This December, be surprised at the creativity of collaborative events taking place all over Singapore—from Sala Spiritello to Christmas on Canal, here’s where the cool drinks are.
Let’s face it, we can’t wait to toast to a new year.
Thankfully, the bartenders of Singapore—and we definitely have a world-class scene here— are stepping up to the task by putting together more creative collaborations and pop-ups than we’ve ever seen before. Here’s a handy list of where to head to for drinks you won’t want to miss this month.
Deadfall
What: Christmas on Canal
Where: Deadfall, 16 North Canal Road
When: Till Dec 27. Mon-Fri 3pm-10.30pm, Sat 4.30pm-10.30pm
Drink: As the immersive decor takes you to the North Pole, you’ll want to cosy up with holiday cocktails served in custom glassware, such as the Drunk Uncle Mulled Wine, a warming mix of red wine with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, triple sec, pear, citrus and spices; or the Ho Ho Holy Sh!t It’s Christmas with Monkey Shoulder, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, pimento dram, maple and burnt pecan bitters. All holiday cocktails are $20.
A wide-ranging festive menu from chef Heryadi includes Yuletide Christmas Salad and sharing plates such as the Argentinian Christmas Carpaccio with spiced pulled pork, red cabbage slaw and smoked gruyere. The Seasonal T.T.W Sando is a magnificent creation of duck fat tater tot waffles, red cabbage sauerkraut, smoked cheddar, and a choice of honey glazed ham or smoked turkey. And fret not if you want a full dinner, as the Christmas Dinner-Plate special, the Santa’s Helper comprises beef wellington served with mushroom forestiere, sauce chasseur and celeriac puree.
InterContinental Singapore
What: Sala Spiritello pop-up bar
Where: InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road
When: Dec 11-31, 6pm-8pm
Drink: Symphony Loo, currently Campari’s regional brand ambassador, has specially created an InterContinental Negroni exclusive to the hotel chain. And the Sala Spiritello edition ($16) of this Negroni is a winning combination of floral notes, coffee and a hint of salinity. Get into the aperitivo mood via masterclasses and a pairing snack menu at Lobby Lounge, or through the suite experiences if you’re an in-house guest.
Miss Fitz
What: Miss Fitz-mass with Remy Cointreau
Where: Miss Fitz, #01-17 The Sail, 6 Marina Boulevard
When: Till early Jan
Drink: Fun and festivities take place in a whimsical Christmas set-up, featuring a Santa’s Workshop. Secret Santas in the form of guest shifts by bartender pals will be taking place periodically, so keep an eye out on their socials. Otherwise, you’ll find resident veteran bartender Ricky Paiva holding fort over Gingerbread Old Fashioned with Wild Turkey Bourbon, Gingerbread syrup and bitters; and Eggnog, with Remy Martin VSOP and house made pumpkin pie spice.
Expect a full festive dinner from the kitchen, of turkey, ham, roast beef or roast eggplant with the works. Guests who spend $50 will be in the running that day for a daily advent raffle with thirst-quenching prices, leading to the grand prize drawn on Christmas Eve.
Brass Lion Distillery
What: Christmas GIN-gle Takeover
Where: Brass Lion Distillery, 40 Alexandra Terrace
When: Till Dec 31. 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm (buy tickets in advance)
Drink: The Chief Distillery Elf is in charge now. For $55, you’ll be in for a full two-hour experience of the Brass Lion Distillery, inclusive of access to the Tasting Room, one Christmas cocktail, one tasting flight of the specially created Christmas gins, and one take-home gin bauble for your tree. Add-ons include a festive menu with highlights such as the Pahit gin-glazed ham, chilled mulled wine and gin-infused Black Forest cake ice cream. If you prefer shorter visits, a pop-up retail store on the ground floor will have easy gift ideas as well as a 15-minute gin blending session.
Melati Pop-up Bar
Where: The Dragon Chamber, 2 Circular Road
When: Fridays and Saturdays in Dec (except 25 and 26) from 5pm
Drink: Melati is Asia’s first non-alcoholic aperitif, so you don’t have to restrict your choices at this pop-up. Veteran bartender Naz Arjuna from Bitters & Love has created a list of cocktails catering to the no-lo crowd. Try non-alcoholic Melati Spritz, featuring the Melati and its 26 botanicals with grapefruit spritz and cucumber; or Spiced Nogroni, made of Melati, decaf coffee, bittersweet Chinotto and spiced juniper. Prefer a cocktail? Get festive with the Snowglobe, a drink with pandan vodka, Melati, lemon juice and Christmas sparkles, or Singapore Christmas, a tropical delight of coconut, vodka, Melati and lime.
Baileys Treat Bar
Where: Apiary Ice Creamery, 84 Neil Road
When: Till Dec 31. Sun-Thu 12pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-10.30pm
Drink: The Baileys Treat Bar finally lands in Asia, after being introduced in London in 2017 and spreading across the world. The pop-up in Singapore sees a collaboration with homegrown Apiary, introducing three ice creams and two drinks that uses the iconic Irish cream liqueur.
Baileys Iced Chocolate and Baileys Iced Coffee, as well as the Baileys & Brownies ice cream incorporate the original Baileys flavour to good effect. But it is the limited edition Baileys Red Velvet Cupcake used in the Baileys Cheery Cupcake ice cream and Baileys Strawberries & Cream used in the Baileys Strawberry Swirl that are exclusive for this pop-up. Fans will love the not-too-sweet nature of Apiary’s ice creams combined with the unmistakable smoothness of the Baileys. A free Baileys Drizzle accompanies every scoop, to add a little more booze to your ice cream.
A version of this article first appeared on Epicure.
