Smash means different things to different folks: “Let’s smash the party tonight”, “It’s a smash”, or “I’ll smash that hottie” (ahem). In this Smash menu’s context, J&P’s bar manager, Uno Jang and his team revisit a bunch of classics (modern ones and classic classics) and remake them with terrific techniques and stylish simplicity. 

The trusted Margarita is given an Asian twist with spices and a lollipop; the familiar fave Lychee Martini is brought up-to-date with extraction techniques; and the Ramos Fizz is given depth with champagne and layers of fun. When you peruse the menu and order the drinks (or have staff explain it), you can sense the fun and glee that went into its research and execution.

I love it. These are my top picks:

For certain groups of dinosaurs drinkers, they’ll remember when they had their first Lychee Martinis: No 5 Emerald Hill, Zouk, maybe Double-O. This fresh Lycheetini blends the familiar fruit distillate with sweet potato shochu, rambutan chips and botanicals to create lychee vermouth. This results in a lengthier drink, which you’ll still gulp down in no time. 

Smash factor: 4 out of 5. 

During the bar’s recent guest shifts in North America, this Spicy Margarita was the bestseller, and rightly so. Their take is stirred, not shaken, and stir you can as well with the agave lollipop coated with Japanese snow flake salt. The clarified apple and lime oleo cordial add zing, while you can zap your cocktail with increasing levels of spiciness — the hottest level is a coat of spicy beer foam.

Smash factor: 5 out of 5.   

What the bar team has done here is embrace the idea that the Ramos Gin Fizz has many layers and is a bother to make by separating the five layers using kitchen techniques (too complicated to get into, but impressive), resulting in an elegant take that’s smoooooth and delish. With this Champagne Ramos Fizz, you experience textures and taste sensations: ruby port for character, and Telmont Champagne brings earthiness. Kudos to the crispy bread crumble. 

Smash Factor: 3 out of 5 (only coz I’m not a fan of cream).

The granddaddy of cocktails is given a luscious mouthfeel without any fuss. This Velvet Negroni is a no-ice take, but killer kitchen tricks help to bring a velvety (natch) and balanced touch. It goes without saying:

Smash factor: 5 out of 5.

I think they smashed this out of the ballpark, this home run will be talked about for a while.

Jigger & Pony, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Amara Hotel.

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