From the Blog

Alcohol and food go hand in hand – nothing pairs better with a steak than a nice full-bodied Cabernet. The idea of alcohol as an ingredient in meals, however, is a little riskier. One chief concern we all have lurking at the back of our minds while cooking with alcohol is accidentally starting a fire and panicking for a fire extinguisher to put out the stove. 

Fret not, if Gigi Hadid has shown us anything on TikTok, it’s that cooking with alcohol can be relatively simple and risk-free. Let’s take a look at some fool-proof (and flame-proof) meal recipes.

1. Beer Battered Fish and Chips

A pairing that many would consider the national dish of Great Britain, beer-battered fish and chips can be found on almost any corner of London. Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, or a cheeky supper after a night at the pub, fish and chips are comfort food like no other. Yet what makes this iteration so good? According to experts, the addition of beer into the batter makes it light and airy which gives the fish a nice crunchy texture. Quick to prep and even quicker to cook, this recipe for beer-battered fish and chips promises to go swimmingly.

You will need:

700g x white fish fillet
50g x rice flour
115g x plain/all-purpose flour
1.¼  teaspoon x baking powder
¼  teaspoon x salt
250ml x lager/wheat beer (anything beer that isn’t dark like stout or porter)
4-5 cups x peanut oil

Serves 4 portions

Directions:

Begin by patting the fish dry with paper towels and slicing them into 7cm x 3cm pieces. Heat the oil in a large pot to 190 degrees celsius before seasoning the fish with salt. Mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt and beer into a slurry. Dust the fish in rice flour and dip into the batter, frying for 3 minutes per piece. Flip and ensure every piece is cooked evenly until deep golden. Drain on paper towels and serve with your condiments of choice (tartar sauce, chilli, or a vinaigrette) 

2. Tiramisu

3. Gigi Hadid’s Vodka Cream Pasta

We can’t mention Gigi Hadid’s TikTok video without providing a recipe, and boy is it good. Red sauce vodka pasta has a delightful dryness to it, which brings out the acidity of the tomatoes. Follow this simple recipe if you don’t believe us!

You will need:

250g x pasta
¼ cup x olive oil
1 clove x garlic
¼ cup x shallots
¼ cup x tomato paste
1 tablespoon x vodka (clear, not flavoured)
½ cup x heavy cream
1 teaspoon x chilli flakes
Salt and pepper
¼ cup x parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon x butter

Serves 2 portions.

Directions:

Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water, draining and saving ¼ cup of pasta water when noodles are al dente. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and cook a small clove of garlic and the shallots till soft. Add the tomato paste and simmer the sauce till darker and caramelised. Pour the vodka into the sauce and cook till it almost evaporates, finish the sauce by adding your heavy cream and chilli flakes to your preferred tastes. Taste and season with salt and pepper before tossing in the cooked pasta, pasta water, and butter. Stir well to melt the butter and garnish with parmesan cheese before plating.

Looking for the perfect wine for your meal, or simply just need that additional bottle of alcohol to complete your recipe? Shop online at Jarbarlar now, and browse our wide catalogue of liquors, wines, beers, and spirits for every occasion. Spend $50 and get your booze delivered to your doorstep for free within Singapore.

Singapore’s announcement of the Vaccinated Travel Lane in conjunction with European countries has excited many. For the first time in almost two years, the hope of a holiday overseas isn’t just a pipedream anymore. Getaways to exotic destinations like France and Italy are now an actual possibility, and we can’t think of a better way to kick off a holiday than with a wine-tasting.

1. How to Dress for a Wine Tasting

Anyone that has ever gotten a spill of wine on their clothes knows how painstakingly difficult it is to wash out. Our first tip is to dress in dark colours in case of spills, which will inevitably happen considering you’re in for a night of inadvertent inebriation. Decide on the tone of your outfit by sussing out the venue(s) in advance, to make sure that you’re neither overdressed nor underdressed. A jacket makes all the difference indoors versus outdoors.

