[title]
Welcome to Da Bao Diaries, a column dedicated to what Time Out Singapore's editors are eating and drinking at home till we can visit our city's restaurants and bars once more. Da bao is a Singaporean colloquialism derived from Mandarin that refers to having a meal to go instead of dining in at an establishment.
Home-based learning is a buzzword that’s floating around now. While it’s mandatory for those still in school to sit through virtual lessons, adults, too, are picking up new skills through the screens. Want to bake a loaf of sourdough? There’s probably a masterclass for that. And if you’re thinking of fixing yourself a drink to celebrate the end of a workday, the folks from Spiffy Dapper has you covered.
The local bar has recently launched a series of Zoom Cocktail Masterclass that’ll make a bartender out of you. Never mind that you’re a complete novice, or don’t have the necessary tools of the trade. Each masterclass ($75) comes with a kit complete with booze, garnishes, a jigger, bar spoon, and recipe book. You won’t find a shaker in the box, though. “Too many accidents,” shares bartender Vojta Bazant. In its place, you’ll find a jam jar instead that’ll function just as well.
Depending on your poison, choose from four different kits: Old Fashioned and Manhattan; Martini and Negroni; Whiskey Sour and Clover Club; and the top-seller, Margarita and Daiquiri. Our Margarita and Daiquiri came with all the fix-ins needed to master these shaken cocktails – servings of tequila and rum, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, sugar syrup, a lime, and some chilli salt for garnish.
You’ll need to set aside some 50 minutes, and either Abhishek C George, founder of Spiffy Dapper or its other bartender, Vojta, will take you through an education of your selected cocktails. There are no fancy bartending tosses involved; what you’d get instead is a crash course on cocktail-making. Here’s a quick preview of what you can expect, without giving away too much of the surprise: you’ll learn the fundamentals of a ‘good’ cocktail, how to make one (or two, to be exact), and tips on how to recreate the drink on your own using various alternatives you can find in the kitchen.
And yes, in case you were wondering, there will be homework given out as part of the class.
HOW TO ORDER Kits are available for purchase at fnb.com.sg/products/zoom-cocktail-masterclass. Each session can host up to 15 people, making it a great activity to embark virtually with your friends and loved ones.