Jungle Ballroom launched its new and refreshed cocktail menu, Jungle Journeys Vol.2, featuring an extraordinary collection of sixteen unique cocktails inspired by the vibrant cultures and flavours of Asia. As part of Jungle Ballroom’s unending hunt for flavour, the menu is an homage to the team’s adventure through eleven countries: Thailand, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Malaysia, Macau, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the homebase, Singapore. Each cocktail encapsulates the essence of its origin, transporting guests on a sensory exploration of each city’s culture.

At the core of Jungle Journeys Vol. 2 is heart; and an aspiration to spotlight the remarkable yet often overlooked spirits and flavours of Asia. The journey began in late 2023, Jungle Ballroom Manager Adrian Besa and Assistant Bar Manager Akmal Haqim set out to uncover and collect gems of native ingredients, anecdotes of craftsmanship and storied origins to bring back. The result – Jungle Journeys Vol. 2 – presents a rich tapestry of cultures that speak of the vibrant cocktail scene in Asia to create a distinct and varied menu. “Our goal with this new cocktail menu was to pay tribute to the local flavours and cultures, and of course, the artisans who craft these exceptional spirits,” Besa shares. “Each cocktail is an exploration of the underrated yet unparalleled flavours we discovered along the way.” This ethos is evident in every cocktail, each one reflecting the team’s genuine appreciation for the traditions and innovations of the territories they explored.

The creation of this menu was an ambitious endeavour that required a deep dive into learning the backends of Asian mixology. Their year of travels took them to bustling metropolitan cities and serene landscapes alike, where they took on guest shifts at local bars, experienced living and working at homegrown distilleries with talents and artisans to ensure that the indigenous spirits and flavours sourced were upheld to the highest and truest standards of quality and craftsmanship. “Our hunt across Asia was about more than just creating new and innovative cocktails; it was also to curate a diverse collection of indigenous spirits for our guests,” says Akmal. “This is not just a cocktail menu, it’s a showcase of the richness of Asian flavours and of our mission to bring the very best of these exceptional Asian spirits to Singapore.”

Jungle Journeys Vol. 2 features Jungle Ballroom’s unique and elevated twist on classic cocktails, designed to resonate with familiar palettes while introducing new dimensions to reflect the team’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of mixology, inviting guests to experience classics through a fresh lens.

The Dragon offers a creative twist on the classic Amaretto Sour, featuring Johnnie Walker Gold, almond, and custard. Inspired by the team’s guest shift at Vida Rica in Macau and the popular local almond cookies, this cocktail is crafted with gin, lemon juice, and almond vanilla custard syrup, served in a pony glass and garnished with an almond crisp topped with caramelised sugar.

 

 A Jungle Ballroom favourite, Blue Ocean presents an inventive interpretation of the classic Dirty Martini. Comprising of Okinawa Gin, toasted rice vermouth, and a unique blend of spirulina and sea grapes, it is served in a sleek martini glass and garnished with a delicate ginger flower. Inspired by a trip to a local Okinawan distillery, the drink captures the essence of the town’s refreshing flavours and coastal landscape.

Meanwhile, Ube reimagines the concept of a liquid dessert, drawing from the traditional purple yam desserts from Adrian’s hometown in the Philippines. This cocktail is crafted with Ube Cream Liqueur native to Pampanga, Belvedere Vodka, jackfruit, all topped with coconut cream and served in a pony glass with a garnish of coconut dust.

The official unveiling of Jungle Journeys Vol. 2 on October 16^th, 2024 is a celebration of the team’s exhilarating experiences and encounters, and a testament to Jungle Ballroom’s unending quest for flavour and innovation, and their commitment to building Singapore’s most extensive showcase of indigenous spirits. So come on down, and gear up as you conquer Asia’s diverse jungle landscapes.