With our National Day parade postponed to 20 August, and as our country’s in the midst of braving the latest bout of social distancing restrictions, there’s at least one thing we can all look forward to — the long weekend ahead of us. And that’s worth drinking to!
Get together (in lawful numbers) and raise your glass to our nation’s birthday, in spirit at least, with this slew of locally-inspired cocktails and beers. With Milo-infused, Peranakan-style or pandan whiskey in the mix, available for takeaway or islandwide delivery right to your doorstep, there’s no reason why we can’t get enjoy the festivities. Ahead, some of our favourite celebratory drinks for you to get your boozy fix.
1. GudSht
Trust local bottled cocktail brand GudSht to serve up cheeky booze created to go with every season worth celebrating — so it’s no surprise that their latest series comes in iconic red and white labels to mark this year’s National Day. With four new limited edition cocktails, inspired by familiar icons including the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, shiok hawker fare, and PCK, the drinks are sold either as a National Day Bundle, or individual bottles. All of them are easy on the palate, with blends of Haku Vodka and Sauza Silver Tequila, for instance, balanced by citrus, rose syrup, and botanical bitters,
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- Swee Boh — Sauza Silver Tequila, Red Sangria, Lime Juice, Grand Marnier, and Agave Syrup
- Steady Lah! — Haku Vodka, Amaretto, Midori, Orange Juice, Peach Bitters, and Plum Bitters
- Shiok Sia — Haku Vodka, Chrysanthemum Tea, Wolfberry Syrup, Rose Syrup, and Lime Juice
- Lepak Ah — Jim Beam White, Midori, Amaretto and Cranberry Juice
$15 (120ml) and $28 (300ml) each, or as a National Day Bundle at $46 (120ml) and $96 (300ml), available from 26 July to 31 August 2021. Order here.
2. MO BAR
It’s a bit of a pity we can’t enjoy MO BAR‘s classy lounge vibes as we’re sipping on one of these bespoke cocktails, but no matter, because they’re ready to serve three of their most patriotic cocktails in a timely National Day take-home bundle. Roaring City, for instance, is a nod to our lion city, and opens with a refreshing mix of vermouth, pineapple tepache and Prosecco. Then, there’s Thunder, made with local gin and herbs, followed by Oriental, an exotic cocktail centred around pandan-infused whiskey, mango and coconut.
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- Oriental — Pandan Whiskey, Mango, Coconut
- Thunder — Rice, Thunder, Herbs
- Roaring City — Sparkling pineapple tepache, Vermouth
$48 for the National Day Cocktail Package, available from 1 August to 21 August 2021. Order here.
3. Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
Any locally-inspired cocktail list has to include Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall, who are adept at taking Asian flavours and transforming them into yummy cocktails we’d be happy to serve any time of the year. The nostalgic, and quite quintessential, Singaporean experience of getting our fix from the Milo truck is captured by their most popular cocktail, the Tak Qiu, a take on an Old-Fashioned, and named after the common phrase hollered across tables at your neighbourhood coffeeshop. There’s also a Singapore-style Negroni with herbal notes of ginseng and chrysanthemum, and if you’re spoilt for choice, go ahead and spring for the Signature Cocktails Set, which entitles you to three of their signature drinks.
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- Tak Qiu — Milo Bourbon, Stabilised Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters
- Silver Screen — Salted Brown Butter Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Popcorn Syrup, Oloroso, Angostura Bitters
- Oriental Elixir — Ginseng & Chrysanthemum Dry Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Chocolate Liqueur
- Osmanthus White Negroni — Dry Gin, Benedictine D.O.M., Osmanthus, Martini Dry Vermouth
$58 (250ml) each, or $150 for the Signature Cocktails set of three drinks. order here.
