn't enough to whet your palette, they adtionally have either single serve selections of meat and cheeses or tasting boards with an assortment of items ready to order. All in all a solid selection to savor alongside your drink of choice.
While finding the speakeasy-esque bar off the street may not be the easiest feat, it is certainly worth the effort to do so.