Showing posts with label sgcocktailweek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sgcocktailweek. Show all posts
Singapore Cocktail Festival 2017: Chasing Stars (or Guest Bartenders) Part 1
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
cocktails,
festivals,
food festival,
sgcocktailfest,
sgcocktailweek
·
The pivotal moment for me in my cocktail foray came when I first took a deep incestuous whiff of that Kaya Toast Cocktail at Bitters and Love (as if recreating scenes of smothering myself in Naz's smooth locks. I think I'm going to need a moment). That was many moons ago, my love for sweet things dwindling down to a dull but omnipresent mode; the fixation switching tides to tipples that are a bit more persuasive, more lethal. But, you're not here to listen to the story of my journey to alcoholism. You're here to read up about my recommendation for this 6 mad days of a journey to a thousand tipples.
If you haven't already heard (where have you been?), Singapore Cocktail Festival comes back with a bang this year, with the same mad-house antics of International guest bartender shifts and workshops happening all around town with the exception of the Festival Village on 99 Beach Road working as the heart of the festivities. No more wristbands. Good God!!! Just good old bar-hopping sans the restrictions of having to manage expectations with $14 cocktails. That being said, most bars will be running promotions on the specialty cocktails curated just for the festival, so do keep a look out at all the 45 participating establishments dotting the island.
[Singapore Cocktail Week 2016] Top 10 Cocktails you must try: Part 2
Labels:
cocktails,
events,
sgcocktailweek
·
1) Charles Muse (Neon Pigeon)
Mark Graham Thomas, previously of Bacchanalia bar and general manager of Club39 has nestled at Modern Izakaya, Neon Pigeon parked on the once sleazy street of Keong Saik this SGCW. His preference for savory concoctions over sweet proving to be quite a challenge for the average palate to wrap their beak around; but truth be told, the Charles Muse, inspired by comfy carrot soup and the infamous Hot&Cold from Operation dagger is effin' delicious. Carrots are cooked down, with fennel, caramelised onions and a good measure of salt for that savoury element and blended to a umamified soup which is then shaken with tanqueray gin. The foam that glides effortlessly above the drink consisting of fresh apricot puree and cream together with fat-rushed rum for that buttery edge.
2) Rock and Rye (Operation Dagger)
A well hidden space - a basement off the hustle and bustle of Ann Siang Hill - Operation dagger is practically a speakeasy. Here the Rock and Rye impresses, enlivened with ruby tones of seasonal stonefruit and oils expertly wrung from generous peels of lemon.
3) Swizzle with Swagger (Anti:dote)
A curious concoction with a good hit of local flavors, the Swizzle with Swagger combines Black monkey rum, gula melaka Falernum; which upon further investigation is a Carribean type spiced syrup cooked with gula melaka and tons more asian spices; and lime served with crushed ice. Too easy to drink if not for its crushing alcoholic effects masked by an innocent sweet facade.
4) All Shall Perish (HOD)
Highly recommended, the All Shall Perish comes fortified with subtle notes of ash and chocolate from the Mezcal, dashes of coffee brown Rabarbaro Nardini (rhuarb apertif) as well as Rhubarb bitters scenting the mix with a bodacious herbal drive. Great for those who love their tonic soups.
5) Sesame Street (Tess Bar)
Quite the charmer, sesame street, concocted by Diageo Reserve World Class S.E.A Bartender '2015, Steve Leong is perfectly balanced. Smoked Black sesame seed lacing the glassware wafts up memories of breakfast - peanut butter sandwiches, but it soon matures with a sip of the Old Fashioned inspired brew - Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon with orange bitters. Those interested in more local concoctions should head down to Timeout's kopitiam styled Jio You Cocktail Club where Steve Leong will be shaking up drinks, inspired by what else? - hawker fare. We've got Crab those Buns and pandan and coconut infused barley water medley Seah Street Power Nasi Lemak on the bucket list!
And there you have it... our Part 1 and 2 of the Top Cocktails to revel in the last two days of Singapore Cocktail Week 2016. So go forth and grab a drink of two; besides its friday night, there's really no excuse too. Or follow us on @thedrinkseekers Instagram for updates!
[Singapore Cocktail Week 2016] Top 10 Cocktails you must try: Part 1
Labels:
cocktails,
events,
sgcocktailweek
·
Here's our pick of the lot. Needless to say, this 8 day mothership of cocktail-focused gatherings featuring international and local bartenders helming the bars with their wacky creations will lead to an alcoholic chase like non other. However, we would strongly suggest these beverages for the everyday enthusiast, you bet your bottom dollar they will be worth your while.
1) Juliet's Secret (Manhattan Bar)
Senior bartender Cedric Mendoza translates family tradition through his submission for round two of the Diageo World class competition based on the fruit and plant theme with the Juliet's Secret. A rum based concoction, combining sublime Ron Zacapa 23 with Pedro Ximenez, homemade Pistachio Orgeat syrup and fresh lime juice. Brimmed on all sides with a trio of dehydrated tomatoes, mushroom and pineapple dust; this refreshing drink with a creamy edge transmutes itself depending on which way you sip from the glass.
2) Monkey Business (La Maison Du Whisky)
Trust the whisky fanatics at LMDW to work their magic with a bottle of Monkey Shoulder. Combining Gin, Sloe Gin, simple syrup, lemon juice a pinch of salt and lavender. The Monkey Business contains no soda of any sort, deploying an egg white instead to supply a frothy tingle.
3) Boston Tea Party (Jim Meehan, PDT)
Complex, balanced and dangerous. Layers and layers of new sensations arise as the sencha green tea and Bittermens boston bitters rise above the base spirits of Banks 5 Island Rum and dry vermouth - creating a symphony of colors, if only for a brief moment before residing to its alcoholic roots. Stunning. Watch out for PDT (Please Don't Tell) resident bartender, Jim Meehan guest shift at The Cufflink Club later tonight, 15th March.
4) Ratu Pa Lo (Long Chim)
A single cocktail from their SGCW menu effectively makes this new revamped bar at Long Chim one to seek out. The alcohol force is strong in this one, so let the good times roll. Rum, gin and five spiced syrup are smoothed with velvety froth, the fresh mandarin infused with egg white conjuring up memories of mango lassi.
5) Rye Dynasty (Gibson Bar)
Ever wondered what a negroni taste like at the end of a drunken night? This drink would be most certain to wake up even the sleepiest drunk. A twist on the classic drink sends the tongue careening into new frontiers, Rye Whisky meets Creme de cassic, cocchi Americano and bitters in a stiff cocktail adventure. Best one for a night cap.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our list to be published nearing the end of the working week or follow us on Instagram @thedrinkseekers to catch a glimpse of the action.
[Singapore Cocktail Week special]: The Vagabond Bar
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
cocktails,
girls night out,
hidden finds,
jalan sultan,
must go,
romantic,
sgcocktailweek,
will return
·
Singapore Cocktail Week kicks off to a roaring start this weekend with a great many events, workshops and guest bartender shifts to please both the novice drinkers and industry peeps alike. Amidst a flurry of activities and slurred words to ensue, there is Vagabond Hotel, tucked away in the seemingly forgotten part of Jalan Sultan. This ostentatious boutique hotel needs no introductions, it's seductive yet clearly artsy direction scoring points on my staycation chart, earning it a place in the Top 5 Trendiest staycations in the City list. Similarly, the resident bar veers away from the textbook, hotel lobby bar. No tiki cocktails nor cliched alcoholic punches are insight here. Instead, the bartenders dig deep, procuring brands that are hard to find and beyond the comprehension of most common tastebuds, till a sip of the forbidden potion reveals that inner snob in most of us.
Specially for cocktail week this year, Vagabond bar has churned out a grand 5 cocktails for at a reasonable $14++ only. With the usual suspects stripped off from the regular cocktail menu and a few exciting additions to make up the coveted list, you'll be assured a exciting if not gustatory experience at the bar, honed by ostentatious mad men vibes and a 'monkey on your back'. Unfortunately, only holders of the wrist-bands will reap the rewards, so if you haven't laid hands on the set of 8 bands, you had better jump on the bandwagon soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
