The House of Suntory works with six innovative restaurants to create 18 artisanal cocktails that celebrate the bountiful season of autumn.
While the slow turn of the season is not felt on our tropical shores, the year-end drawl certainly calls for the same search for warmth, comfort and a pensive, breathing moment of calm. Almost as if timed together with the world’s collective sigh of relief from our two-year life sabbatical, the House of Suntory presents a season-appropriate selection of artisanal cocktail creations, carefully crafted this month in an homage to the season of bounty.
Since 1899, Suntory has been developing finely crafted Japanese spirits for Japanese people, its unchanging flavours authentically and quintessentially Japanese to the core. To situate these classics in a refreshing light, the House taps on the innovative and bold potential of six restaurants — Akira Back, LUMO, Neon Pigeon, Tess Bar, The Guild and VUE — to create 18 Sensational Expressions of Autumn.
Each outlet features three exquisite cocktail creations, designed to accentuate the signature characteristics of its corresponding craft spirit from the House of Suntory: Roku Gin, Haku Vodka and Chita Whisky.
Read on to see how these drinks shine even brighter when pulled into a curious assortment of liquid candy concoctions.
Akira Back
Contemporary Japanese restaurant Akira Back pairs Chita Whisky’s sweet honey finish with apple and cinnamon to create a comforting, autumnal spin on an Old Fashioned with Suntory Sutairu ($26). Omotenashi ($24) is an autumnal gin & tonic with the refreshing flavours of yuzu combined with Roku Gin’s floral and citrus notes.
Finally, inspired by a mid-autumn tradition, Otsukimi ($26) expertly weaves the delicate aroma of Haku Vodka together with yuzu and earthy Japanese shiso, creating a twist on the Vodka Sour.
LUMO
The warm and hospitable modern European food joint Lumo celebrates fall with its unique take on Last Word – Autumn Festive ($22), a cocktail with fruity notes in grapefruit soda and Luxardo Maraschino, complemented by the citrusy notes of Roku Gin. Crimson Leaves ($22) is inspired by the gradient hues of vivid orange, yellow, and red in the autumn season, combining tart apple, grapefruit and roselle flower-infused Haku Vodka.
The coolness of autumn also brought to life Perfect Weather ($22), which layers chamomile and thyme on top of the sweetness of Chita Whisky.
Neon Pigeon
At this edgy izakaya, the Mepuru ($25) exemplifies Neon Pigeon’s blend of Japanese culture with modern urbanity – a twist on the Martinez, sake and Japanese maple syrup coming together with ChitaWhisky to imbue warmth and life into the classic cocktail. Ringo ($25), a Martini-style cocktail, features the crispness of red Fuji apple, with the mellow fragrance of sakura oak accentuated by the subtle sweetness of Haku Vodka.
In Jagaimo ($25), Roku Gin’s floral and citrus notes are complemented by nashi pear and umami flavours of sweet potato foam seamlessly blended into one.
Tess Bar and Kitchen
The bustling, fun-filled eatery on Seah Street, presents Sweater Weather ($23), a twist on the classic gin & tonic tart that uses yuzu and delicate elderflower to highlight Roku Gin’s citrus notes. Fresh Fall Morning ($23) is an autumnal New York Sour that combines the deep and complex fruitiness of the Japanese Kyoho grape with the sweetness of Chita Whisky.
The Perfect Autumn ($23) brings the tartness of umeboshi together with the inviting freshness of red shiso in a beautiful dry martini, accentuated by the subtle delicate aroma of Haku Vodka.
The Guild
The craft beer taproom and restaurant serves three autumnal cocktails that compliment the cosiness of their space. Fall’s Toast ($25) evokes an evening spent around a campfire with the toasty notes of chestnut, brown rice green tea and the mild sweetness of kinako converging with the sweet honey finish of the Chita Whisky.
Next, the Osmanthus Moon ($23), made with Haku Vodka and inspired by the full bloom of the osmanthus flower during Mid-Autumn festivities, brings out the delightful flavours of the flower, with delicious Peckham pear. Lastly, Autumn Sour ($23) displays the refined and mature flavours of the season with ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, uplifted by the floral and citrus notes in Roku Gin — a perfect drink for an evening out with friends.
VUE
Arguably an eating spot by Marina Bay with the best view, Vue’s take on the White Lady, Lady in Blue ($26), pairs Roku Gin with fresh and bright pineapple and lime citrus flavours with Roku Gin, a splash of blue curacao lending a gentle orange aroma to the drink. For a cocktail reminiscent of an evening by the fireplace, Hakutan ($30) embraces the subtle sweetness of Haku vodka, elevated with peppery notes from bamboo charcoal and nuttiness from toasted genmai.
Autumn’s Stroll ($26) heralds the turn of the season with a balance of floral chrysanthemum and tart, delicate clear umeshu. The gentle spiciness of ginger present in this cocktail delights the palate and makes way for the sweet honey finish from Chita Whisky.
All cocktails will be available until 31 October. Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our August 2022 issue.
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