We all know is bursting at the seams. So it came as no surprise to me that the drinks were just as exciting. Whether you queue at a local cheep 'n' cheerful favourite, grab a bag on-the-run or indulge at one of the enticing cocktail bars on offer, here are a few of Singapore's sought-after drinks that made my tastebuds tingle during a recent visit.
Michael Jackson
At most hawker centres you’ll find this sweetly dotted jelly drink. Half soy milk mixed with half grass jelly, it gets its name from one of the King of Pop’s most well-known tracks, “Black or white”.
Source: Adam Liaw
Milo dinosaur
Milo is one popular offering and this dinosaur is huge! A large mug of ice, milo and condensed milk is then topped with a generous scoop mountain of Milo. And if this seems a little mild for you choc malt fantasies then the Milo dinosaur can easily become a Godzilla with more powder AS WELL as a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Bandung
This rose syrup drink is a Malay concoction and consists of evaporated milk, water, sugar, rose essence, red colouring and ice. Whilst it is notoriously sweet it is also refreshing on those warm Singaporean days and nights. There are many variations to the bandung, including natural or soda water, regular, evaporated or condensed milk and of course the amount of sugar, depending on your preference.
Fresh lime juice
A serious thirst quencher Singapore’s lime juice is a lot like fresh lemonade and is served at most hawker markets and streetside restaurants. It’s zingy, refreshing, not too tart, not too sweet and is a great accompaniment to a spicy laksa, or simply solo as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Source: SBS Food
Start your morning with a serious kick. The kopi brew is beloved by locals and hails from the migrant Hainanese coffee shop owners of the 1900s. Whether you prefer your coffee black, with milk, condensed milk, with or without sugar or slightly thicker in brew, kopi o’clock is on and you can get your hands around a cup for as little as 80c! And if you can't decide between kopi or teh (tea) then you don't have to with a cup of yuanyang - milk tea with a hit of coffee.
This wild confection is based on a triple threat of popular Southeast Asian ingredients – pandan, coconut and palm sugar. It mightn't be the prettiest, with its green “worm-like” pandan jelly-ish noodles (cendol), but it’s all in the flavour as the cendol is combined with fruits, coconut milk, shaved ice and a gula melaka (palm sugar) syrup chaser. Serious slurping cred can be earned right here, so grab the spoon.
Singapore is known for its Sling and Raffles Hotel created this vibrant gin-based cocktail over a century ago. Topped with pineapple and lime juices, this is Singapore's happy hour classic and widely considered to be its national drink. Get your hands on .
Source: Adam Liaw
Duck Bath Cocktail
This rubs-a dub-dub with an adorable, quirky (and delicious) cocktail. Expect duckies, suds and champagne bubbles galore as the presentation will leave you squeaky clean.
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