Mancino Vermouth Secco *NEW

In response to the lack of good vermouths on the market, Hong Kong- and Europe-based bar and beverage consultant Giancarlo Mancino set about making his own fortified wines the way people back in the 1900s(!) did it—steeping herbs and spices in water in what he describes as a “giant teapot” for up to 30 days, then flavoring a wine base with the resulting botanical concentrate. This small batch vermouth is crisp, aromatic and mouth-watering, and works well as an aperitif or in martinis. It also comes in Bianco and Rosso versions.

Available at The Library, $12

Olive Oil Washed Vodka *NEW

For this creation, the Library's bar crew gently shake up a combo of extra virgin olive oil and Russian vodka, let the mixture sit overnight, freeze it, and then strain it through a coffee filter. The result is a clean, flavored spirit with no fat particles remaining. Adventurous drinkers can try it in the Kino-Pravda, where it's added to mango pickled in Mancino Vermouth. Tea, botanical spirit, lemon and an unexpected touch of pine round off this complex cocktail.

$24 in the Kino-Pravda! at The Library

Cinnamon-infused Gin *NEW

Spiffy Dapper head bartender George Abhishek Cherian is a bit of a DIY guy when it comes to cocktail ingredients, so this joint is chock full of infused spirits like the house spiced rum, coffee rum and French rosebud vodka. They even dehydrate their own orange slices for drinks like the old fashioned. We like the cinnamon-infused gin, which has a spicy kick perfectly accented by cherry heering, angostura bitters and lemon juice in the rather unusual Drugstore Cowboy.

$20 in the Drugstore Cowboy at The Spiffy Dapper

Cherry Bitters

Grain spirit, spices, herbs and morello cherries are prepared using the sous vide method to create the intense bitters which go into Tippling Club classic the Juniper Sling. Inspired by its namesake scent (by perfume house Penhaligon’s), this cocktail is served in a fragrance bottle. The aromatic drink recipe also includes Grand Marnier, gin, cassis, juniper and cinnamon syrup.

$23 in the Juniper Sling at The Tippling Club

Chrysanthemum-infused Whisky

To make a batch of this smooth concoction, barkeeps combine 30g of chrysanthemums, 15g of goji berries and two bottles of MAD’s house pour spirit, Grey Goose Famous Grouse blended Scotch whisky. They leave the whole shebang to infuse for just 20-25 minutes and the result is a sweet aromatic mixer with well-balanced flavor. A jigger of the blend is matched with lemon juice for the bar’s whisky sour.  

$17 in the Whisky Sour at MAD

Mango Black Tea-infused Vodka

For this fresh tangy brew, Alphonso mango black tea is left to steep for two to three hours in vodka till it develops a complex tropical fruit flavor. The dark amber spirit is then shaken with lemon juice and sugar syrup, and finished with a lemon-mint garnish for The Garden of Eden cocktail.

$26 in The Garden of Eden at CUT

Who did you look up to growing up?
My father was a very important person in my life. He was my best friend, my rock. I loved him very much. I was lucky to have great parents, who have always supported me.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
I have always admired Frank Sinatra. I had the chance to meet him and to record with him and he was not only an amazing artist—with an historic voice—but also a wonderful person, very generous and kind. I feel lucky having had the opportunity to perform duets with many other incredible artists, like Simon and Garfunkel, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Plácido Domingo, Willie Nelson, Sting, Paul Anka, Stevie Wonder...I learnt a lot from all of them.

Are there younger musicians who you mentor today?
Well, I wouldn´t say I am a mentor for the young musicians. There are many young talented artists nowadays and I admire their determination and everything they have achieved. It is very important to be focused on what you want and to work hard. It’s not easy to reach the top, and it’s even harder to remain there.

What’s the most difficult part about growing older?
Having little time left.

Do you see yourself ever retiring?
Life has been generous with me. I hope to have the chance to perform for many years—if the audience wants me to. I love music and simply couldn’t live without it.

What’s one tip you’d give younger performers?
Enjoy each second on stage, work hard and be generous.

What would you have done if you’d never gone into music?
It’s difficult to say, because I cannot imagine my life without music. When I was young, I played for the Real Madrid Junior team, as a goalkeeper. I might have become a football player, but after a car accident when I was 20, I couldn’t do it anymore. Doctors thought I would never be able to walk again, but life gave me a second chance. During the recovery, I discovered music, started to write songs and the tragic accident turned into an opportunity. It completely changed my life.

Julio Iglesias 1 World Tour is on April 27 at the Compass Ballroom.

Why did you decide on an all-male cast?
When I read the play, I could just hear Oscar Wilde's voice in every character, especially in Lady Bracknell’s. So I thought that since this was my tribute to Wilde, why not cast every character as himself. Besides that, I thought it would be fun and naughty—something I think Wilde would have approved of.

Are there any specific difficulties or perks to working with an all-male cast? 
Working with a cast full of male egos can be difficult but not when the biggest ego is my own. I always tell my cast to leave their egos at home because the rehearsal room has only room for one.

Any wardrobe malfunctions?
The actors have a competition to see who can lose the most weight by opening night—pure vanity—so the poor wardrobe mistress has to constantly take in the waist on their trousers.

Why did you decide to bring the show back?
My audiences were clamoring for it so I finally acceded to their demands!

How is this staging different from the 2009 version?
Besides the inclusion of Lim Kay Siu as the Reverend Chasuble—who falls in love with Hossan Leong's Miss Prism—we are thrilled to present for the first time a young and talented brand new string quartet who have been handpicked and mentored by the Tang Quartet as the next generation to possible succeed them.

What parallels can be drawn between Victorian society and Singapore society?
The superficialities and hypocrisies of the elite and middle classes. Need I say more?

The Importance of Being Earnest is on April 10-May 4 at The Drama Centre.