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DRINKS

Find flavours of old Singapore in these drinks.

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THE ORIGIN STORY 

Find flavours of old Singapore in these drinks. 

Shangri-la Hotel’s adding a watering hole to its extensive food and beverage offerings in the form of Origin Bar, a lobby level establishment that’s going big on local flavours. Designed with helpings of dark wood and green, the mid-sized, modern colonial bar exudes classy without being overbearing. Comfy booths off to the side even have curtains you can draw for extra privacy. 

The bar is helmed by seasoned bar manager Adam Bursik, who previously led top-notch establishments such as The Library and Nutmeg & Clove. That latter appointment alone proves he is no stranger to working with Asian influences. 

Here, Bursik salutes the Lion City’s heritage by crafting five new cocktails, each inspired by a key district in Singapore’s nascent days. The namesake Origin cocktail, for example, works the earthiness of pepper and nutmeg into a medley of charred pineapple and sugar cane – a tribute to Orchard Road’s history as a pepper and nutmeg plantation. Quite the spectacle as well is The Pearl, which dares to use silken tofu to add texture to a blend of elderflower, gin and shochu. Intrigued? Drop by the Tower Wing if you’re in town. 

22 Orange Grove Road, tel: 6213-4595 

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01. THE GREAT EASTERN

Origin does the classics, but you’ll want to try the interpretations of regional flavours such as the jackfruit- based cocktail.

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02. OLD HAND

Drinks chief Adam Bursik counts The Library and Nutmeg & Clove among his local stints.

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03. INSTA-READY

This showpiece of a cocktail, dubbed The Pearl, represents the Marina Bay district. 

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HIGH AND RYE 

Highland Distillery has released the 9th iteration of Glenmorangie’s Private Edition whisky. In this limited release, the single malt was matured in American rye whisky casks (it was Madeira last year) – so expect rye’s characteristic spiciness plus hints of vanilla and toffee as you savour the dram. Pair that with the relative smoothness one would associate with base Glenmorangie, and you have a recipe for easy drinking. www.glenmorangie.com 

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OUT OF THE WOOD 

In with the new, says The Macallan. It has launched a quartet of non-age statement whiskies to phase out the ageing 1824 line. Christened The Macallan Quest Collection, the eye-catching range will be exclusive to travel retail and was first globally launched at Changi Airport. Curious too, are the non-committal labels of Quest, Lumina, Terra and Enigma, listed respectively in cask rarity and consequently retail price, which ranges from US$64 (S$85) to US$250. If nothing, the box designs depicting sky and wood compared to the brand’s usual solid colour are arresting enough to pique the curious. 

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PRESCRIBED REFUGE 

Ann Siang is a pretty lively district where the younger set of who’s who converges over good grub and some stellar bars, but one can sometimes crave a sanctuary amid the hubbub. This is where the British- inspired pub Oxwell & Co extends an unlikely service – in the form of a secret room on the establishment’s third floor. Dubbed the Apothecary, it has a bare-bones list of cocktails but, more importantly, offers only 12 seats in a make-believe medicine shop. Level 3, 5 Ann Siang Road.