Cheers (Drink to That)

Was over at The Bar at 15 Stamford last week to try some of the cocktails in their latest bar menu, which explores flavours around Austronesia. (clockwise from top left):

~Hoto Matua 1000: Six Saints Grenada Rum, Amaro Montenegro, angostura bitters, peychaud bitters, sparkling wine

~Peranakan Old Fashioned: Mount Gay XO Rum, pandan, cinnamon, nutmeg, angostura bitters

~Kabang Koman 1501: Chalong Bay Thai Basil Rum, peach, oolong tea, chili, citrus, soda water

~Plantation 1840: Black Tears Cuban Spiced Rum, sweet vermouth, pineapple, citrus, sugar cane syrup

The ones I personally preferred are the Peranakan Old Fashioned and Kabang Koman 1501. The former has Mount Gay XO Rum with flavours accentuated by gula melaka, pandan, cinnamon and nutmeg, while the torched cinnamon stick brings out its aromatics. The latter is named after a boat that was used by Moken, the Austronesian people of the Mergui Archipelago (hence the use of Chalong Bay Thai Basil Rum), and I like how easy drinking - light & refreshing - it was!

Finally checked one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, 28 HongKong Street, off my to-visit list recently! They’ve recently launched a new cocktail menu with 4 uniquely themed bar concepts - Sin & Misery at the Oldham, Brenda’s Bad Hand, Halogen and 28 HongKong Street, all within the same space. I got to try one cocktail from each concept (clockwise from top left):

~Flight of the Concords (Secco Vermouth, Grand & Noble Pisco, Concord Grape Cordial)

~Hard Pour Corn (Secco Vermouth, Corn Orxata, Lime Vanilla, Smoke)

~Cobbled Together (28HKS Sherry Blend, Smokey Monkey Whiskey, Cointreau, Pineapple, Lactic Oolong, Grapefruit, Mint)

~Brick Lane Martini (Hendricks & Hendricks Orbium Gins, Secco Vermouth, Red Onion, Brick Lane Seasoning)

My favourite cocktail was the Hard Pour Corn, which I felt had a really well-balanced taste with an added hint of smokiness! The Flight of the Concords was pretty good too, with a more fruity, floral taste.

The ambience here at Here Kitty Kitty is really nice and vibrant, and it’s inspired by 1950s Shinjuku Nightlife (the falling autumn leaves added a nice touch too!). I tried several cocktails from their new cocktail menu created by mixologist Gary Mandobon (clockwise from top left).

~Mad Cat (Wild Turkey Rye, Amaro Averna, Campari, Orange Bitters)

~Ume Whisky Sour (Makers Mark, Apricot Liqueur, Ume, Lemon, Egg white)

~Watermelon Sugar (Don Julio Blanco, Cointreau, Lime, Watermelon)

~Sensei’s Old Fashioned (Suntory Kakubin, Laphroig 10, Oleo Saccharum, Aromatic Bitters)

The cocktails that I like are Mad Cat and Ume Whisky Sour. Both are enjoyable in their own respective ways, the Mad Cat has a bold and bittersweet flavour, while the Ume Whisky Sour is citrusy and textured! The Watermelon Sugar, a crowd favourite cocktail from their sister outpost in Las Vegas, will suit those looking for something that’s more fruity and sweet.

By the way, they also serve pretty good ‘Japas’ here too - moreish snacks that combine both Spanish & Japanese in the cooking techniques and ingredients, to go with your drinks!

The next time you’re in town, and looking for a late afternoon respite, you can visit Binary for Binary Hour. Between 4pm to 7pm on Mondays to Wednesdays, every order of an alcoholic beverage is served with a complementary pair of Wagyu Kofta and Cajun Pulled Pork Sliders.

The sliders are made with their Homemade Kubaneh Bread (anyone who’s visited Binary before will know how delish their breads are!) topped with Binary’s signature Asian and Western approach to their dishes. Both flavours were pretty delectable, and my favourite among the two is the Cajun Pulled Pork, which packs a bolder, smoky flavour! Diners can also place a la carte orders for the sliders at $20++ for four sliders with flavours of guests' choice.

As for alcoholic beverages, you can choose from a range of premium wines, cocktails, craft beers and liquours for your afternoon tipple. Featured here are the Thyme & Rosemary Sour and Cuban Manhattan cocktails.

To elevate your dining experience, pair your food with their range of craft beers and GIN including Chendol GIN (distilled from fermented gula Melaka, then re-distilled with juniper berries, pandan and coconut on a pot still) The gin is soft, vibrant and reminiscent of the most delicious chendol dessert!

Loof are know for their fanciful cocktails and the Little Pink Dot is one of them. The drink came served in what looks like a light bulb bottle with a straw to consume it, which was very interesting and very instagrammable.

The main components of the drink are marshmallow gin, raspberry liqueur, fresh berries & yuzu. Taste wise it was more fruity and sweet, could not really taste much of the alcohol; so if you’re looking for something strong, i would not advise ordering this drink.

This is one of my regular drinking spots, cos of the delicious martinis they offer. The one that I always order is their choya martini (2 glasses for $20 nett). It has the right amount of sweetness ratio & alcohol taste that I like, and the plum is a nice finishing touch.

On the way up the stairs to Freehouse, there is a sign that says 'Stairway to Beer Heaven' and damn right it is craft beer heaven here!

Be spoilt for choice at their selection of craft beers from the tap and have a great night of drinks! (PS. Best seats in the house for me are those by the bar)

Be spoilt for choice at the 20 over different selection of craft beers...