Most are lesser bars. This is not. Great, great cocktails. Essence of fruit. Hand-squeezed. Clear in thought and flavour. Comfort. Seductive and contemplative. Not overly solemn.

Mangosteen sake sublime. Striking, intoxicating nose. Slight pulp. Satisfying mouthfeel. Clear Bloody Mary fantastic. Spicy, fresh gazpacho. Sparkles like a living creature. Smoked martini creeps to the back of the throat. Spreads roots of cherry and coriander. "stood there in the cold, the last bits of my dream like figures in the distance, hard to hold"

White negroni. Sensuous body. Yuzu toys with the tongue. Moscow mule good but ordinary. Passionfruit with Tumugi better. Mango with rum amazing. Rich, thick, filthy head. Chewy body. CNY special. Mandarin orange. Yuzu bitters. Mangosteen.

There are others. Endless others. There's chocolate, a secluded corner, a lumbering slab of wood awash in dim lights, a promise to return. Many bars in the city. None quite like this.

#gooddrinks #burpple #cocktail #bar #mixology #japandrinks #barshakekl #foodgazer #igersmy