Sitting at the beach, feeling your feet in the sand and sipping on a summer cocktail — that is the relaxing spirit of summer for many. But the reality of our 9-to-5 jobs jolts us back to sunny Singapore and there’s hardly any time to slow it down. That doesn’t mean one shouldn’t be allowed some moments through summer-centric cocktails — our colleagues at Men’s Folio have some of recommendations that will help to mellow down the hustle with their new spread of cocktails this summer.

Eph518 Cocktail Bar

Sparked from the idea of an afternoon coffee or tea, the Eph518 Cocktail Bar brings forth cocktails infused with coffee and tea — perfect if you want to take a breather while trying to get through the day. Stir Me Wide Awake is a concoction that infuses whisky with Pu’er tea and black sesame, while also including coffee beans, rum and chocolate bitters. The Golden Guk Bo is the spirited version of the popular kopitiam Chinese tea. These cocktails will definitely get one pumping out energy that you never knew you had while experiencing a fresh spin on what we know to be “traditional”. If you want to give these a shot, grab a friend to try their 1-for-1 offer on the 15th of June in the spirit of summer.

Get some caffeine fix at d’Good Café, 273 Holland Avenue, 278992, Open 4pm to 11pm daily, up to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays

The Gibson Bar

The Gibson Bar is known for capturing scenic imagery in the form of a drink. Their Always Summer cocktail will definitely transport one to a Hawaiian beach while spicing up the idea of coconut-sipping — served with sake, this coconut gin sorbet will inject the sentiment of vacationing at the beach or a touch of golden sand at your feet that you’ve been dreaming about. If one is praying for just a little time off to recharge, you can get it with “nectar of the Gods” — the Honey PX — made with Trigona bee honey, Nikka Coffey Vodka and lemon, it gives a sweet uplifting with a little sting at the end.

Grab these delicious pick-me-ups at 20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834, Level 2, Open from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 1am and Friday to Saturday from 6pm to 2am.

Intermezzo Bar

Intermezzo Bar introduces twelve new signature craft cocktails — a celebration of tropics and spice. In the 19th century, a cash crop plantation sat on Orchard road, yielding produce such as nutmeg, pineapple and gambier and they draw on this influence to curate a menu with concoctions such as Pandan or Pepper, paying tribute to their botanical and citrus aspects. The Pandan brings a burst of flavours through pandan-infused vodka, citrus cordial and East Imperial Mombasa Ginger Beer to fizz the stress away. However, the Pepper serves up St. George Botanivore and Green Chartreuse that bring out a botanical-based flavour and rubs off as sophisticated yet refreshing.

Have a fix of these cocktails to take off some midday shade at Orchard Hotel, 442 Orchard Road Singapore, 238879, Open 10am to 1am daily

Nutmeg & Clove

The cocktail menu at Nutmeg & Clove brings forth the history of Singapore’s existing summer state, leading guests through time with fruits, flora, fauna, nuts, herbs and spices — all of which point to a refreshing cumulation down a road of sentiment. Instead of simply trying to refresh and quench, Nutmeg & Clove brings in a tasteful depiction of beachwear such as floral prints. The Oh My Jasmine! gives hints of umami from salted jasmine foam that marries well with citrus and smoky notes of the cocktail — this brings the picture of a pale yellow floral printed shirt with a jasmine flower tucked over the ear. A little time for sentiment and reflection could just be what you need to slow down in the time being.

Recall the fun beach-times and plan for more at 10A Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789, open Monday to Thursday 6pm to 1am, Friday to Saturday 6am to 2am

1919 Waterboat House & Rooftop Bar

The scenic river-bay view atop a Singapore heritage building can only mean one thing — an intimate setting for hot summer dates. It only gets better with a specially curated cocktail menu that marries the summer state’s landmarks with the summer season. The Orchard is a vodka-based singnature that bursts with fruitiness — apples and apricots doused in cinnamon and lemon — capturing the tiki feeling at a beach party with a tropical country twist. Not to mention the Merlion Punch that mixes passion fruit, white peach and pineapple, giving a mini mouthful of summer.

Get a cocktail taste of Singapore at #03-01, 3 Fullerton Road, The Waterboathouse, Singapore 049215, open from 5pm to 12am on Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 2am on Friday to Saturday, closed on Sundays