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[title]Drink in Singapore flavours
Local is at the heart of the Kampung Bar, and Boo Jing Heng, the maverick who was named Singapore Diageo Reserve World Class Winner 2016, has dug deep into our roots to come up with four original cocktails that make a bold play on nostalgia and hawker favourites.
The ABC is an ode to our love-hate relationship with apple-beetroot-carrot juice. Expect an intriguing melange of fruity, floral and smoky notes in Boo’s boozy remake. It’s made with beetroot-infused Ketel One vodka, clear apple juice, citrus, St Germain elderflower liqueur and topped with a baby carrot that’s been brined in mezcal.
For a savoury hit, spring for the Laksa Ramos. In this laksa-inspired makeover, the classic Ramos Gin Fizz is shaken with laksa leaf-infused Tanqueray London Dry, coconut cream, then garnished with the works: chopped laksa leaves and dried shrimp.
Photo: Marina Bay Sands
Because it'll be a crime to miss out on the nation’s favourite chocolate drink, Boo has dreamt up the Singleton Milo Peng – a dapper, grown-up version of the childhood staple, here spiked with Singleton of Glen Ord 12 Year Old. And for old time's sake, Boo will have you holding onto your drink in a kopitiam-style plastic bag. Now that's one heck of a way to bring back the memories.
Photo: Marina Bay Sands
Revisit the classics
If you're harking for classic cocktails, head over to the World Class Bar where you'll be well taken care of by the newly crowned Singapore Diageo Reserve World Class Winner 2017, Sin Kim Shin. The minty Bulleit Julep is the ultimate choice for a refreshing start. There's also the Tanqueray Southside if you want more zippiness in your juice. For a weightier tipple, the Zacapa Old Fashioned will sort you out – Sim's twist on the classic comes with rum, date syrup, Angostura bitters, orange bitters and chocolate bitters.
Fancy some hands-on action? The World Class Bar will be conducting interactive sessions all three days, when Sin and his team will teach guests how to shake up their own tipple.
Chill out with G&Ts at the Tanqueray Garden
Gin lovers, take note. Tanqueray will be here with a beautiful garden setup to show off its full family of gins: the London Dry, Rangpur, and Ten. You can get up-close with the botanicals, and even try your hand at putting together your own G&T. Tanqueray will also be offering three craft G&Ts, one for each expression, to highlight the gins' varying nuances. For instance, to play up Tanqueray Rangpur's citrus and spice notes, the G&T will be prepared with lime zest oil, ginger and fresh bay leaves.
Photo: Marina Bay Sands
Taste rarefied sips
The annual Connoisseur Series is every discerning drinker's dream come true. These expert-led masterclasses are rare opportunities for you to appreciate a curated selection of some of the world's finest wines and spirits.
At the 90+ Points Club session, work your way through a flight of some very extraordinary wines that have been rated 90 points and above by wine critics. The crème de la crème at this wine tasting: a 99-point Rarity Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley’s Beaulieu Vineyards, and Penfold's perfect-scoring Grange.
The legendary Louis XIII by the House of Remy Martin is also yours for tasting at the eponymous masterclass. It's one of most the coveted spirits, not least because each bottle contains a blend of 1,000 eaux-de-vie between 40- and 100-year-olds.
The Karuizawa and Chichibu masterclass is as rare an experience as it gets. The focus here is on old and rare malts from Japan, and participants will have the privilege of tasting, among others, two particularly precious expressions: a 40-year-old Karuizawa, and the oldest Chichibu Single Cask.
Dive in the world of wines
This year, Epicurean Market's famous Wine Walk is the biggest one yet, with 35 merchants coming together to showcase wines from all around the world. Organic and biodynamic wines have been building quite a following in recent years for their excellent quality and environmental sustainability, and Asia Wine Network's booth is the best spot for you to get properly acquainted. On a Nihon bent, Epicurean Nomads and Kirei Japanese Food Supply will be making a strong case for Japanese wines, sakes and beers through tasting flights and special prices just for the Epicurean Market weekend.
Epicurean Market is at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre from Aug 11-13. $39 for a three-day pass that includes a complimentary signature dish worth $15, and access to masterclasses and late-night festivities.