GREENERY and gin share more than a refreshing quality; both are expressions of botanicals – one in its natural form, the other distilled into a glass.
That connection comes to life at Passion Garden – a breezy, foliage-framed gin bar at Parkroyal Penang Resort.
Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves from a giant skylight above, creating ever-changing interplays of light and shadow.
It is the perfect setting to savour the intricacies of gin, a spirit flavoured with ingredients drawn from the natural world.
From the juniper berries that give the spirit its name to citrus, herbs, spices, flowers, bark and roots, there are diverse combinations with distinct flavour profiles.
“We have over 40 varieties of gin from classic London Dry, Old Tom and Plymouth styles, to more modern aged, flavoured and distilled expressions.
“It is the biggest selection you will find in Batu Feringghi,” said hotel F&B director Christopher Ong.
For purists, the timeless Gin and Tonic remains the best way to explore each bottling, with the tonic enhancing rather than overpowering the botanicals.
“Gin has a naturally refreshing and cooling character. And that feeling is complemented by the greenery here,” Ong said.
“So sit back with a drink, relax and take in the wonders of nature around you.”
For those seeking a more adventurous sip, Passion Garden offers a range of craft cocktails.
The Lychee Gin and Tonic or LGT is a bright, fruit-forward take on the original, balancing the delicate floral sweetness of lychee liqueur with fragrant peach syrup and a squeeze of lemon.
The tonic adds a quinine bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check, while star anise imparts a warm, liquorice-like aromas.
“It is one of those rare cocktails that both women and men seem to love. It’s among our bestsellers,” added Ong.
Meanwhile, the Salty Dog pairs a herb-forward gin with tart grapefruit juice and a salt-rimmed glass.
The citrus gives it a zesty uplift, while the salt tempers the spirit’s bitter notes and a sprig of rosemary gives it a piney finish.
Javana Passion turns up the tropical character, blending gin with melon liqueur, mango juice and passionfruit kernels, which bring an intensely fragrant, sweet-tart burst.
Off-menu creations are also available on request, such as the Death Star.
Despite its ominous moniker, the cocktail arrives in a sunny shade of yellow, anchored by gin and the intensely herbal notes of Jagermeister.
Lemon juice, honey, bitters, star anise and cinnamon syrup add layers of complexity, resulting in a bright yet richly spiced tipple.
A large ice sphere keeps the drink chilled while doubling as a nod to the fictional, planet-sized space station from Star Wars.
Ong said the bar recently introduced a tapas menu, available daily between 5pm and 8pm.
“Rather than typical deep-fried bar bites, we went with a bold fusion of Malaysian, Italian and Spanish flavours that pair well with the gins and cocktails.”
The Black Angus Beef Balls in Arrabbiata Sauce and Sauteed Black Angus Beef Cubes provide a tender, juicy counterpoint to the drinks.
Meanwhile, the Spanish-style Garlic Pepperoncino Prawns and Trio of Marinated Olives with Silver Anchovies and Crispy Capers bring a spicy, briny character to the table.
Stuffed Cannoli with Beef Bresaola and Roasted Pistachio Cream Cheese rounds off the spread with a sweet-savoury twist.
The bar also has daily Happy Hours from 7pm to 9pm, with discounts starting from 20% on selected drinks.
A live, two-piece band plays every Friday and Saturday from 8.15pm until late.
Passion Garden, Lobby, Parkroyal Penang Resort, Batu Feringghi Beach, Penang. (Tel: 04-886 2288). Business hours: 10am to midnight Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 12.30am Friday and Saturday.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