If you’re on a wine tasting tour, consider comfortable shoes because chances are it’ll involve a lot of walking amongst vineyards and distilleries. For wine tasting acolytes who take themselves seriously, consider carrying a small bag or purse to keep a notebook for taking notes on tastings. This also doubles up by allowing you to have a place to store phone and water while touring the beautiful sights.

2. Eat Beforehand

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is not only bad for your digestive health, but it’ll most likely knock you out early. Of course, if we were having just the odd glass or two, that would probably be acceptable. However, most tastings run anywhere from eight to ten different glasses of wine, which implies that drinking without any food will cause you to get prematurely drunk and put an end to your night.

Most wine tastings offer food in between drinks to avoid this very unceremonious welcome, which you should not feel shy to take full advantage of. In fact, many wine tasting tours design food menus to be paired with specific wines on offer to enhance its flavour and the overall wine tasting experience. Apart from food, it is also key to stay hydrated even if you aren’t travelling from point to point tasting wines. Alcohol is a diuretic and dehydrates the body, so if you want to avoid a wicked hangover the next day it’s best to keep your non-alcoholic fluids topped up.

3. Technique

You might have seen videos of fancy sommeliers swirling the wine around the glass and sniffing it to determine if it’s any good. I promise you that isn’t just to appear snobby. There is indeed a technique to tasting wine and these key points should help you avoid looking like an amateur.

First off, the best way to hold a glass of wine is by the stem and not the bowl. Holding it via the bowl leaves greasy fingerprints and potentially affects the temperature of the wine, hurting the entire drinking experience. Next, before tasting the wine, it is important to take a deep breath of the aroma within the glass. Experts refer to this as the nose, and how a wine smells greatly affects your palette as the wine enters your mouth. It is also at this step that the wine glass should be swirled, to allow the wine’s aromas to attach to the oxygen and give it a stronger nose. Lastly, as you sip the wine, swirl it in your mouth and ensure it touches all surfaces. Different parts of your mouth have different endings which pick up a wide spectrum of flavours and textures. Follow these steps to a tee and you should appear to know what you’re doing with minimal effort.

On a parting note, it is also crucial that wines are consumed in a specific order. White wines and wines with higher acidity should be tasted first before moving on to the heavier bodied reds. The logic behind this is simple – heavy-bodied reds often leave a strong aftertaste and cloud the palette from fully appreciating the more subtle white wines.

Still worried about appearing silly at your next wine tasting? Choose from our wide selection of wines from across the world today. Paired with tasting notes to let you know exactly what to expect, Jarbarlar’s online liquor store is the perfect place to begin your wine tasting journey.

Everyone loves a drink once in a while, it could be a glass of wine at the end of a long workday or an ice-cold beer while basking in the sun – nothing beats unwinding with friends over a bottle of your favourite alcohol. Yet at the back of our minds, there resonates a tiny pang of guilt when we do indulge ourselves. As libations often do, they loosen us up and in the process, we end up consuming a significant amount of calories while having drinks with friends.

The end result forces us into a situation we’re all too comfortable with – work out intensely at the gym to burn off the excess weight, or restrict your diet and deny yourself of anything possibly Epicurean. There is, however, the third option – by being prudent and drinking consciously, we can still enjoy our booze without putting too much on our waist.

1. Kombucha

You might have heard of kombucha in passing, but what is it exactly? Kombucha is the fermented product of yeast, sugar, and black tea (although other tea varieties may be used). Finding mainstream popularity in the past decade, this so-called super drink is claimed to help boost your immune system, speed up your metabolism, and help you lose weight. Doesn’t that sound perfect?

At this point, it’s natural to wonder what a fermented tea is doing in an article about healthier alcohol options. Well, surprise! As a byproduct of the fermentation process, most kombuchas sport a 0.5% to 2% ABV. Although that might not get you sloshed, it will definitely provide a buzz for all you lightweights out there. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to regular ol’ beer, we suggest picking up a kombucha with a higher ABV (known affectionately as hard kombucha). Unlike beer, hard kombucha sports a lower-calorie count and less sugar while still packing the same punch in terms of alcohol by volume.