4. NINETEEN80
The 80s vibes is strong with NINETEEN80, a neon-soaked retro haunt that’s more than happy to remind us of Singapore’s hip party scene — if you still remember what being in a room full of strangers feels like, that is. Still, their cocktails aim to bring the fun to us, with blends that are reminiscent of Yakult bubble teas and Prince’s iconic hit song, or one that ends with a lick of sour plum powder on your lips. Totally Currant is a strong contender for that all-familiar taste of Ribena too, though this time for adults, since it’s spiked with gin and cherry liqueur over a fruity base of blackcurrant. If you’re up for even more fun, the bar’s also hosting a virtual National Day-themed trivia night — no entry fees necessary if you opt for their Party of 5 cocktail package.
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- Purple Rain — Vodka, Blue Curaçao, Cranberry, Pineapple, Yakult
- Poison Ivy — Gin, Basil, Mint, Elderflower Liqueur, Sour Plum Powder
- Totally Currant — Gin, Cherry Liqueur, Apple Cider Vinegar, Forest Fruit Preserves, Blackcurrant Cordial, Coco-Cola
- Blue Hawaii — Fireball Whiskey, Blue Curaçao, Pineapple, Lime Juice, Soda
$32 (2 serves) each, or $130 for a pack of 5. order HERE.
5. Native
For a drink that reflects our diverse cultures, look to Native‘s Peranakan, a lush drink that puts together the familiar aromas and flavours we often associate with Nonya cuisine. The cocktail bar prides itself for nailing flavours inspired by Singapore and its surrounding regions, using Asian spirits as well as ingredients that are sourced locally — some right from their rooftop garden. For this creation, they’ve done a jackfruit rum infusion that’s then paired with laksa leaves, candlenut, palm sugar, and pandan, before stirring in high-quality local goat’s milk. The result is a surprisingly clear cocktail, served alongside coconut pandan jelly and blue pea flowers, and a fragrant, delightful drink with notes of coconut toffee and a nutty profile.
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- Peranakan — Jackfruit Rum, Laksa Leaves, Goat’s Milk, Candlenut, Gula Melaka
$48 (250ml) and $88 (500ml). order here.
6. Jigger & Pony
Currently standing at No. 2 in the comprehensive list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Jigger & Pony is renowned for their consistently refreshing drinks, and for making the old classics just as exciting every time we visit. Take their Madame President, for instance. This playful deconstructed Negroni is an ode to our first female president, Halimah Yacob, as well as the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which explains its light floral notes, created by infusing orchid into the drink. The cocktail then combines gin, kaffir vermouth, and bitter melon liqueur, topped off with a Campari lollipop for kicks.
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- Madame President — Monkey 47 Gin, Kaffir Dry Vermouth, Orchid and Bitter Melon Liqueur
$36 (200ml). order here.
7. Heart of Darkness
Best known for craft beers, which they often serve on tap, Heart of Darkness is keen on making the upcoming National Day celebrations as boozy as possible, with us tucking in to their Singapore-inspired pizzas — a mean trio of chilli crab, rendang, and curry, by the way — alongside their lovingly crafted Singapore Hoppy Pilsner and Singapore Golden Ale. These are available as a ‘Heart of Darkness Party at Home Package’, or with just the beer in a 2L Growler, an air-tight stainless steel vessel that maintains draft beer at its prime condition. Subsequent refills of the growler also entitle you to 30% off the bill!
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- Singapore Hoppy Pilsner
- Singapore Golden Ale
$56 each, order here.
8. Tiger Beer
There was a moment during the premiere episode of Marvel’s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier that had us breaking out in rapturous applause — when Bucky Barnes picked up a cold bottle of Tiger Beer. It was certainly unexpected, though the born-and-brewed Singapore beer’s presence on this list is, of course, undeniable. Back on the shelves for the National Day season is the limited edition Tiger Orchid Brew, with a new look designed by local musician and artist Narelle Kheng. The full-flavoured lager is infused with orchids for a blend of floral and citrus notes, which makes for the perfect toast for the occasion.
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