FIVE CLASSIC COCKTAILS
Can’t make it to Singapore to sample the bars? Mix your own drinks at home with these essential recipes…
MARGARITA
Very few cocktails are as feel-good as this classic Mexican concoction, which combines the tang of lime and sweetness of orange liqueur with the punch of tequila. 50ml silver tequila 25ml Cointreau 30ml lime juice Coarse salt Crushed ice Put plenty of salt in a wide bowl. Rub the rim of a chilled margarita glass with lime juice and dip it into the salt. Add the lime juice, Cointreau and tequila to a cocktail shaker, and give it a good mix. Put plenty of ice into the glass and pour over the mixture.
MANHATTAN
According to popular legend, this blend of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters takes its name from New York’s Manhattan Club, where it was invented in the 1870s. 50ml rye whiskey 25ml sweet vermouth 50ml Angostura Bitters Handful of ice Maraschino cherry Put all the ingredients into a mixing glass and stir together. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with the cherry.
COSMOPOLITAN
This fruity vodka-based cocktail came into being in the 1970s, but gained mass popularity in the late 1990s – then early 2000s courtesy of Sex and the City. 50ml vodka 25ml Cointreau 25ml cranberry juice 25ml lime juice Crushed ice Twist of orange or lemon peel, to garnish Add the ingredients and plenty of ice to a cocktail shaker and shake for 20 seconds. Strain the mix into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Decorate with orange or lemon peel.
MOJITO
This Cuban cocktail is a brilliant refreshment and a deserved classic. 65ml white rum 8 mint leaves, plus a sprig to garnish Handful of ice Juice of ½ lime 2 teaspoons caster sugar 65ml soda water Muddle the mint in a highball glass with the end of a rolling pin, then transfer to a cocktail shaker. Add the sugar, lime juice, rum and ice. Shake well and pour back into the glass. Top up with soda and decorate with a mint sprig or lime slice.
NEGRONI
One of many stories behind this drink is that an Italian asked his bartender friend to strengthen his favourite cocktail, the Americano. The resulting drink saw gin replacing soda water. It has seen a strong revival in recent years. 25ml Campari 25ml gin 25ml sweet vermouth Handful of ice cubes Twist of orange peel Put all of the ingredients into a shaker and shake well. Pour into a chilled glass and decorate with the orange peel.