2. Light Beer

If kombucha isn’t your cup of tea and you still want to stick to beer as your alcohol of choice, you could also consider swapping to light beer. Retaining the same malty and hop-laden flavours but with significantly fewer calories, light beer is a godsend for the weight conscious. Found in pale lager varieties, light beer achieves its low caloric count from reduced alcohol content and carbohydrates.

The mere mention of light beer might get you some turned noses from beer traditionalists or brewmasters, but the current industry standard for light beer has advanced to the point where taste is never compromised. If you had to do a blind taste test between two beers of the same brand, regular and light – the difference would be negligible. If you won’t take our word for it, get a bottle of Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager and see if you notice any difference.

 3. Red Wine

We can’t talk about healthier ways to enjoy alcohol without talking about red wine. A product of crushed and fermented grapes, humankind has been drinking wine since time immemorial. Apart from the complementary nature of wine with food, research has also shown that a glass of red wine daily has some serious health benefits. Loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols, moderate consumption of red wine is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

The operative word here being “moderate”, of course. Researchers recommend no more than a glass of wine a day, and we suggest quality over quantity. Consider this fantastic Pinot Noir from JARBARLAR, a full-bodied and complex red wine that is widely popular among Singaporeans.

All that said, guilt should be the least of your worries now if you’re consciously swapping to healthier options for alcohol. Stave off the weight gain and enjoy a drink with friends, order online at JARBARLAR now and check out our wide range of spirits, beer, and wine to get your alcohol delivered to your doorstep now.

Diversification is a term commonly thrown around by financial experts – in the past it referred to expanding your financial portfolio with different forms of commodities and equities. Stocks, bonds, ETFs, the list goes on. 

Yet the newer generation of investors, that grew up during the 2008 Lehman Brother Housing Crisis, have found new ways of investing. As distrust of corporations grew, tangible commodities such as art, limited collaboration shoes, and even watches, started to become massive stores of potential value.

Whatever the item, it’s undeniable that collectability is the defining factor for investing in these objects. Much like wine in the past, whisky has also joined the ranks of sought-after collectible status. As recent as August 2020, a bottle of 55-year old Yamazaki set the new auction record for the most expensive Japanese whisky sold in history. Liquid gold, indeed.

Possible High Returns

If you’re like us, and you don’t have the better half of a million dollars lying around in pocket change, there are other ways to begin a journey towards investing in whisky. Begin by investing in distilleries that allow you to own and house a cask of whisky on-site for as long as you want to age it. Over time as the spirit proofs, your cask is assessed and revalued based on its  regauged litres per alcohol (RGA), age, and distillery reputation. On average, annual profits from whisky cask investments have ranged between 10% to 30%, depending on the investment distillery of choice. 

Before you get out your cheque books, there are caveats one must consider before investing in a distillery. First off, casks of whisky are inherently more valuable the older they are. Prospective investors must be prepared for a 12 to 18 year investment. Along the same lines, as whisky ages in a barrel it also evaporates. Known as the angel’s share, this process is inevitable and results in the average Alcohol by Volume (ABV) in a cask to decline. Investors must be sure to avoid letting their cask ABV fall below 40%, which is one of the legal requirements for a spirit to be termed whisky-worthy. Finally, a good rule of thumb would be to begin investing in younger casks from reputable distilleries with a higher ABV, to give yourself some breathing room as your cask ages.

Investing in Rare Whisky is Pandemic-Proof

Even in a pandemic-laden economy, it appears that buying rare whisky as a form of investment seems fool-proof. Despite tighter pockets, spending on rare whisky has not dwindled a single bit. In fact, statistics say otherwise.  By the numbers, The Wealth Report found that the value of rare whisky has compounded faster than cars, art, and wine, hitting an astounding 564% growth over the past decade. 

