Singapore’s reputation for world-class gastronomy now extends firmly into its vibrant beverage sector, where cafes and cocktail bars are embracing bold creativity. The year 2025 marked a definitive shift toward experimental, high-concept drinks, positioning the city as a major force in global mixology. From sophisticated savory cocktails to elevated zero-proof coffee concoctions, a panel of local lifestyle writers and editors curated a definitive list of the five most memorable and inventive beverages they encountered throughout the year, showcasing where this dynamic creativity is brewing.
Elevating the Drinking Experience through Culinary Innovation
The selected drinks demonstrate a clear trend: dissolving the boundaries between the kitchen and the bar. Singaporean mixologists are increasingly incorporating complex culinary techniques, unexpected ingredients, and local cultural touchstones into their offerings, pushing beyond classic definitions.
1. The Twisties Sour at The Store:
Tucked inside a cozy neighborhood space, The Store offers an intriguing menu, but the Twisties Sour stands out for its audacious use of a beloved childhood snack. This cocktail infuses Tito’s vodka with the familiar cheesy corn flavor of Twisties, served with the snack itself on the side. The result is surprisingly refined.
“Actually not a huge fan of the Twisties snack, so this surprised me! It’s light and refreshing, and with an unmistakable whiff of cheesy corn,” noted Cheryl Sekkappan, Editor for Singapore and Asia, highlighting the drink’s delicate balance despite its unusual source of flavor.
2. The MF Martini at Gibson:
A cornerstone of Singapore’s classic cocktail scene, Gibson—the sophisticated sibling bar to Jigger & Pony—debuted the MF Martini, seizing on the growing global appetite for martinis. This stiff, extra-cold 2:1 ratio martini features micro-carbonation, adding a delicate fizz that expertly complements salty fried accompaniments.
Nicole-Marie Ng, Regional Content Director, APAC, appreciated the bar’s culinary pairing: “2025 was the year of the martini to me, so I was thrilled when Gibson launched their version of an adult happy meal—a martini that’s made for fries.”
3. Dog Days at Big Short Coffee:
For those seeking sophisticated non-alcoholic options, Big Short Coffee in Joo Chiat is redefining craft coffee. Their seasonal menus integrate methods typically found in molecular gastronomy and high-end cocktail bars. This year’s highlight, Dog Days, is a complex espresso drink featuring a blend of clarified cookie milk, fig leaf and hibiscus tea, and macerated strawberries.
Cam Khalid, Branded Content Editor, noted the fusion approach: “Big Short Coffee may not dabble in actual cocktails, but their drinks flirt with mixology… I left thinking about the Dog Days espresso.”
4. Banana Calling at Offtrack:
Combining top-tier vinyl music with exceptional drinks, Offtrack is a sonic and mixology sanctuary. Following its ascent to No. 23 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, the bar continues to innovate. The Banana Calling cocktail is a creative take on the classic gin sour, integrating subtle banana infusion for a tropical twist, reflecting the bar’s playful, high-energy environment.
5. Peanut Alexander at Jigger & Pony:
A multi-award-winning institution, Jigger & Pony remains a leader through continuous innovation. While famous for its espresso martini, the bar’s new “Embrace” menu introduced the creamy, savory-sweet Peanut Alexander. This adaptation of the lesser-seen Gin Alexander uses a base of cacao liqueur, cream, and salted peanut, elegantly balanced by honeyed fig notes.
Adira Chow, Senior Food & Drink Writer, praised its complexity: “I love a savory cocktail, and this one’s a refreshing spin on the lesser-seen Gin Alexander.”
The Future of Singaporean Beverages
The continued success and ambition of these establishments signal Singapore’s commitment to beverage excellence. By pushing flavor profiles and techniques—from infusing snacks into spirits to applying molecular methods to coffee—the city’s drinking scene is maintaining relevance and pioneering new global drink trends. Visitors and locals alike can expect further complex, delicious, and truly memorable sips in the years ahead.
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