Bar Review: Alleybar Wipes The Slate Clean With Clarified Cocktails At Peranakan Place, Singapore
PUBLISHED December 2nd, 2020 05:30 am
If there was ever a cocktail bar in Singapore that so thoroughly captured the unique essence of its locale and history, Alleybar would be it. This elegant cocktail bar is nestled among the Peranakan shophouses of Emerald Hill Road, restored in 1895 to reflect the best of Straits Chinese architecture, with intricate glazed tiles and pastel walls.
The unique culture of Peranakan Place is one Alleybar seeks to pay homage to, with its interior remaining largely similar to its former incarnation as a museum of Peranakan culture, and its menu boasting a range of locally-inspired Signature Cocktails. The latest addition? The Untold Edition.
Cocktails like the Piña Colada and Singapore Sling have a bit of a bad rep among many, but Alleybar seeks to give them a new lease on life. This trio of clear concoctions utilises the age-old technique of milk clarification, where milk is added to a cocktail and made to curdle, after which the curds are strained to leave behind a drink that’s practically transparent. This technique has seen somewhat of a renaissance in the past few years, great not just for imparting clarity but also a silky smooth texture, making for a cocktail you can throw back oh-so-easily.
The Ghosted Colada (S$20) is proof that piña coladas aren’t just for the beach. Butterfly pea syrup adds a ghostly blue tinge, the only hue in an otherwise colourless cocktail. But take a sip and it’ll become quite clear that this drink is immensely flavourful — this take on the classic adds a touch of lime for acidity and pandan for an earthy note that rounds out the flavours beautifully.
Nonbelievers should also give the Singapore Sling another shot by way of The Invisible Sling (S$20). This drink is a sweet marriage of Widges gin, Dom Benedictine, cherry brandy, and triple sec. But it wouldn’t be an Alleybar cocktail without their extra-Singaporean twist: a kaffir lime leaf-infused pineapple juice and a hibiscus syrup instead of the usual grenadine.
If you’re a fan of the whisky sour, The Unseen Sour (S$20) is a faithful yet refreshing take on the classic. A floating red layer of Merlot adds not just a scarily intriguing visual touch, but also a hint of astringency that takes this zesty Bulleit-based cocktail to another level.
To round out your night, why not try one of their inventive signatures? Their Lapsang Souchong (S$20) is an herbaceous, smoky tipple (and assistant bar manager Joshua’s personal favourite!). The eponymous pine-smoked black tea is infused in vermouth, and mixed with gin, green chartreuse, chartreuse gentian, and housemade bitters. Be warned though — this one packs a punch, and is definitely one to savour.
Alleybar is located at 2 Emerald Hill Road, Singapore 229287, p. +65 6738 8818. Open daily 3pm — 10.30pm.
Photos courtesy of Alleybar.
