PARCHED | CE LA VI: SIGNATURES, SLUSHIES & CLASSICS

Industry stalwart Din Hassan heads up Ce La Vi’s bar program, and he has just created an extensive cocktail menu filled with Asian and local ingredients. So are these gonna fly high or stay grounded? (See what we did there?)

We like the presentation of the cocktails, it’s fun, fresh and not too fussy (you don’t have to spend too much time figuring things out). The Signature range has seven new cocktails, below are our favs.

celavi cocktails malayan sun & sand

Malayan Sun & Sand: A nod to the classic Blood & Sand, this is misted with the Laphroaig Quarter Cask atop a mix of Chivas Regal 18 year-old Scotch, Martini Rosso, Peter Heering cherry liqueur and fresh citrus juices. You’ll be surprised how many bars in Singapore don’t make a B&S because they don’t have Heering cherry liqueur, so we welcome this edition by Hassan. It’s the closest thing in the new series to a classic, so it’s also our fav.

celavi cocktails botanic 57

Botanic 57: A refreshing tipple balanced with citrus notes of sour green grapes, fresh lemon juice, and local cucumber with aromatic hints of lychee and pear from elderflower liqueur, and Grey Goose vodka. Works as a welcome drink, like a Marguerita. And speaking of, Hassan has his version of the famous Tommy’s Margarita – a classic variant where agave nectar is used to enhance the citrus notes of the traditional cocktail.

[ Check Out Ce La Vi’s Aperitivo Cocktails for a Hot Afternoon ]

celavi cocktails bibik's delight

Bibik’s Delight: Kaya is combined with Havana Club Anejo rum, Cointreau, tea, and a hint of honey citrus, for a tipple that pays homage to local, nostalgic flavours. Love the name, and the kaya is just subtle enough to evoke sweet memories and not be overwhelming. This might be a great breakfast tipple if you’re having one of those days.

celavi din hassan Hassan and his team also concoct reinterpreted classics, with interesting new takes on the White Russian, Whiskey Sour and Mojito. From the Slushie program the Frozen Negroni sounds good but we didn’t get to try it. Will be back, as that pesky time-travelling android likes to say.