CO2 Coffee Bar is a sleek space decorated predominantly in white and silver. — Courtesy photos
Heady mixes brewed up by combining two beverage cultures
MOST people associate CO2 with carbon emissions but at one Kuala Lumpur establishment, it is the formula for innovative concoctions.
CO2 Coffee Bar in Pavilion Bukit Jalil specialises in and derives its name from the synergy of the two beverage cultures of coffee and cocktails, which it christens ‘cofftails’.
They resonate deliciously when paired together and adventurous drinkers will find it a match made in heaven.
Breaking new ground was what founders Kisson Chin and Tan Sze Lee set out to do when they opened the bar in early 2022.
It is at the mall’s Pink Zone entrance on Level 3, just a stone’s throw from the iconic golden rooster water fountain.
Its white and silver space with sleek glass, marble and metal finishes exudes futuristic vibes. The logo, derived from the infinity symbol, is used as a design element on window shading.
Chin, who is also managing director, said, “We share a passion for coffee and mixology; why not bring both together to create new experiences?”
Mixing caffeine and spirits is nothing new. The Espresso Martini has been around since the 1980s.
The tasting sets of three offer the same coffee bean three ways — a white cuppa, black cuppa and cofftail.
But it was only recently with the rise of craft cocktails that bartenders started to delve deeper into the nuances of different beans, roasts and extraction methods to create ever more sophisticated drinks.
Coffee is said to have four times as many tasting notes as wine and this allows the cherry picking of flavours, much like mixing different spirits to achieve a desired taste in a cocktail.
CO2’s line-up of beans change seasonally but may include Ethiopian Sidamo Premium, Keffa Bonga and Guji Uraga Tea Rose, Costa Rican El Penon F1 and Brazilian Peaberry.
It is best to experience the line-up in the tasting sets that offer three different preparations of the same bean – typically a black, a white and a cofftail.
By day the bar feels more like a cafe, with tasty grub like burgers and pastas alongside non-alcoholic cofftails such as the cold brew-based Passiflora and Cina-Cina.
The former has floral notes mixed with dried pineapple, passionfruit and orange while the latter has a distinct Oriental feel from the tingling Sichuan peppercorns and jasmine tea.
By night, CO2 becomes a full-fledged bar with signature cofftails like Wake Me Up taking centre stage. The botanical notes of its cold brew base went well with the smokiness of bourbon, nuttiness of almond-flavoured liqueur and light acidity of passionfruit.
The Pour Over Negroni gave a classic a caffeinated edge while Serenade No.6 used tequila, cognac and white vermouth to enhance the sweet notes of espresso.
Wake Me Up is a CO2 signature cofftail. — JEREMY TAN/The Star
The Long Black here is not your average cuppa as it has Campari, cranberry and sour for added complexity.
The Summer, with vodka and fruity elements over cold brew, is more refreshing.
Tan said, “We study the characteristics of every bean and match it with different types of spirits. We also incorporate elements of molecular mixology to create unique flavours.
“Coffee and cocktails are both art forms in themselves. Blending them together allows us to break traditional boundaries.
Those preferring to avoid caffeine are catered to with a selection of non-coffee cocktails. One called Truffle Boulevardier catches the eye.
The Boulevardier is a classic variation of the Negroni, substituting punchy gin for warmer whisky. Here, Chin uses smoky bourbon washed with truffle oil. This imparted an earthy pungency to the oaky spirit, allowing the unmistakable fragrance to linger long after every sip.
“We respect the original but gave it another character. It’s a sophisticated flavour profile that will spin on the tip of your tongue,” Chin said of the creation.
Other notable concoctions include the Guan Yin Martini using gin infused with the popular tea and honey jujubes, and 25 Meter Deep built on peated whisky and dry vermouth.
Dinner offerings include Herb-Crusted Pork Belly, Duck Confit, Beef Borguignon, light bar bites and skewers. There are also bottled cocktails-to-go.
If you love your daily dose with a difference, this place is an option.
CO2 COFFEE BAR, E3.109.00 Level 3 Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Bandar Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 10am to midnight daily.
Tel: 03-8080 7199.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
