There's something about a cocktail. Whether it's the instagrammability of how they're presented or the vigour of hipster-looking bartenders using Boston shakers like jackhammers to make them -- whatever it is, they're rather easy to love.
But sometimes they don't quite make you feel like you're getting your money's worth. What if we told you there were drinks out there that would make you put a stop to all this nonsense. A drink that would perhaps, set you up for the night?
We've taken the situation under control dear readers; we've scoured the city for some really knock-out tipple that you won't want to miss the next time you're out.
Now, let's get tiddly.
SMALL BATCH
Served in a coupe glass, it may look small in quantity but this rum-based concoction packs a powerful punch. The richness of Zacapa 23; the smokiness of the Ardbeg and the charred rosemary garnish; the sweetness and subtle aroma of the truffle honey. It has been described as "sunshine mixed with a little hurricane" and aptly so, as although the first few sips may take you back to a holiday on a tropical island, the rum will creep up on you before you know it.
Find it at: CHAR (Hotel Indigo Wireless Road, http://www.charbangkok.com).
Side note: To all the rum fans who enjoy pairing their beverage with a cigar -- the bar also stocks nine different premium brands.
THAI TEA G&T
This concoction will win you over faster than you can say "I'm not a fan of gin". The creators of this drink utilised the abundance of ingredients found in the neighbourhood of Chinatown, Yaowarat, to create this house infused blend that includes Thai tea, rose tea, chrysanthemum, cinnamon, Chinese herbs, lemon, mint and tonic water. Refreshing, well-balanced with strong notes of citrus and an uplifting fragrance from the orange peel rubbed around the sauternes wine glass, this is one thirst-quencher that'll have you thinking twice about ordering an ordinary g&t elsewhere.
Find it at: Teens of Thailand (76 Soi Nana, Rammaitri, http://fb.com/teensofthailand).
Side note: If you like your gin straight or on the rocks, ask for Alaska Bristol Bay Gin. Crisp with subtle hints of spices and light-handed on the juniper, it's a one-of-a-kind drink for any gin-enthusiast.
BARREL-AGED LONG ISLAND
We've all made that mistake before: asking for the "strongest" stuff a bar's got on its menu. What we probably didn't know was a Long Island Iced Tea's strength isn't in the actual volume of alcohol but rather attributed to the plain fact that it's a punch bowl filled with the sort of combo that'll make you regret all of last night's decisions. So the bartenders here have deconstructed it while keeping all the main components of gin, vodka, rum, tequila, orange liqueur, adding their own twists like cola-boiled spices and a method of ageing in a white oak cask that gives it a rounded vanilla aroma. Easy to drink and refreshing on a warm night -- now that's a Long Island we've never tried before.
Find it at: Backstage Cocktail Bar (PlayHaus Thonglor, Sukhumvit Soi 55, http://fb.com/backstagecocktailbarbkk).
Side note: Talk to the bartenders about your cocktail preferences and they'll be able to design you a custom drink. Go there often enough and they may just name a drink after you.
HOT ROD
It's not often that one craves a warm cocktail, especially in the sweltering city of Bangkok. But it would be remiss of us not to let you in on our fantastic find at a dive bar in Ramkhamhaeng. For this spectacle of a drink, a blowtorch is used to heat up the glass while pieces of clove and anise spark into flames as they're thrown in. The combo of whisky, brown sugar, allspice syrup, sunkist orange and cinnamon tastes as soothing as milk does to a baby. Ask the bar to turn up the air con if you have to; this warm, smokey, caramelly beverage will get you feeling snug as a bug after one sip.
Find it at: Bricks & Bone (Ramkhamhaeng 24 Yaek 20, http://fb.com/Bricksandbone).
Side note: Gimmicks aside, drinkers should note that the focus of the bar is on bourbon. Woodford Reserve is predominant on their menu but if you'd rather opt for something else, varieties of gin, rye and single malt are also available.
PLANTER'S PUNCH
Not one to hold back on the strength side of things, this rum-based cocktail packs four shots of alcohol (dark rum and triple sec) without any fruit juices to dilute it. Sour, powerful and refreshing with some delightful notes of vanilla and almonds. As harmless as its appearance may be (like any sort of punch), it's best to line your stomach first with nibbles before slurping this potent concoction.
Find it at: Bunker (Sathon Soi 12, http://fb.com/BUNKERBKK).
Side note: Thumb and Toon are the men behind the bars here and their focus is on giving classic American-style cocktails a fresh and modern twist. We found they were stocking some interesting craft liquors on their shelves, like the Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine for example. Want to know what it tastes like? Order their American Pie and find out.
YADONG SET
Although yadong bears the stigma of tasting like absolute crap and containing strange ingredients that would probably make you hallucinate and give you the sex drive of a rabbit, this bar has reinvented it, making it taste less like a medicinal beverage and more like an enjoyable aperitif. Served in three shots, three types of yadong await you to be knocked back; Seven eleven, Lion king, Pussy whip (sexual connotations intended). Potent they are indeed, but surprisingly smooth (unlike what you'd find in a dodgy street stall) and soothing to drink. What exactly was in them was not revealed but we do know that these house-infused concoctions are matured in oak barrels for around 100 days to get the signature aroma and colour.
Find it at: TEP Bar (69-71 Soi Nana, Mitri Chit Road, http://fb.com/TEPBAR).
Side note: Really can't stand yadong? Try Ya Sa Nae instead. Strong and sweet, it combines Chalong Bay Rum with roselle juice and is served in a star anise-smoked glass. If you've had a long day, this sprightly drink is bound to perk you right up.
JETLAGGED
Here's one that'll keep your eyes wide open all night. Strong on both fronts of alcohol and caffeine, it's a sure bet to curb any symptom of jetlag one might have. Sweetness from coffee liquor and Grand Marnier; a good dose of bourbon and vermouth for depth; it's topped off with cold brew ice cubes, which, when melted, slowly transform the drink into a much darker and stronger tipple. Perfect as a kick-starter for the night, especially if you're the type to swear by the motto "go hard or go home".
Find it at: Evil Man Blues (72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55, http://fb.com/EvilManBlues).
Side note: Although mixologist Liam Baer recently left this establishment, his signature drinks remain on the menu and are as strong as ever thanks to head bartender Peter, who Baer trained himself.
