It’s that time of the year again. With the Singapore Cocktail Festival almost upon us, it’s time for you to ditch your usual martinis/margaritas/mojitos and try something new (read: not basic). The annual fest has loads to offer — including cocktail workshops, mixes by guest bartenders and parties around town — but if the thought of sipping on an unfamiliar drink puts the fear of the heavens in you, we’re here to help.
Check out these four concoctions — all available at participating bars — made with ingredients that may or may not be what you’re used to. Try ’em out, and if that becomes your worst mistake of 2017, your good old martinis/margaritas/mojitos will still be waiting for you at your favourite watering hole.
De Novo, $14
Get it at Bar & Billiard Room, Raffles Singapore
Hailed as the oldest bar still standing in its original location in Singapore, this elegant space is known for its extensive selection of whiskies — you’ll find about 400 labels here, with several limited edition ones imported from across the globe. So naturally, the cocktail to try is a blend of Glenmorangie whisky with apricot liqueur, dry vermouth, peach bitters, mascarpone and star anise foam.
Eastern Remedy, $18
Get it at The Horse’s Mouth
For a secret escape into a concrete-walled, dimly-lit space filled with eclectic touches, head down to the Japanese izakaya bar and sip on this mix of gin, yuzu sake, camomile tea syrup, lemon, passion fruit and shiso flower.
Kopi cocktail, $14
Get it at Nutmeg & Clove
Asian flavours and spices play a big part in the concoctions of this locally-influenced bar, which features a menu that garners inspiration from the various eras of Singapore’s history. So of course you gotta try the kopi cocktail, made of Remy Martin VSOP, Malaccan coffee bean-infused ruby port, egg yolk and syrup.
Uncle Negroni, $14
Get it at Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Cantonese cuisine at Mitzo is anything but traditional. And its cocktail menu goes the same route with Asian-inspired unique creations such as Uncle Negroni, a potion cooked up with red date-infused Bols Jenever, Vermouth del Professore and bitter campari aged in an oak barrel for a month.
Singapore Cocktail Festival 2017 is on from Mar 16-21.
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