Located in the corner of Duxton Hill is Ju Hua Tai (菊花台), an oriental-themed cocktail bar where traditional meets modern. If you’re wondering, yes, the bar was inspired by Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jay Chou’s hit song called Ju Hua Tai 菊花台.
From elevated modern Sze Chuan-inspired dishes to ever-changing craft beers on tap and artisanal tipples, Ju Hua Tai constantly challenges the boundaries of tradition with their creativity.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted by a large, gold Chrysanthemum mural on the wall and low tables great for groups. There’s also a sleek bar area adorned with bronze Chinese lion door knockers, adding to the oriental vibe of the bar! It reminds us of the Imperial Palace setting in the Ju Hua Tai MV itself. Above the bar in bright neon red LEDs, is the Chinese Idiom “隨心所欲”, which means to follow one’s heart’s desires. Don’t mind if we do. Let’s drink till our heart’s content!
Ju Hua Tai’s Signature Cocktail: Chrysanthemum’s Secret
Ju Hua Tai’s signature cocktail, Chrysanthemum’s Secret 菊花的秘密 ($22), is a must-try. Made from Chrysanthemum-infused 135 East Hyogo Gin, Lychee, Raspberry, Elderflower Liqueur, and is charged with Co2. It’s topped with a Chrysanthemum jelly carefully handmade by the very talented Bar Manager, Dee Atan, who also creates all of Ju Hua Tai’s awesome cocktails.
Light, sweet, and refreshing, with tons of florals and botanicals from the gin and elderflower liqueur. This is the perfect drink to start your night!
Love & Hate: Made with Gecko
For the adventurous, go for Love & Hate 爱鱼恨 ($20), a mixture of Gecko (yes, for real) and Chinese Herbs infused Barcardi Carta Blanca, Benedictine Dom, Giffard Ginger Liqueur, Dry Vermouth, Shiso Bitters, and Saline Solution. It sounds a little scary, but it’s honestly not!
The taste of Benedictine Dom is what stood out the most for us, along with the taste and aromas of Chinese herbs. The Ginger Liqueur peeks through slightly with a slightly spicy finish. This is definitely a potent cocktail not for the faint-hearted.
P.s. The team tried and tested this recipe for months before launching it on their menu. We’ve tried it too, and… We’re okay, so no worries!
Qin Emperor: A Majestic Drink
We also had the Qin Emperor 秦王 ($36), a cocktail named after the first Emperor of unified China. Mao Tai is mixed with Glutinous Rice Tea Cordial, Black Walnut Bitters and served with Pickled Lotus Root on the side. It’s slightly sweet, earthy and chocolatey with bits of small grains, and the flavours of glutinous rice and black walnut bitters are very distinct on the palate.
Drink like a King from the ancient-looking bronze goblet, used only for royalty during the Qin Dynasty.
Nimbus: Comes with Cotton Candy
If you have a sweet tooth, opt for the Nimbus 筋斗雲 ($23), another ‘gram-worthy cocktail made with Greater than Gin, Rosé Wine Infused With Three Liang Tea, Apricot, Lychee And Winter Melon Sugar.
Served in a wine glass topped with cotton candy that looks like a Nimbus cloud, and you’ll need to pour the cocktail in yourself. But hey, that’s half the fun! Watch the cotton candy dissolve and drip into the cocktail like raindrops to get a mysterious blue mixture.
Bar Snacks: Spicy Dumplings and Crispy Pork
We highly recommend the Szechuan Spicy Dumpling “Chao Shou” 猪肉抄手 ($13) – a dish of handmade pork dumplings tossed in peanuts and chilli oil, reminiscent of familiar Sze Chuan flavours. No cap, this dish can give a particular popular Chinese restaurant chain a run for their money.
The Power Crispy Pork “Xiao Su Rou” 强力脆皮猪肉 “小酥肉” ($15) is also another noteworthy dish. Thin pork strips dipped in a savoury, light batter, fried and served with a homemade Green Chilli Chutney that’s creamy, with just the right amount of heat.
Ju Hua Tai’s Baos
Ju Hua Tai has an exciting selection of 8 different baos to choose from. However, if you want the best of both worlds, go for the Bao Platter of 6 六式包拼盘 ($50); a mix of six different baos of your choice.
We had the Pork Belly Bao, Crispy Chicken Bao, Beef Rendang Bao, Soft Shell Crab Bao, Grilled Eel Bao and the Scallop Bao. Our favourite for sure was the Scallop Bao! The scallop was done tempura-style, served with baby asparagus, tobiko and Adobo sauce in a steamed charcoal bun.
Check out Ju Hua Tai for yummy bites and handcrafted cocktails. If you’re up for a surprise, you can even request a customised cocktail from Dee!
Address: 9 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089593
Opening Hours: 5pm to 10:30pm (Monday – Sunday)
Nearest MRT Station: Tanjong Pagar MRT
Disclaimer: We were guests of Ju Hua Tai, but all opinions remain our own.
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