Heritage-inspired cocktails reference the flavours and history of historic Singapore districts
January 24th, 2018
Shangri-La Hotel celebrates Singapore’s history at its newly opened Origin Grill & Bar, located at the lobby level of the hotel’s recently renovated Tower Wing. Inspired by the origins of current day Singapore, the restaurant and bar invoke recollections of the multi-cultural regional culinary flavours, colonial-era architecture and tropical environment. The decor at the bar and restaurant takes on a vintage railway theme with the bar shaped like a train ticketing box draped with silk curtains. At the adjoining upscale Origin Grill, chequerboard tabletops are matched with teal leather timber chairs and burgundy leather banquettes, creating an attractive contemporary expression of a heritage aesthetic.
At Origin Bar, the Slovakian bar manager Adam Bursik has created a cocktail list that gives guests a taste experience inspired by five of Singapore’s storied districts: Orchard, Chinatown, Little India, Boat Quay and Marina Bay. Bursik arrived in Singapore in 2014, initially heading notable bars such as The Library, and one of “Asia’s 50 Best Bars “– Nutmeg & Clove – before joining the launch team at Origin Bar. In order to create the unconventional cocktail menu, Bursik immersed himself in the local produce – selecting ingredients that represent each neighbourhood’s specific flavours and aromas. The result: an enticing curation of cocktail recipes that explore Singapore’s history.
Among the signature cocktails, Origin is the bar’s namesake cocktail- this concoction of spiced pineapple, sugar cane, lime wine and gin reminds one of the nutmeg plantations in Orchard Road. Chinatown’s Safari Tea is a healing drink made up of chrysanthemum, bamboo leaves, jackfruit and blended whisky; while Little India’s Leaf the Curry is a swirling of aromatic curry leaves, aged rum, tamarind, and cardamom. Representing Boat Quay, the star is Daydreamer – made with green tea, raspberry, pistachio, and pisco. And lastly, the elegant Marina Bay is highlighted by the Pearl – a blend of tofu, elderflower, sea grapes, Mugi shochu and black forest gin.
In addition to the cocktail list, Origin Bar carries a well-curated selection of premium spirits and wines by the glass.
Opening hours: Origin Bar is open from 5 pm to 1 am from Sunday to Thursday, and 5 pm to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays
Origin Bar cocktails
Featured contributor: Caris Cruz
(Images credit Shangri-La Singapore)
