Classic Cocktails with a Green Twist

IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY THE CLASSICS, BOTH IN LITERATURE AND COCKTAILS, WESLEY GUNTER RECOMMENDS COOK AND TRAS SOCIAL LIBRARY ONE OF SIX SENSES MAXWELL’S LOUNGES.

If you’re in Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD) and are looking for respite from the soaring skyscrapers and endless traffic, escape to the tranquil surroundings of Cook and Tras Social Library located at the Six Senses Maxwell boutique hotel for some of the most interesting cocktails in town.

RICH TEXTURE

Aptly named for its location right at the crossroads of Cook and Tras Street, the establishment is also in fact an actual library. The feeling of walking into Cook and Tras is like stepping on a Wes Anderson movie set with its richly textured custom-design furnishings and of course rows of book shelves adorned with classics from Hemmingway to Steinbeck, which can be borrowed by patrons.

Be charmed as well by Ricky Paiva, Cook and Tras’ elegantly moustachioed beverage manager as he whips up classic cocktails made with artisanal ingredients grown at Max’s Rooftop, the hotel’s edible garden and bar. As a previous brand ambassador for Bacardi-martini Singapore, Ricky’s experience of over 17 years in the F&B industry shows in

Cook & Tras’ cocktail menu with an eclectic mix of classic and international influences fused with botanical ingredients, that promise to be refreshing.

ANN SIANG COLLINS

If you are seeking a reprieve from Singapore’s infamous scorching weather, a must have is the refreshing ‘Ann Siang Collins’ made from Martini Riserva Ambrato, Suze (a French brand of bitters flavoured with the roots of the plant gentian), lemon, basil, celery bitters and finished off with seltzer and a touch of tonic. If you need your caffeine fix mid-day, I suggest the ‘C+T Shakerato’ made with Martini Riserva Rubino, herbal liquor Averna, strong cold brewed coffee, Xocolati Mole Bitters and Seltzer.

What really intrigued me however was the Sloe Gin Fizz ‘n’ Tonic made from Monkey 47 Dry Gin, Monkey 47 Slow Gin, lemon, meringue and tonic. Even if you are not really a fan of gin, I guarantee that you will love this delicious fruity number primarily due to the sloe gin ingredient made from sloe drupes, a small fruit relative of the plum.

HEMMINGWAY ROYALE

Other menu items to look out for in the near future include the ‘Author Series’ which are a list cocktails inspired by literary greats. For now, you can still sample the Hemmingway ‘Royale’ made with Bacardi carta Blanca, Maraschino and grapefruit, as well as the ‘Steinbeck’ made with Laird’s Applejack, Grenadine, lemon and spiced port reduction.

Time to brush up on those classics.