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| Absolut Vodka, the Swedish pride |
It was a pleasure attending such a simple yet thoughtful cocktail mixing and tasting session last Saturday with fellow bloggers. I am pretty sure many have shared their thoughts about it. Here's my own's scribble of mine. It was actually my second time (only) attending such session event where the opportunity to witness the mixologist skillfully mixing the favorite and luscious cocktails from scratch recipes is well beyond any words of random and exciting description.
Thanks to Elwyn's courteous invite, I was able to tag Evelyn along for whom she will be my photographer of the night. The event was held at View Rooftop Bar at G Tower beginning at 8pm. It was also my first time visiting the bar and I was elated with the outcome of my attendance of the event. If you are wondering how to get there, some instructions will be given at the end of this post.
IT REMINDS ME OF HOME
I was bedazzled by interior setting. Unlike any other bars in town, View Rooftop Bar has a very exquisite taste to resemble a modern home. It comes to not surprise that the setting itself resembles your own private mini bar at home, indulging a fusion of contemporary and futuristic layout. Indeed, it gives the guests the exact senses of feeling at home, pampering their fatigue minds with a glass of favorite mixture of cocktail to quench your throat with sleazy and temperate electronic music to hit the eardrums. Smooth and silky. Revitalizing yet laid back. What follows are the embedded simple slideshow that I have created to enable you to preview the actual sensual mood of the bar itself. Like they always said, a picture tells a thousand words uniquely to its viewer.
BEFORE WE QUENCH ALL THE SIX
The suave mixologists of View Rooftop Bar have prepared six savory cocktails for our tasting and review that night. The band of expert in mixture of desired flavor and savory is headed by Mr Rizal Junior, the bar manager cum head mixologist. The band performed an over-round demonstration that requires not only exquisite skills; but also strong mental test of acquiring the exact ingredients, vigorous hand muscle to shake the drinks up in a resemblance of 'heart shape' and on top of all, the heart to produce a fine mixture. In the end of the day, witnessing how the mixologist performed from their counter makes me impressed as much as seeing an international circus live!
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| A gesture of salute. Mr Rizal Junior raised a toast of Absolut Vodka before he began his demo |
Before the mixing was done, a toast of dry Vodka is a tradition that will never lost. A customary of salutation and desires. I was made to understand by one of the mixologist that the primary ingredient in their recipe of cocktails is Absolut Vodka. The Swedish version of worldwide recognized vodka leaves a palatable taste that lingers with amazement.
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| Six elegant and curvy cocktails that starred on that night's show |
THE TESTAMENTS
I have the privilege of able to taste all six cocktails prepared that night. The inability to get up close or standing right in front of the mixologists are never an excuse for me to tap in when ever they performed the demonstration. I was lucky to have tested all the six and what you will read next are based on personal opinions. No one's taste buds are the same with another anyway.
All six drinks were found in their list of menu; in fact are also the most popular mixtures in the bar and even elsewhere. There were:
(1) Absolut Strawberry Basil Smash
A cocktail band consisting of 2 shots (50ml) of Absolut Vodka, 4 shots (100ml) of lemon juice, strawberries and muddled basil leaves atop, served in chill and prepared via vigorous shaking to the essence. It is my ultimate favorite cocktail of the night. It is well balanced on the tongue with no overwhelming taste from the Vodka or the strawberry. It is also refreshing and savory grand on the silver plater.
(2) Absolut Pineapple Cardamon Martini
Mixing the ingredients of 2 shots (50ml) of Absolut Vodka, 2 shots (50ml) of pineapple juice, a quarter to half shot of cardamon sweet syrup for extra sensation and three cardamon seeds atop, served in chill and prepared via vigorous shaking to the essence. It is a great rendition of martini that uniquely presented with cardamon, a common ingredient in curry making. The taste is effectively and strongly affected by the cardamon which leaves a tingling sense of juicy salivary effects from the 'curry element'.
(3) Absolut Cinnamon Martini
This alternate version of Apple Strudel Martini is made from 2 shots (50ml) of Absolut Vodka, half of a green apple, a quarter to half shot of sugar syrup, half a shot (15 ml) of lemon juice and a pinch of cinnamon powder atop, served in chill and prepared via vigorous shaking to the essence. The decision to add green apple into this cocktail is rather a good call because of the implicit taste arisen from the taste buds. It is also an explicit example of tantalizing the traditional mixture of apple and cinnamon beyond the customary by leaving a great desire of good taste. I personally loved this drink because am a cinnamon lover myself.
(4) Absolut Apple Rosemary Martini
This drink is a derivation of normal Rosemary Martini, but there's a catch. It is made from 2 shots (50ml) of Absolut Vodka, 4 shots (100ml) of lemon juice, a quarter to half shot of sugar rosemary syrup, a shot of apple juice and decorated with springy rosemary leaves atop, served in chill and prepared by vigorous shaking to its essence. Pretty much like the Cinnamon Martini, this one is overwhelmed by the fragrant and satisfying aura of the rosemary leaves. It comes out as one of the most interesting cocktail of the night, blended with exotic and wildly lingering of nature in well-balance drink. My second best shot of the night!
(5) Absolut Passion Tini
The night continues with another refreshing fruit cocktail - this time from one of my least favorite fruit, passion fruit. Easily combining 2 shots (50ml) of Absolut Vodka, a shot of passion fruit juice, a shot of lemon juice, half a shot (15ml) of vanilla syrup and decorated with a vanilla bud on the side; this is as exotic and as bizarre to me as it appeared very bold. While I do not really enjoy passion fruit in general, I am somehow attracted to the richness in well-balanced flavor and strong natural vanilla essence that truly smashing. It's a shame that I have yet to get myself fond with this drink.
(6) Absolut South Beach
Hailed as the 'vodka' version of mojito by simply replacing it with rum; was made from 2 shots (50ml) of Absolut Vodka, a shot (25ml) of lemon juice, a shot of sugar syrup and mint leaves atop. If you are not a fan of the Cuban rum, you should try this since Absolut Vodka has a much pleasant taste. This drink is universally recognized and rather easy to make. The name itself is appropriate because South Beach takes you to the sea breeze and sunshine warmness around the throat. It is gentle, smooth and perfectly balanced in the sweetness of sugar and sourness of lemon. On top of that, mint provides ample refreshment.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Address: Level 29, GTower, 199 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Sun - Thurs: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am; Fri - Sat: 5:00 pm - 3:00 am
Dress Code: Casual (no slippers and shorts please!)
Mode of Transport: Cars, taxi or LRT (at Ampang Park station followed by a short walk)
Contact Details: (TEL) +603 2168 1881; (WEB) http://www.VIEW.com.my; (E-MAIL) ask@view.com.my
Hey, please be informed that MilkADeal users can get the greatest deal of cocktails beginning this June 28. Go to View Rooftop Bar and check MilkADeal site to get an exclusive 54% OFF for your own cocktail session.
[54% OFF] Any 2 cocktails and 1 snack on the menu for RM 49 nett instead of RM 105.60.