Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest As we are well into the first month of the brand spanking new year, people are looking for new places to go and new things to try. Apart from the new spots that are popping up like mushrooms all about town, our old reliable haunts are coming up with new drinks to delight and surprise imbibers old and new. The Long Bar at the Raffles Makati, an offshoot of the original Long Bar in Raffles Hotel Singapore (the birthplace of the famous Singapore Sling), evokes the grandeur of the colonial era in its design and delivers consistent, well-crafted cocktails to thirsty customers from all over. They also have one of the best happy hour deals out there (from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can enjoy free-flowing local and imported beer, cocktails, and red and white house wine and house pour liquors). The bartenders of Long Bar have come up with 10 new signature cocktails to tickle the tastebuds of discerning drinkers and to bring up their cocktail game to another level. El Dorado Jengimbre is inspired by a story about a lavish Amazonian king (The Gilded One), whose servants threw gold and diamonds at his feet. Jengimbre means ginger in Spanish. This crafted cocktail from Casa Noble Philippines brand ambassador Paul Perez uses Casa Noble Reposado Tequila (earthy and veggie notes) combined with fresh calamansi lemonade, fresh lemon juice, homemade Mexican Mule syrup, homemade garden vermouth (cucumber, lemongrass, celery), and chickpea syrup. It’s garnished with a chickpea dipped in gold powder and served in a glass set on an elegant metal stand. It’s refreshing, light like an aperitif, and a good drink to start a meal or a drinking session with. El Dorado Jengimbre Casa Noble Philippines brand ambassador Paul Perez Soul Searching, a softly masculine cocktail by Jenny Lopez, contains Johnnie Walker Black Label, ginger, rosemary, egg white, Ardbeg, and fresh lemon mix, served in a chilled coupette rimmed with muscovado sugar and garnished with a sprig of rosemary. Smoky yet delicate, with herbal tones and a hint of rosemary. You can request to omit the egg white for a clear, less frothy drink. Also, since it has Ardbeg, a very peaty whisky, it’s best to drink this last or stick with it throughout the night. Soul Searching Jenny Lopez Lights On, made by Orman Biag-ao, is like a gin sour with a cucumber twist. It’s made up of gin, cucumber juice, lemon juice, almond liqueur, and sugar syrup and is served in a lightbulb-shaped glass. It smells fresh but it’s very spirit forward—you will definitely be lit when you have a a few too many of these. Lights On South Sea, another cocktail by Orman, has gin, lime mix, and homemade vermouth (infused with tarragon and lemongrass). Served in a conch shell, the drink is slightly citrusy and quite spirit forward. More than relaxing by the beach, you’ll feel like you’re traversing the high seas. South Sea Reminisce is an easy to drink cocktail created by Carlo Ramos. Made with cinnamon-infused vodka, sour mix, and apple juice and served in a cinnamon sugar-rimmed baby goblet, it brings back memories from childhood and is refreshing, sweet, and fruity, ending with a cinnamon note. Reminisce Journey, another drink from Jenny, takes you on a sweet, spicy trip. Made with Mount Gay Black Rum, muddled Amarena cherry, yellow chartreuse, hot cinnamon bourbon, and dash of Angostura bitters, this bold drink ends with notes of banana. Journey Rain or Shine, Orman’s entry to the Bacardi Legacy competition, is fresh and vibrant. Made with Bacardi Casa Blanco, carrot juice, guava juice, lime juice, sugar syrup and mint, garnished with a carrot clip tied with lime peel, this easy to drink, silky, balanced cocktail has a strong shot at becoming a Bacardi Legacy cocktail. Orman Biag-ao, one of the five finalist for Bacardi Legacy 2017 Rain or Shine Three cocktails, made by Paul, round up the new cocktail menu: Perez Agavin Fizz (vodka, homemade Mexican bitter, full cream, homemade agave with honey vanilla syrup, calamansi lemonade, fresh lemon juice, soda water), Nobles Man (Añejo Tequila, spiced vermouth, agave syrup, homemade coffee bitters, homemade chocolate bitters), and Flaming Calmojito (Homemade Casa Noble chamomile-infused tequila, calamansi lemonade, agave syrup, lemon, mint leaves, soda water). Long Bar also serves delicious food you can munch on while sipping (or downing, we’re not here to judge) your cocktails. Apart from the complimentary Sung Sung peanuts (the shells of which you are allowed and encouraged to chuck onto the floor, which amused guests find charming while people in slippery shoes do not), they have a great food selection as well. Their bar chow has classic snacks like Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges, and tapas and different cheeses. You can’t go wrong with the Long Bar Chicharon, which is crunchy and satisfying. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, go for Tempura Fish and Chips (made of three kinds of fish plus Long Bar’s famous fries), served in warm pots and accompanied with a side salad. Sung Sung peanuts Tempura Fish and Chips Long Bar Chicharon Long Bar is located at the ground floor of Raffles Makati. For more information, visit their website.