The River City Paloma cocktail, inspired by Ocean Tattoo’s original artwork celebrating Singapore’s ecosystem and the intrusion of its nature into urban spaces, embodied here by the playful otter (artwork: Ocean Tattoos)
Singapore’s beloved neighborhood bar, 28 HongKong Street, is introducing a captivating new cocktail menu titled DR-INK!. This innovative menu is a collaboration with four local tattoo artists, featuring signature cocktails inspired by their unique designs. Each drink reflects the artists’ personal experiences, childhood memories, and nostalgic influences from Singapore, bringing a new dimension to the bar’s offerings.
The DR-INK! menu is a visual masterpiece, presented in a hardback format showcasing 12 signature serves alongside the tattoo art that inspired them. Additionally, the menu features 10 new ‘28 Classic Twists’ and 10 ‘28 Classic’ serves, making it a 32-cocktail collection that dives deep into the heart, spirit, and legacy of 28 HongKong Street. It celebrates the vibrancy, artistry, and technical prowess of modern cocktail culture in Singapore.
Guests will receive a faux-leather bound menu that begins with a condensed ‘speed’ summary of the twelve new signature drinks. As they turn the pages, they can explore detailed descriptions of each serve, accompanied by the original tattoo artwork. The menu includes intuitive symbols indicating each drink’s Alcohol By Volume (ABV), key flavor profile, and glassware.
One of the standout cocktails is the River City Paloma ($28). Featuring Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal, Avallen Calvados, tomato shrub, citrus, grapefruit soda, and a hint of saline, this savory highball is paired with Ocean Tattoo’s striking otter artwork. It’s a playful twist on the classic Paloma, served with a house-made black bread crostini and furikake garnish.
Another highlight is Petals, Pincers and Parallels ($27), a refreshing highball made with Brass Lion Singapore Dry & Butterfly Pea Gin, lemongrass cordial, Mancino Bianco vermouth, citrus, and tonic. This amethyst purple drink is garnished with fried rice paper and tahini, complementing the fresh floral notes. Tattooist Clifford Wong’s whimsical pastel orchid crab perfectly captures the drink’s essence.
Pushing creative boundaries, Samsui Synthwave ($26) combines Matcha Ilchiko Shochu, Horchata liqueur, Amaro Lucano, coconut milk, and egg white. Served in a porcelain cup, this rich cocktail honors Singapore’s samsui women, depicted as a boom-box brandishing frog in Clifford Wong’s design, nodding to the city’s love of frog porridge and the bar’s hip-hop vibe.
For those seeking elegance, Femme Fatality ($28) is an exquisite martini-style cocktail with Greater Than Gin, chrysanthemum, absinthe, Benedictine, and honey vermouth. Inspired by a tattoo design from Of Gods and Monsters, it is served with a homemade rose lollipop that adds sweetness and floral notes when stirred into the drink.
The Burung Bathikan ($26), inspired by Honest Bob Tattoo’s batik burung design, features Aba Pisco, house-made rambutan shrub, St Germain elderflower liqueur, and Mancino Sakura Vermouth. This twist on the Pisco Sour is adorned with pandan leaves, reflecting the merging of local tradition and Western modernity.
Tattoo art is deeply ingrained in the cultural identity of the bartending industry. To ignite their creative process, the 28 HongKong Street team collaborated with four renowned tattoo artists to create 12 artworks. These designs inspired Tamaryn and her team to craft a dozen unique signature cocktails, each going through multiple iterations and receiving feedback from the entire venue team.
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Ambra NYC is a foodie’s paradise! The vibe is chic but not over the top, making it a great spot for anything from a date night to a group outing. I had their eggplant parmesan, and it was out of this world—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and smothered in rich marinara sauce. The service was friendly and knowledgeable, adding to the overall great experience. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes! Click for more.