Bar Review: Jigger and Pony Forges Into The Future With Its New IDENTITY Menuzine

PUBLISHED April 15th, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED April 21st, 2023 02:02 pm

Ranking No. 12 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 and second on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 lists, Jigger & Pony undoubtedly sets the bar (pun intended) for Singapore’s cocktail scene. First opened on Amoy Street in 2012, the stalwart bar known for championing the revival of classic cocktails moved to Amara Hotel in Tanjong Pagar in 2018. Ten years on and on top of its game, Jigger & Pony expresses its future aspirations in the best way they know – through cocktails.

Within their latest menuzine – their signature style of menu in a magazine format – you’ll find over 20 cocktails that “highlights our strengths, the diversity of ideas we stand for, and the stories of our bar, bartenders and community – all of which contribute to our identity,” as Bar Manager Uno Jang shares. Split into two main sections, “What Got Us Here!” and “Where Are We Going?”, we focus on the latter that asks and tries to answer questions about the future.

The Sustainable Way Ahead

Keystone topics like sustainability and environmental impact have led the high-volume bar to consider alternatives to common sustainability approaches. Instead of zero waste and upcycling, the bar takes small and measurable steps, repurposing by-products and reducing food wastage.

Sake kasu, a by-product of sake brewing, and strained curd from the bar’s Soy Milk Punch cocktail spring into a new life in the Cloudy Kangaroo. Inspired by natural wines, the cocktail is left au naturel in its cloudy state. The aromatic drink carries fruity notes with a punch of soya milk in the aftertaste. Stirred in with Haku Vodka, sherry, and peach, the natural cocktail’s sweet and silky texture makes it an easy start to the night – it’s great as a dessert course too.

Adopting ugly B-grade fruits that fail standards of supermarkets and restaurants, Ugly Tomatoes perfectly honour the imperfections. The tomatoes are trucked in from neighbouring Malaysia – thus with a lower carbon footprint – and the cocktail is served in Kimura Crumple glassware, echoing the notion “shape doesn’t matter”. And indeed it doesn’t, as the sweet, slightly spiced and savoury tipple shaken with Hapusa Himalayan Gin and housemade kummel left us smacking our lips.

Sourcing Local, Going Global

A highlight of the specially crafted Honey Magnum is its smooth mouthfeel from ageing in beeswax. Together with raw honey from Singapore’s only urban bee garden apiary, the bourbon-based drink is balanced with strawberry wine and beetroot—a fresh drink with a touch of sweetness. Even out of Singapore, the team aspires to source honey locally in the countries where they run guest shifts. 

Staying True to The Classics

With a name that already denotes classic cocktails, it’s no surprise that Jigger & Pony pour meticulous research and development into analysing and mastering them. After the bar’s success with the Espresso Martini, comes the Dirty Martini. To achieve its savoury notes and texture, housemade brine, extra virgin olive oil emulsion, and Bombay Sapphire Gin. We get a flavoursome and textural cocktail, minus the overly greasy feeling. Plus, it’s served with a winning trio of olive garnish stuffed with miso, cream cheese, and black olive for the ultimate umami explosion!

A tribute to the community, the Highball gets an upgrade to Super Lemon Highball in IDENTITY. The super crisp drink gets its citrusy undertones from a freezing technique, which extracts lemon water from freshly squeezed lemon juice. Combined with Hokkaido ultra soft water and Suntory World Whisky AO via the Japanese maewari technique for 72 hours, it’s carbonated before being served with a delicious lemon jelly garnish, repurposed from the remaining lemon concentrate and honey.

Non-Alcoholism as Liberation

IDENTITY also includes non-alcoholic options crafted with the same amount of effort and precision without compromising their taste. A refreshing Pear & Hops balance the herbaceous and spicy undertones from Seedlip Spice with the natural sweetness of pear, and a non-ABV option for Negroni-lovers in Coffee & Cacao.

With all that drinking, you’re bound to feel peckish. Jigger & Pony’s kitchen presents a menu of sharing plates, like the delectable Black Pepper Crab Dip (S$21++) with toast, and Bikini Sandwich (S$24++) aromatic with truffle butter to go with the tipples.

With its welcoming and buzzing vibes and warm hospitality, this bar certainly calls up images of a living room in the city. Think modern, sleek lines, glossy bar counter, plush seats and a central socialising table. Those looking for a more “private” area can head to the mezzanine, with a smaller bar, plush seats and soft lighting.

Jigger & Pony is located at Amara Singapore, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539, p. +65 9621 1074. Open Tue-Thu 6pm-12am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am, Sun 6pm-12am. Closed Mon.

Top Image: Super Lemon Highball