The advent of online marketplaces and virtual auction houses have contributed significantly to this surge of demand for rare whisky. Experts, available around the clock, work tirelessly to pair available offerings with that of the respective investors’ risk palette. Further pushing up prices is the fact that not all whisky collectors purchase bottles for financial gain. Bottles of rare whisky are consumed more often than imagined, which leads to a dwindling pool of supply and limited availability. 

The Demand for Rare Whisky Continues to Surge

Outside of advancements in technology growing the interest in whisky, increasing global wealth and demand in the Far East has led to prices of rare whisky skyrocketing to unseen heights. Commonly seen as a premium product from the West, rare whisky has long been associated with sophistication and class. 

Enjoyed by the children of the nouveau riche in China, who spare no expense for entertainment, whisky has become a cornerstone of their lavish and grand lifestyles. 

These High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) under the age of 30 consistently fuel the ever growing market for rare whisky in China, where it stands as the third most popular alcoholic beverage across the nation. This swell in the rare whisky market does not appear to be going away anytime soon either. Aside from being a functional store of value, rare whisky possesses a certain grandeur and makes a social statement. It’s no wonder why collectors pour out cash for liters of this amber gold.

Buying gifts is a tricky affair. Much like gifting alcohol, you will have to know the likes, dislikes and taste preferences of the recipient. On top of that, you will need to consider the price range and whether the alcohol is appropriate for the occasion. However, when alcohol gifting is done right, you can expect to leave a good impression on the recipient and come off as a courteous guest or gift-giver with remarkable taste.

Read on to find out the right alcohol to bring along when you are attending your next dinner party.

1. Housewarmings

As Singaporeans, we typically don’t get many housewarming invitations a year, since moving to a new home is not a regular occurrence here in Singapore. But it won’t hurt to be prepared for when your closest friends finally get the keys to their long-awaited Build-To-Order (BTO) flat.

When getting a bottle of alcohol for a party, bear in mind that you should be gifting to the hosts, not buying drinks for the guests and that your gift will most likely be consumed during the party – which means that you shouldn’t be getting anything too special to be emptied within an hour. Wines and beers are perfect for these scenarios.

A case of craft beer or local favourites such as Heineken or Guinness would be suitable for a housewarming since you can never have too many beers at a party. As for wines, you can opt for non-vintage sparkling wines such as Cava, Prosecco and sweeter options such as Moscato and Rose. Simply pack the bottle in a simple gift bag and you are good to go.

2. Dinner With the Boss

When it comes to getting an appropriate bottle of alcohol for your boss, the rule of thumb is to be as generous as you can afford to. After all, this is going to affect your boss’ impression of you, you wouldn’t want to come off as cheap or insincere, do you? If your superior is hosting a dinner, chances are that he or she is celebrating an important professional milestone, or planned the meal as a gesture of appreciation towards your team.

A bottle of expensive fortified wine such as the Talisker Port Ruighe, Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 2 or Balvenie 21 Year Madeira Cask would be great in this case, since they last longer and will give your boss more opportunities to enjoy and remember your thoughtful gift.

If your boss happens to be a whisky fan, gifting a bottle of premium Japanese whiskey such as the Hibiki Harmony or Yamazaki 12 Years would be a great idea as well. If you are lucky, your boss might just be impressed enough to extend another invitation to enjoy the drink together in future.

3. Celebrating Weddings and Anniversary

Weddings are one of the biggest celebrations in life and there will be no shortage of alcohol at a wedding party or dinner, thanks to the open bar. However, if the bride and groom are your close friends and you would like to give them a gift on top of the customary red packet, a bottle of quality champagne like the Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs for the celebratory occasion will be apt.

However, if you are attending a vow renewal ceremony in lieu of an anniversary party, vintage sparkling wines such as the Taittinger Prelude Grand Cru would make a great gift. Plus points if you are able to find a wine that matches the date or year of the anniversary!

Get Perfect Bottled Gifts at JARBARLAR

Decided on the perfect gift already? Make your alcohol order on JARBARLAR’s online alcohol store and get them delivered for free within Singapore with a minimum spend of $50.

