I must confess, I do enjoy the occasional tipple (or three!). Of the different indulgences I allow myself, the fanciest option when I’m enjoying a night out—and my personal favourite, no matter the occasion—is a delicious cocktail. There is just something magical about how simple ingredients can come together to create an infinite blend of flavours. Add a shot of imaginative storytelling and there you have it, a brilliantly crafted cocktail. And while on the hunt for yet the next “best” cocktail, I spent an evening at Republic, the bar located in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. For its new Volume Three menu, both the cocktail menu and glamorous space have been dressed up to fit a 1960s theme.
Right from the get-go, Kelvin Saquilayan, Head Bartender at Republic, and his team welcome you in with casual conversation that goes beyond the usual shallow chitchat. Kelvin and the other bartenders went into detail about the brand-new menu and each of the four groups of cocktails—Icons, Aesthetics, Innovations and Media, while painting a picture of the vibrant ’60s. Soak up their infectious energy, and you’ll have a great time, just like I did.
Throughout the night, I tried four different concoctions from the menu, the Founding Father (inspired by Singapore’s very own Lee Kuan Yew), Visions of Stella, Bullet Train and finally, The Greatest. I enjoyed Visions of Stella in particular, not just for its wonderfully blended notes of coffee, dessert wine, maraschino and lychee liqueur. But also for the storytelling behind the beverage—Visions of Stella references American artist Frank Stella and his irregular, colourful works. Remember, it’s all about the 1960s.
One might not expect a bar to dish up good, nay, great food. But Republic accomplishes just that with its bar bites menu. Though unassuming at first, the Grilled Eggplant Hummus was a standout dish, with rich flavours that made every bite of pita worth its calories. The Charsiew Bun was another item, with a sticky, sweet glaze slathered on thick-cut pork, enveloped in a soft white bun. People say never drink on an empty stomach, and at Republic, you won’t have to.
I capped off my night with The Greatest, the bar’s take on a Boulevardier. The addition of honey and a sweet chocolate butterfly made it the perfect nightcap. It wasn’t long before I sauntered home, dreaming of the cocktails I didn’t have the chance to taste. From the 16-creation menu, the next on my list is Twiggy, a modern Espresso Martini, inspired by the fashion icon who epitomised the Mod era. Notes of Earl Grey tea, chocolate cream liqueur and espresso? Yum.
The Republic bar is located at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, find out more here.
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