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Welcome to Da Bao Diaries, a daily column dedicated to what Time Out Singapore's editors are eating and drinking while Singapore's 'circuit breaker' measures are in place till June 1. Da bao is a Singaporean colloquialism derived from Mandarin that refers to having a meal to go instead of dining in at an establishment.
Not everyone’s idea of a refreshing post-work, post-meal, post-Zoom, or post-anything drink is a boozy beverage. If you’re swearing off alcohol, here’s a healthier (sort of) alternative for you to imbibe: sparkling tea. These refreshing concoctions come from Danger Close Beverage Co, a drinking studio located within Alexandra Village Food Centre. It’s run by young hawker Calvin Ang, who taps and bottles his own unique brews of fizzy teas.
There are three flavours to choose from, and each bottle comes in a 600ml format that goes for $12. Our favourite? The aromatic Osmanthus Squirrel with smooth, floral notes from golden osmanthus perfumed with toasty oolong. There’s also the Chinois, where red tea is infused with lychees for a juicy burst of fruit and honey. Its best-seller, Lady Grey, is brewed with smoked Chinese red tea steeped in citrus peels – an elegant bev that'll make you feel like sticking out your pinky as you sip and savour. Word of caution: tempting as it may be to guzzle down these easy-to-drink brews, they come packed with a good dosage of caffeine, so it’s best to go easy in the evenings.
Its hawker centre location means you’re able to get access to Danger Close’s sparkling creations throughout the ‘circuit breaker’ period. Beyond its brews, you can also find a small selection of craft beer on its drinking menu, such as the zesty Elvis Juice ($9), a grapefruit IPA from BrewDog, and Stockade Brew Co’s Rockafella ($8), a bourbon barrel-aged dark ale.
HOW TO ORDER Drop Calvin a message on WhatsApp at 9435 9194, and check out his full offerings on Facebook. You can either swing by Alexandra Village Food Centre for pick-ups (and grab some other dishes along the way), or have it delivered straight to your door. There’s a $10 delivery fee with a minimum order of $38, but orders above $99 qualify for free deliveries.