If you can’t seem to decide on the ideal bottle of wine or spirit, why not give the gift of choice to your lucky recipients? Here at JARBARLAR, we have online gift vouchers redeemable for any alcohol of your recipient’s choice. Denominations are available in $10, $25, $50, $100 and $200.

Visit our website to find out more today.

Cider – the crisp, complex, alcoholic beverage made from pressed apples that originated in Britain, but what is cider exactly?

Cider is basically fermented apple juice fermented by fruit-borne yeast or added yeast. There are sparkling and still variations, but it mostly depends on what type of apples are being used and the production process. Ciders commonly found in Singapore are typically low in alcohol content with about 3-4% ABV, but most ciders are about 6-8% ABV, with some French variations going up to above 10% ABV.

Most American ciders are produced with Winesaps and Golden Russets, which are also commercially sold for consumption as a fruit. However, apples used to make ciders should traditionally be extremely tart and tannic, with high levels of acid and sugar, making them unsuitable for eating.

Types of Ciders

Heritage Ciders

Heritage ciders, or otherwise known as traditional ciders, are made from cider-specific bittersweet/bittersharp apples, with wild or crab apples added for acidity. These apples yield ciders that are higher in acidity, bitterness and complex aromas. Heritage ciders in the market include Strongbow Gold and Magners Original Irish Cider.                                      

Flavour: Complex with dryness and bitterness

Appearance: Yellow or amber, clear to hazy variants

Modern Ciders

Modern ciders are made with table apples such as Mcintosh, Golden Russets or Gala. They are usually low in tannins and higher in acidity but taste incredibly refreshing. Popular modern ciders include Singapore favourite Somersby Apple Cider and Growers HoneyCrisp Apple Flavoured.                                              

Flavour: refreshing with strong apple character

Appearance: Pale to yellow, clear to hazy variants

Fruit Ciders

Fruit ciders are apple-based ciders that have other fruits or fruit juices added before or after fermentation. With the addition of fruits other than apples, the cider’s flavour changes according to the added fruits. Fruit ciders typically include cherry, cranberry, blueberry and peach on top of apples.                                                         

Flavour: additional aroma and flavour from added fruits

Colour: varies according to fruits added

Wood-Aged Ciders

Wood/barrel-aged ciders are apple-based ciders that have a wood or barrel-aged character as part of their overall flavour profile. Its flavour intensity is mostly based on the proportion of wood and cider used. 

Flavour: notable cider character along with wood/barrel character

Appearance: clear to brilliant

Cider Around The World

Most of the cider we consume are produced in England, France and Spain, the three leading producers of the world’s ciders. 

English ciders taste just like modern ciders because, well, they are modern ciders. However, its traditional farmhouse cider,  Scrumpy, is drier, more complex and comes still or sparkling.

French cidre, on the other hand, produces the world’s most elegant ciders – sweet, tannic and naturally sparkling, thanks to the unique process of keeving.

Spain’s sidra is probably the most interesting of the bunch. Made with high-acid apples, the ciders are fermented in oak barrels at warmer temperatures to produce a “funky” and sour cider that resembles beer.

Get Somersby Apple Cider From JARBARLAR

Thinking of knocking back a couple of cold ciders with your friends this weekend? Why not get your supply of Somersby Apple Cider online at JARBARLAR instead of lugging back a heavy case of 24 cans back from the supermarket.

Simply make your purchase online, and JARBARLAR will deliver your alcohol to your doorstep the next day. Spend a minimum of $50 to be eligible for free delivery within Singapore. Don’t forget to register as a member and earn points for your purchase! Points can be used to redeem cash vouchers that can be used for your next purchase.

Visit our website to take a look at our full collection of alcohol.

Thinking of getting into the wine game? Well, one of the first things to do would be to learn how to choose a good bottle of wine. What constitutes a good bottle of wine, you ask? 

