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Best cocktails in KL

What to order from KL's best bars

Written by
Time Out KL contributors
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From the classic cocktails to the modern upgrades, here are the 10 best cocktails in Kuala Lumpur.

  • Bars and pubs
  • Wine bars
  • KL City Centre
The Boulevardier is similar to a Negroni, but instead of using gin the bartender uses bourbon, which makes the cocktail taste rounder. The Campari in the drink provides a light bitterness and a good balance of citrus. The drink may look pretty in red but watch out - it's quite potent.
RM38++
  • Restaurants
  • KL City Centre
We love champagne and we love mojitos, so it's only natural that we love this combination of both. Tujo (previously 7atenine) makes some of the best mojitos in KL; each glass is carefully muddled with the freshest ingredients. This brand-new creation is then topped with champagne and garnished with a watermelon wedge and an orange twist. It doesn't get much bubblier than this.
RM35++
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  • Bars and pubs
  • KL City Centre
The bartenders at Omakase + Appreciate are proficient at mixing up the classics, but their originals have proven to be equally amazing - and this cocktail by resident mixologist Shawn is no exception. The nutty quaff packs the depth of Johnnie Walker whisky, the tartness of lime juice and the light sweetness of both simple and hazelnut syrup. The brown sugar on the rim of the glass is a welcome bonus.
RM35
  • Restaurants
  • KL City Centre
  • price 4 of 4
If you ever find yourself at Hit & Mrs, there's a bartender named Angel who, in addition to having a set of awesome tattoos, is an absolute wizard with cocktails. Her Malacca Island is a gorgeous mix of bourbon, cocody, lemon juice and gula Melaka syrup. Take a sip and close your eyes - and imagine you're perched at the edge of Jonker Street, luxuriating in the cool river breeze.
RM40++
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  • Nightlife
  • Nightlife venues
  • KL City Centre
Lychee is often an interesting choice when it comes to adding fresh, fruity sweetness to a dessert, so it's not that big a leap for it to show up in a cocktail. Order a Lychee Rose the next time you're at SkyBar and you'll see what we mean - the distinct flavour of the fruit pairs well with the Belvedere Pure in this refreshing martini. It's perfect for KL's sweltering tropical climate.
RM36++
La Boca
  • Restaurants
  • Mexican
  • Bukit Bintang
The margarita will always be a great all-year-round breezy thirst-quencher. Sure, having it frozen is by far the more popular choice, but margarita on the rocks is a classic. La Boca mixes theirs with just the right amount of Sierra tequila, invigorating this delicious quaff with a lively spritz and fruitiness. You can order them in jugs too. Be warned, though: After the first sip, you won't want to share.
RM28++
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  • Nightlife
  • KL City Centre
  • price 4 of 4
Strange moniker aside, this is the perfect aperitif for a jazzed-up high tea. Made by award-winning mixologist Boy, the cocktail is a mix of Angostura, Frangelico, Galliano, lemon juice, vanilla syrup, Earl Grey tea and blackberry jam. The result? An extremely fragrant, delicious, sweet-and-sour rendition of your daily cuppa. Just don't let it be a permanent replacement - you owe it to your liver, if not your wallet.
RM58++
  • Bars and pubs
  • KL City Centre
There's no finer spot than Tate for tasting this manly cocktail, so burrow into the plush chairs and unwind in this gentlemen's club-like bar. The first sip brings with it the dry-complex sweetness of port, Kahlua and cacao, followed by the belly-warming (the real kicker) black-pepper infused brandy. It's also very aromatic, hence the pun-tastic name. Sip it, don't sniff it.
RM55++
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Malaysian Princess Mai Tai
  • Bars and pubs
  • KL Sentral
Though its name might suggest otherwise, this Tiki tipple packs a potent punch. Apart from the usual array of Mai Tai ingredients, the mixologist adds a dash of Elemakule Tiki bitters and fresh blueberries, and serves it with a separate carafe of orange juice, pineapple juice and homemade grenadine. There are two ways of drinking this: You can either mix the juices with the alcohol, or just drink it straight if you like it strong. We recommend the former - the citrusy fruits do a marvellous job of brightening up the full throttle of the booze.
RM38
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