Made with Earl Grey-infused dry vermouth, bergamot liqueur and rose sorbet, Mr Snowman leans into earthy tea notes.
Forget the partridges and pear trees.
This December, Astor Bar at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur is giving the classic carol a spirited twist with its “12 Cocktails of Christmas” menu, trading in French hens and milking maids for a dozen of festive drinks.
The highlight is the bar’s signature Bauble Cocktail, a drink crafted with 12 ingredients in homage to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Bartender Jerry Jong said the cocktail took several tries to perfect.
“The challenge is getting the ingredients to work in the cocktail as it involves a myriad of flavours.
“It is very tricky to strike a balance in taste, but after several tries, we managed to perfect it,” he said..
The Bauble Cocktail features mandarin orange-infused vodka, Cointreau, clove, basil, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, orange peel and simple syrup.
It is served inside a transparent Christmas bauble ornament, placed atop a glass with ice, cranberry and rosemary.
As part of the presentation, the bartender uncorks the ornament and pours the contents into the glass, creating a festive and aromatic effect.
The drink itself is refreshing, balancing mandarin orange sweetness with citrusy and spicy notes – a perfect starter for the evening.
For the discerning whisky drinker, the Pomme Royale and the Winter Highball present a perfect study in contrasts, offering two distinctly different yet equally satisfying flavour profiles.
Taking a twist on the classic Old Fashioned, the Pomme Royale mixes apple-infused bourbon, demerara and orange air.
This spirit-forward drink delivers a Christmassy taste with a hint of apple sweetness.
The writer’s personal favourite cocktail, White Dove, is topped with chocolate bearing the St Regis’ emblem.
The Winter Highball, meanwhile, uses Scotch whisky, carbonated apple-spice shrub, cherry bitters and sea salt, resulting in a bubbly and slightly savoury finish.
As a coffee lover, my personal favourite was the White Dove cocktail, which blends coffee, cacao-nib rum, milk, coffee liqueur and dry sherry.
This drink is commendable for its complexity; it greets the palate with a whisper of chocolate on the initial sip, followed by a lingering, distinct coffee finish.
Yet, in stark opposition to the White Dove stands the Swan Noir, a citrusy creation consisting of duck fat-washed rye whisky, rosemary milk, Asian pear, and apple and lemon topped with white chocolate shaped into a feather.
For this cocktail, the pear truly shines and complements the rye whisky, adding lovely grainier notes.
For something more adventurous, the Merry and Umami cocktail is made with beef-bacon-washed vodka, tomato basil cordial and sea salt.
The cocktail is an intriguing combination that offers a delightful burst of umami – a surprising yet whimsical savoury creation.
A bartender preparing cocktails at the Astor Bar counter.
Gin festive cocktails include the Crimson Carol, Mr Snowman and Winter’s First Kiss.
Mixed with sloe gin, cherry liqueur, orgeat, lemon and absinthe, the Crimson Carol has a distinct hint of almonds from the orgeat, which might be an acquired taste for some.
However, the sweetness of the sloe berries expertly dials down the flavour, making it quite pleasant.
The Mr Snowman cocktail –made with Earl Grey-infused dry vermouth, bergamot liqueur and rose sorbet – capitalizes on earthy tea flavours and an elegant taste.
Others to try include Poire 75 and Yule Tide, which has a tequila base, as well as North Pole Sour, which has a dark rum base.
Bauble Cocktail contains 12 ingredients.
Cocktails are priced at RM75nett each, which includes two canapes.
Other small bites such as garlic chicken strips and truffle fries are also available a la carte.
The 12 Cocktails of Christmas menu is available until Dec 31.
ASTOR BAR, Level 2, St Regis Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, KL. (Tel: 03-2727 6696) Business hours: 5pm to midnight.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
