The Secret Gardens menu at One-Ninety is a collection of cocktails that embody the essence of three famous gardens: Ooty in India, Montreal Botanical Garden in Canada, and Botanic Gardens in Singapore. Each city provides the inspiration for the bar team to transform stories into quaffable works of art.

“The refreshed menu embodies our continued quest of curating a stylish repertoire of innovative and contemporary drinks,” says Head Bartender Sophia Kang of the refreshing to spirit-forward cocktails. “We’re excited to extend a creative spectacle for our guests to immerse themselves in some of the world’s most iconic botanical gardens.”

We ploughed through all the new cocktails — all in a day’s work — and have highlighted our favourites from each garden.

Montreal Botanic

Kado with Nuet Dry Aquavit, Mancino Vermouth Secco, Maple Umeboshi, Yuzu, Lemon.

Inspired by Japanese floral events held in the summer, this pretty sipping drink evokes the essence of a flower bouquet, and I like the imaginative way it is served. The herbaceous aquavit and apricot-infused brandy is elevated with maple umeboshi and garnished elegantly with nanten midori. [Note: bars should use Midori more often.]

Battle of Orleans with Michter’s Single Barrel Rye, Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Frangelico, Mancino Vermouth Rosso Amaranto, Fernet Hunter.

The classic Battle of New Orleans cocktail is given a twist (add Frangelico, minus absinthe) until it has become a close cousin of the Vieux Carré. This new version is a spirit-forward remix that’s layered and powered. Drink with caution but with pleasure.

Ooty Botanic

Tamarai: Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, Lime, Lotus Orgeat.

A homage to India’s national flower, this citrus rum-based cocktail is a creative twist on a classic Mai Tai and a pretty sight with its deep-ruby lotus root garnish.

Kokko Negroni: ARC Botanical Gin, Campari, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Nuet Moments Toddy, Cacao Nibs.

Best cocktail of the night, probably. This one wins because of the clever inclusion of cacao nibs, which gives the classic just that little extra layer to savour. This spirit-forward creation — just in time for Negroni Week — comes adorned with a homemade tuille leaf made from spirulina.

Singapore Botanic

Zingiber: Vida Mezcal, Ancho Reyes Verde, Ginger, Turmeric, Lime, Fever-Tree Grapefruit Soda.

Think Paloma plus ginger, and you’re around the hood. The subtle smokiness of mezcal brings a necessary layer to help you enjoy the Peychaud’s bitters-soaked candied ginger. Sharp and persuasive, this works on many levels.

Rose of Sharon: Brass Lion Dry Gin, Muyu Vetiver Gris, Cointreau, Hibiscus, Pineapple, Yuzu, Grenadine.

This is Head Bartender Sophia Kang’s tribute to the iconic Singapore Sling; here, she fuses her Korean heritage and our red dot’s garden of plenty. This is a harmonious, easy-to-quaff cocktail that has transcended the original’s icky sweet notes. We did not start with this, but we could easily have.

All in, it’s a cocktail odyssey that’s paid off; there are plenty of cool tributes and classic twists. And while not every cocktail worked (I’m not partial to bananas, pandan or curry in cocktails), there’s enough variety here from fruity drinks, frothy cocktails and full-powered libations to please every other palate — there are also a bunch of zero-proof cocktails. Secret stories from famous gardens may have inspired the concoctions, but they won’t keep this batch a secret any longer.

The Secret Gardens Menu is available now at One-Ninety Bar, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

> For reservations, call +65 6831-7653, WhatsApp +65 9455-3466 or email: Dining.Singapore@fourseasons.com. 

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