Explore other cultures the fun way – by hitting the bottle like a local. Charlene Fang and Alexis Ong recommend five international cocktails with authentic flavour

Japan
DS Brew
Iced green tea, vodka, whisky, champagne and lychee juice
Trust the Japanese to give a healthy slant to everything. While it may confound most as to how whisky and green tea can blend together so beautifully, this concoction delivers an even nicer surprise: champagne.
$18.
Dim Sake Bar, Goodwood Park Hotel

Singapore
Chilli Padi Mary
Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, lemongrass, chilli padi and ginger
You’re much more likely to find chilli in mee goreng than a cocktail, but don’t knock it till you try it. For a small chilli, it packs all the heat for a Bloody Mary. As for us, we’re just happy to have another ‘national drink’ to tout other than the Singapore Sling.
$22.
Astor Bar

Mexico
Classic Margarita
Premium reposado (gold tequila), Cointreau, fresh lime juice
Done authentically using a reposado or ‘gold tequila’, you’ll want to go easy on these margaritas (have a few and you’ll understand why). The combination of Cointreau and fresh lime juice expertly masks the true alcoholic nature of this drink. Kudos to the bartender for blending to just the right consistency – this isn’t supposed to be a chunky shake.
$12.90.
Margarita’s

Cuba
Madagascan Mojito
Havana Club three-year rum, vanilla syrup, mint, hand-pressed lime Unlike most local establishments, CAMP correctly serves its mojito in a tall Collins glass. The drink itself mostly comprises high-quality Cuban rum and a generous clump of mint. It’s refreshing, and still packs a punch. Plus there was a marked absence of gritty sugar on the bottom – the traditional recipe calls for sugar cane syrup, not granulated sugar, a very common mistake.
$17.
CAMP

Scotland
Mars Bar Martini
Vanilla vodka, Baileys, crème de cacao, caramel, chocolate syrup
If you’re not a fan of the deep-fried Mars bar – a Scottish, er, delicacy – perhaps this classic concoction will appeal more to your palate. It’s richer than your standard chocolate martini; the caramel and chocolate syrup makes this almost a meal in itself. An easy swallow (and initiation) for sweet-toothed teetotallers looking to go a little crazy.
$19.
Axis Bar, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Ave (6885 3098). MRT: City Hall.