Renowned gin purveyor Hedrick’s recently launched their take on the notorious spirit – Absinthe, right on our sunny shores. While the first time Hendrick’s dabbled into this misunderstood, mythical liquid, was back in 2019… The recipe has since been perfected and we’re thrilled to try it!
Behind the Creation of Hendrick’s Absinthe
After years of experimenting with wormwood to create Hendrick’s Orbium, Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Ms Lesley Gracie, started realising the uncanny similarities between gin and Absinthe, and sparked her curiosity to experiment with the latter.
Taking the two traditional botanicals in Absinthe, ‘Artemisia absinthium’ (a.ka. wormwood) as well as star anise; along with seven additional botanicals, including Hendrick’s Gin’s signature infusions of rose and cucumber, you’ll find Hendrick’s Absinthe has unexpected floral notes and is refreshingly approachable on the palate.
Not Just in Rinses or Dashes
Carefully crafted to bring the approachability of gin to the spirit, Hendrick’s Absinthe has a lower ABV of 48% and has all natural flavours and no colouring, hence its clear expression. Traditional green fairies have an average ABV of a whopping 70%, by the way!
Designed to allow the spirit to take centre stage in all cocktails instead of just rinses or dashes, bartenders can now use Hendrick’s Absinthe as a core component in their creations.
Low Tide: Lost, But Found
Lost, But Found is inspired by the Low Tide team themselves. They are brimming with creative talent, a wide range of artistic acumen, and the practice of artistic self-reflection!
Combining Hendrick’s Gin and Absinthe, as well as flavours of the sea you get from the kombu and nori, Lost, But Found has a complex and unique taste. Hitting your tastebuds, first are umami and slightly salty notes, followed by a sweet and zesty aftertaste from the white wine aperitif, mint and lime.
Stay Gold Flamingo: Intro to Absinthe 2.0
Inspired by the works of Jackson Pollock, Intro to Absinthe 2.0 is a re-imagination of one of Stay Gold Flamingo’s signature cocktails, Intro to Absinthe. Intro to Absinthe 2.0 maintains the ethos of the original tipple and takes the creative process up a notch by incorporating elements of Jackson Pollock’s “drip technique” in the preparation process.
Chilled Hendrick’s Gin is dripped over earl grey tea leaves, combined with a mixture of Hendrick’s Absinthe, carbonated coconut water and salt; then garnished with a piece of white chocolate spattered with edible paint, as well as dried rose petals. The coconut and earl grey notes in the Intro to Absinthe 2.0 were relatively subtle, and the white chocolate added a hint of sweetness to balance the flavours – a surprisingly excellent pairing!
Employees Only: Spoliarium
Inspired by the painting “Spoliarium” by Filipino Artist Juan Luna, which depicted how one can influence change through art, this eponymously named cocktail also seeks to spark conversations and the exchange of ideas.
Spoliarium is made with Papaya French Vermouth, Hendrick’s Gin and Absinthe; with salt and a blend of aromatics from the bitters, fennel and cinnamon, complete with an acidic zest from the lime. On the nose, you’ll get a robust, citrus aroma and an initial savoury approach on the palate, followed by nuanced papaya notes.
20 renowned bars in Singapore offering their own cocktail creation using Hendrick’s Absinthe:
To celebrate the arrival of Hendrick’s Absinthe in Singapore, 20 bars have each curated their own Hendrick’s Absinthe cocktail. Each creation was inspired by the Belle Époque era of creative freedom and untamed artistic imagination.
Rediscover the modern Hendrick’s Absinthe through these delectable and unconventional cocktails, available at the following bars till 23 October 2022:
- ATLAS Bar
- Barbary Coast Ballroom
- Barbary Coast Deadfall
- Employees Only
- Fat Prince
- Jekyll & Hyde
- Jigger & Pony
- Low Tide
- Manhattan
- Night Hawk
- Nutmeg & Clove
- Papa Doble
- Revival
- Sago House
- Stay Gold Flamingo
- Sugarhall
- TESS Bar
- Writers Bar
- The Bar @ 15 Stamford and Nemesis.
Hendrick’s Absinthe will be exclusively available on-trade.
Disclaimer: We were guests of Hendrick’s, but all opinions remain our own.
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