Pompaloma, a top creation of Maria’s Signature, uses pomelo which is synonymous with Ipoh.
MARIA’S SIGNATURE
Lot 157, First Floor, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, KL
Business hours: 11am to 9pm, daily
Reservations: 010-902 0386
Primarily known for its prime beef cuts, the cocktail menu at Maria’s was created by Malaysia’s first female award-winning mixologist Amanda Wan.
The 10-cocktail menu reflects Maria’s origins, using Ipoh’s signature ingredients.
One of the signature drinks, Pompaloma, uses pomelo, which is synonymous with Ipoh. It is mixed with reposado tequila, grapefruit juice, agave syrup and lime juice with pomelo pulp.
Ipoh’s famous peanut brittle is incorporated into the Sesame Sour cocktail, featuring a mix of bourbon, roasted hazelnut toffee syrup, lemon juice, sesame oil and egg white.
Oolong Fashioned is a concoction of bourbon infused with longan, oolong tea syrup, Angostura bitters as well as torched longan shell.
Other cocktails include Violet Tonic with a lavender and butterfly pea-infused gin, elderflower, pandan syrup, lime juice and dried rosebuds while the Earl Grey Tea-Ni is a mix of vodka, milk-clarified Earl Grey tea, rose syrup, lemon juice, egg white, crushed rosebuds and orange slivers.
The cocktail menu is available at Maria’s restaurants in Bangsar, KLCC, 1Powerhouse and Sunway.
At Arthur’s Storehouse, the Black Velvet is made from Irish stout and prosecco.
ARTHUR’S STOREHOUSE
Lot C4.06.02, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL
Business hours: Noon to midnight, daily
Reservation: Online/ 016-660 6292
At Arthur’s Storehouse, try the unique concoction of Guinnesstini – a mix of vodka, Kahlua, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, espresso and ice-cream.
The Guinness Black Velvet made from Irish stout and prosecco is also a good choice.
For a stronger drink, go for the Guinness Whitmore made from bourbon, stout, sugar syrup and bitters.
There’s also the St James Gate, a mix of Irish whiskey, coconut milk, Guinness and nutmeg or cinnamon.
The Guinness Milkshake is more like a dessert as it comes with two scoops of vanilla ice-cream.
A twist on the classic Bloody Mary, the Guinness Mary comes with tomato and lime juice, vodka and Tabasco sauce.
Guests can also dig into delectable Guinness-infused dishes and check out Guinness merchandise at this place.
Baijiu shooters lend the East Asian vibe at Baijiu.
BAIJIU KL
Lot 4, Lorong Panggung, KL
Business hours: 5pm till late, daily
Reservations: 018-367 9387
Stepping into Baijiu at Kwai Chai Hong in Lorong Panggung is like being transported to an East Asian setting replete with Chinese-inspired motifs.
The unique element here is the use of baijiu (Chinese grain liquor) – a distinctive alcohol base that is often described as having a sweet, fruity fragrance with a touch of nuttiness – in cocktails.
Twelve signature cocktails paired with tropical fruits such as pink guava, jackfruit and pineapple as well as the popular baijiu shots await guests here.
Baijiu-based cocktails such as Pisang and Lotus Pink tantalise with fruity flavours before the grain liquor dominates.
Those hankering for a bite to eat have dim sum options to go with the cocktails.
PS150
No.150, Jalan Petaling, KL
Business hours: 6pm to 2am daily
Reservations: 03-7622 8777 (WhatsApp available)
PS150 is housed in a pre-war shoplot next to a tiny stationery shop in Petaling Street.
The space is divided into three seating areas that represent three distinct eras in the history of cocktails – pre-Prohibition era with its opium den theme and intimate booths, post-war with its Tiki outdoor courtyard and the contemporary era represented by the main bar.
Befitting its Chinatown location, Far Eastern accents liven up the bar while its interior harks back to a darker yet more exciting time in our city’s history.
The cocktails draw from bold South-East Asian flavours using distinct ingredients that are native to this part of the world.
Some signature cocktails here are Lychee No.3 that is made from dry gin, lychee liqueur and lime juice, and Salty Chinaman, which is a concoction of preserved lemon-infused vodka, preserved lemon peel, orange bitters and Sprite.
