Republic at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is set to unveil its highly-anticipated Volume Three cocktail menu on 23 July 2024. Celebrating a decade of breakthroughs, Volume Three captures the bold expressiveness and convivial spirit that flourished in the 1960s. This new line-up of 16 imaginative libations draws inspiration from the pillars of icons, media, aesthetics, and innovation, paying homage to the game changing moments, pioneers and cultured shifts that defined the generation.
“We are delighted to introduce our Volume Three menu, which reflects Republic’s commitment to combining classic cocktail craftsmanship with creative innovation. Each drink embodies the groundbreaking spirit of the 1960s, reimagined through bold flavours, cutting-edge techniques, and visually stunning presentations. Just as the 60s shattered conventions and sparked new ideas, this specially curated selection truly showcases our passion for mixology and our dedication to honouring the decade’s most iconic breakthroughs,” says Kelvin Saquilayan, Head Bartender.
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The swinging sixties witnessed the rise of iconic figures whose influence continues to resonate today, shaping and inspiring generations. As we celebrate the transformative era defined by individualism, freedom of expression, and seismic global changes, guests can anticipate savouring cocktails inspired by the enduring legacy of luminaries such as Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew, the King of Rock Elvis Presley, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and 60s supermodel Twiggy.
Founding Father pays heartfelt homage to Lee Kuan Yew’s visionary leadership and enduring legacy, spotlighting a refreshing creation that incorporates Singapore’s national flower, the Orchid, symbolising the nation’s rich heritage, using rum and sparkling wine to evoke sophistication and elegance associated with his leadership. Fool’s Gold presents a playful twist on the old-fashioned, celebrating the king of pop’s electrifying stage presence and devoted fan base with American whiskey and Jamaican rum, peanut butter, banana, and garnished with a decadent strip of turkey bacon, embodying the rebellious spirit of Elvis Presley. This unique concoction is named after Elvis’s fondness for the indulgent Fool Gold’s Loaf, a sandwich comprised of peanut butter, banana and crisp bacon.
Meanwhile, The Greatest celebrates Muhammad Ali’s commanding boxing prowess and charismatic showman persona through a bold rendition of a Boulevardier, sweetened with honey and adorned with a chocolate butterfly, referencing his iconic tagline “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. Twiggy pays tribute to the British fashion icon that defined the Mod era, bringing Earl Grey tea, chocolate cream liqueur and espresso together to mirror her androgynous style and dramatic eye make-up in an edgy Espresso Martini variation.
Media
The 1960s marked a profound evolution in media, as influential publications and productions began to shape lifestyle coverage, news, and cinematography, igniting a cultural shift that broadened our thinking and perspectives. This transformative decade saw a surge in media’s impact, with its pervasive reach spanning from sensationalist headlines to the emergence of the nightly sitcom, permeating every aspect of life and fuelling an insatiable hunger for more content that helped shape our understanding of the world.
Republic captures this vibrant media narrative through a quartet of cocktails. Among them, Woman of the Year commemorates the pioneering spirit of Her World Magazine, Singapore’s first women’s magazine published in 1960. This invigorating gin and sparkling wine-based cocktail is elevated by ginger chilli honey and edible gold stars, signifying the grace and vigour of women’s collective voices. Headliner is a nod to incisive editorial perspective of the era, offering a sweet- savoury spin on the classic Irish Coffee with milk chocolate liqueur topped with cream cheese foam. On the other hand, Big Screen Boom honours the silver screen legends of the decade,
blending scotch whisky, homemade popcorn cordial, ginger ale and salted caramel served with popcorn for a fun and playful touch. Completing the lineup, Agent 86 is based on the hilarious sitcom Get Smart. Garnished with a cherry apple that closely resembles an olive, this crisp vodka- based cocktail captures the show’s light-hearted humour and comedic flair.
Aesthetics
From mid-century aesthetics to avant-garde modernism, the psychedelic movement emerged, evolving from the geometric stylists of the 1950s into the vibrant world of Pop Art. The 1960s saw a surge in creative experimentation that challenged convention, birthing innovative designs that embodied a decade of cultural revolution.
This era of artistic exploration was characterised by abstract expressions that pushed boundaries, influenced by artists like Frank Stella. Reflecting this artistic journey is Visions of Stella, a fruit- punch style drink with hints of coffee, adorned with a slab of meringue, echoing the multi-coloured looped curves prominent in Stella’s works. Similarly, Psychedelia takes reference from the vibrancy of the psychedelic movement, where explosions of colour, organic shapes, and immersive optical illusions flourished. This complex yet harmonious tipple combines unexpected ingredients such as dessert wine, maraschino and lychee liqueur, lavender bitters and olive oil, much like how psychedelic design pushed the boundaries of visual expression.
Named after renowned Nanyang artist Cheong Soo Pieng, a pioneer of modern art, Layer by Layer encapsulates his innovative and experimental endeavours and features unconventional components like pickle juice, celery and wasabi foam, and radish. Just as Cheong’s artworks are carefully crafted and thoughtful, with attention to detail and artistic vision, this cocktail similarly unites innovative flavours to create a balanced and fully realised taste experience. Lastly, Republic’s reimagined Egg Chair, a sleek design of the era by Arne Jacobson, is interpreted as a smoky whiskey-based cocktail infused with raspberry and coffee. The cocktail is nestled within an “egg chair” and served with a pair of velvety chocolate truffles.
Innovation
The 1960s was a period that propelled humanity with groundbreaking milestones, exemplified by feats like the Gemini program and the popular Astro Lamp craze. This period epitomised audacious dreams, boundless possibilities, and a spirit of embracing new freedoms while challenging conventional norms.
Embark on a celestial journey with Gemini – a whimsical twist on the classic gin and tonic infused with orange and a wedge of orange jelly, this cosmic concoction is a nod to astronauts’ preferred orange beverage known as Tang. Lava Lamp mesmerises with vibrant fruit caviar, reminiscent of the buoyant blobs in the decorative lamp, set in sparkling wine.
Bullet Train was crafted in recognition of the Shinkansen, a modern engineering marvel that propelled high-speed rail travel around Japan. This sleek libation boasts Japanese elements, such as Matcha-infused sake and a garnish of seaweed rice cracker. Fly high with Speed of Sound, a toast to the legendary Concorde, which revolutionised jet travel with its luxury and supersonic speed. This sophisticated cocktail seamlessly blends gin, rich butter, sweet marmalade syrup, delicate St. Germain Elderflower, and a hint of citrus, capturing the essence of the iconic jet’s elite service, cuisine and exclusive perks.
For reservations, visit www.republicbar.com.sg, call +65 6434 5289 or email rc.sinrz.republic@ritzcarlton.com.
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