Like everything else, booze trends come in circles. And lately, tiki cocktails seem to be having another moment in Singapore, with lots of new and old bars rolling out refreshing, rum-heavy, fruity and potent new concoctions. Here are a few.
Antidote
Led by cocktail poster boy Tom Hogan, the swanky Fairmont bar rolled out a new cocktail menu, The Revivals, as part of a worldwide boozy campaign. There are some fun tiki inspired brews on the menu, like Whistlers and Allies ($23), a citrusy cocktail with dark rum, pineapple, Campari, lime juice and cardamom syrup. If you’re looking for a thirst quencher with a punch, then try the Tonic #2 ($23) that sees rum mixed with gentian root, lemongrass, ginger, parsely and lemon topped off by a house made tonic water. 80 Bras Basah Rd., 6431-5315, Open daily 5pm-2am
Aloha Poke
Aloha Poke
Club Street Social
Club Street Social
Expect barrel-aged and bottled cocktails from this recently revamped 1930’s New York-style restaurant complete with rustic brick walls and dimly lit plush diner booths. Head mixologist Tomas Gejdos shakes up drinks like the highly potent Zombie in Your Closet ($22), featuring spiced rum, falernum, grenadine, absinth and bitters submerged in crushed ice. For those who prefer to start off slow, there’s the more subtle, palate-pleasing 12 Miles to Heaven ($22) that features a medley of rum, rye, brandy, grenadine and lemon juice. 5 Gemmill Ln., 6225-5043, Open Mon-Sat 9am-10pm; Sun 9am-9pm
Kite
Kite
With its semi-industrial themed interior and a gleaming marble bar counter complete with black steel chairs, Kite is relatively new to the tiki cocktail scene. They do small plates like sweetbreads and polenta that subtly compliment their cocktail offerings. For something light, try the Little Rummer Boy ($22) that sees toasted almond rum mixed together with mezcal, Amaro Mandragola, dark chocolate liquer and capari and cinnamon. Then move on to the Xilam Warrior ($28) that mixes overproof rum with kaffir tequila, fresh lime, maraschino liqueur and a fruity mango beer reduction. 53 Craig Road, 9729-7988, Open Tue-Sun noon-2.30pm and 6pm-1am
Gibson
Gibson
This cocktail and raw seafood bar at Bukit Pasoh is an upscale speakeasy—complete with marble top tables, a geometric stained glass bar facade and retro-chic glassware. One of their rum offerings is Angel’s Share ($23)—a concoction of spiced rum, absinthe and bitters that leaves a heady aftertaste of toasted wood and caramel. But if you’re planning to go in all guns blazing, then their Bumbo Old Fashioned ($28) is just the thing for you. Using an aged 17 year rum as a base, the drink is then mixed with demerara sugar, cinnamon and an in-house nutmeg tincture for that added oomph. 20 Bukit Pasoh Rd., 9114-8385, Open Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight
