Cat Bite Club
The Cheshire cat smiles at the fortunes of this agave and rice spirits bar.
Among the perfectly balanced Cat Bite Club cocktails, there are some new esoteric dimensions: a whisky spray on the savoury concoction Sippin’ Shroom or the coffee edge to a delicately fruity and creamy drink expressed in three emojis: mango, potato, and smash. These new players are pushing the agave and rice spirits charter with considerably more edge than previously seen.
The drinks responsible for Cat Bite Club's rise to #77 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, like Paloma, Tomato is a Fruit, and Espresso Martini, remain on the pages, and no, they are not all relegated to the back page under House Faves. The new hybrid menu, which lists the old and the new on the same pages, still opens with the bestseller Cat Bite Margarita. “ We sell over 200 Margaritas a week,” says co-founder Jesse Vida, announcing that while they have doubled the cocktails on offer, they won’t ever change their hero cocktails.
Gin, vodka, and whisky-based drinks are also featured, along with Asian flavours and spirits like pineapples, persimmons, soju, shochu, and Makgeolli.
This time, the carbonated Hulk Splash appealed the most for its piney aromas and layered palate. Consider the ingredients that blend citrus, bitter, and earthy elements: Ocho Blanco Tequila, Kiwi, Fresh Citrus Blend, Fernet Hunter Granit, and Roasted Broccoli.
No, that’s not a typo. I’ve never spotted broccoli on a cocktail menu before, so what’s the dreaded vegetable doing here? We asked Minwoo, the drinks creator. “The Broccoli adds nuttiness and vegetal notes,” he said confidentially. The flavour is infused in the tequila, and somehow, the blend works- the cruciferous green leaves a subtle impact and contrasts well with the kiwi and cardamom’s citrus and tangy notes.
Newly appointed head bartender Erika Danielle, armed with a sociology degree and bar creds from 28 Hong Kong Street and Low Tide, leads the bar team of six, while founder Jesse Vida and Gabriel Lowe consult their expertise to newly opened Ida’s Bar in Gillman Barracks, Hotel Intercontinental lobby bar as well as guest shifting at Formula 1 unending list of celebratory soirées.
Cat Bite Club
75 Duxton Rd, Singapore