Following a series of teasers in the form of a 4-city itinerary, Jungle Ballroom’s latest cocktail menu launch is a diverse 16-piece collection reflecting the rich tapestry of Asian flavours and cultures
Sure, an extended expedition traversing Asian cities seems relatively within reach–we’re literally in Asia. But if you can’t put life on hold for a year to explore Asia’s offerings, fret not as the mixology team at Jungle Ballroom has done it for you. Leave your passports at home, and take a much shorter trip down to the vibrant neighbourhood of Duxton Hill.
Tucked away in Mondrian Singapore, Jungle Ballroom is set to take patrons on an immersive sensory expedition with the new launch of its highly anticipated cocktail menu. Aptly named Jungle Journeys Vol. 2, the bold line-up comprises 16 carefully curated concoctions. Each one draws on the rich traditions, cultures and flavours of some overlooked regions across Asia, offering us a, in our opinion, refreshing exploration of the continent’s most underrated gems.
Quest for hidden flavours
Beyond a diverse selection of cocktails to cater to every preference, Jungle Journeys Vol. 2 quite literally represents a year’s worth journeying, filled with exploration, immersion, collaboration and discovery. Spearheaded by its manager Adrian Besa and assistant bar manager Akmal Haqim, the 11-country journey saw the duo from serene coasts of Okinawa to bustling streets of Manila with a simple mission as the driving force. “Our goal was to pay tribute to local flavours and cultures, and of course, the artisans behind these exceptional spirits,” shared Besa. “Each cocktail on the menu presents the underrated yet unparalleled tastes we’ve uncovered along the way.”
Through a artful mix of spirits and native ingredients, every cocktail tells a different story of the city and its culture. Take for example this masterful twist on the classic Amaretto Sour: inspired by their time at Vida Rica in Macau and the locally famed almond cookies, The Dragon is made up of gin, lemon juice, and almond vanila custard syrup, served in a pony glass and topped off with an almond crisp.
To be clear, Besa and Haqim weren’t mere tourists flitting from destination to destination, bar to bar. Fully immersing themselves in each environment, the pair lived and worked just as any local did at every point of their journey, taking on guests shifts at bars and learning the craft of the land alongside local distilleries and bartenders. “The ethos rises above creating innovative cocktails to populate a new menu. We wanted to showcase the richness of indigenous Asian spirits, and made it our mission to uphold these discoveries to its highest quality standards when presenting it to our guests,” said Haqim.
Raising the bar on mixology
To say the least, the Jungle Ballroom team has definitely set a new standard in cocktail innovation. From the gridlocked arteries of Jakarta to the thriving jungles of Cambodia, Jungle Journeys Vol. 2 is a seamless blend of familiar favourites and pleasantly unexpected twists, allowing guests a sensorial savouring of Asia’s diverse landscapes, one glass at a time. And we don’t say that lightly–you’ll know what we mean when a sip of the unanimous favourite Blue Ocean transports you to the coastal landscapes of Okinawa with its unique blend of spirulina and sea grapes.