Good wines are a balance of the terroir (the French term for describing the combination of environmental effects upon the grape), the grape and the hand of the winemaker. While it is easy to say that any good year produces a good wine, that is simply not true. A good winemaker learns to coax the best out of any grape, regardless of whether the vineyard has suffered through a long wet harvest, or even a short hot one. Experience can help dictate how a winemaker reacts to the grapes he has been given, and can help produce ethereal products out of poorer years. 

While the best advice that can be given is to try every bottle and see what you enjoy, we have also endeavoured to provide a short, handy guide to help provide a launching point for your new interest in wine. Santé!

Look Out For Typicity, or Typicité

One thing that many people look for in wine is typicity, or typicité, in its original French. Typicity refers to the wine representing where and what it has come from. For example, drinking a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, with its ripe fruit, lush aroma and tight tannins, should be telling of its hot days and cool nights spent in the valley, coupled with the winemakers’ hand of French Barrels to tamper and provide a spicy, chocolate-y backdrop upon which to shin. 

As winemaking progresses, winemakers have also stretched their repertoire to try different techniques or expressions. In recent years, there has been a recent rise in the number of orange wines experimented from places other than Italy, leaving white grapes on their skins, to produce something unique, more complex and full-bodied. This explosion of new and experimental wines has provided an exciting avenue of exploration that often leads to the exception to the rule, providing an exciting adventure in every bottle that cannot always be captured only by academic preparation.

Get Familiar with Varietals

Knowledge of good wine is often laid upon a foundation of the grapes typical of a region, its climate, and the winemaking techniques, and this undoubtedly still holds true.    

If you are just dipping your toes in the world of wine and aren’t too sure about the wine selection process, a good way to spot a good bottle would be to get yourself familiarised with your favourite types of grapes, or “varietals”. Since there are more than 10,000 types of grapes out there, go with the more popular ones first to figure out what suits your taste buds best! As a brief guide, go with best-sellers like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir to lesser known ones like Rkatsiteli and Petit Syrah.

Go With Widely Popular Wines

If you are in a rush and don’t have time to go looking for a nice bottle of wine to impress your boss at the upcoming team dinner, just go with everyone’s favourites!

Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Sauvignon is probably one of the most popular choices for wine lovers everywhere, judging by its yearly sales numbers. Within a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, you can expect to find flavours of darker fruits such as cranberries and black cherry, with noticeable tannins. Its lingering finish is a plus point for red wine lovers, and it is also a great option when pairing with meaty or grilled meals.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is an excellent choice in which you and your friends can anticipate elements of earth, cherry, cranberry and rose within a bottle. It is a lighter and more delicate choice among other red wines and usually comes with nice acidity and minimal tannins (smoother texture), perfect for pairing with salmon or pasta dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc

When enjoying a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, expect to be greeted with grassy, grapefruit or green bell pepper flavours. However, the Sauvignon Blanc is a light white wine that can also offer flavours that include mint, melon and kiwi. Both a sweet and dry wine, it is an interesting choice with a lot of character to offer.

Serving Your Wine

Now that you have chosen a great bottle of wine, the next step would be to serve it properly. You wouldn’t want to waste a good bottle, would you? Seasoned wine drinkers will agree that decanting can form an essential part of the process by helping to aerate young wines, opening up tight tannings, or even, by letting older wines breathe. This has the added advantage on older wines of ensuring that sediment at the bottom of the bottle does not get poured out with the last sip.

If you are planning to make post-dinner drinks a weekly habit, why not invest in a handy decanter for home use?

Get the Best Wines at JARBARLAR Today

Have your heart set on a bottle of wine? Simply make your order online at JARBARLAR today and enjoy free delivery within Singapore with a minimum spend of $50. Here at JARBARLAR, we have a wide selection of red, white, sparkling wines for you to choose from.

Check out our loyalty programme to enjoy more perks with repeated purchases!

If you are thinking of hosting an intimate party at home this coming weekend since most bars will be closed due to the latest pandemic regulations, it’s high time you learn how to make those highly-raved bar favourites in your own home! However, when it comes to hosting a gathering, the last time you want is to be behind the bar all night, mixing drinks for your guests. So the natural solution is to make your drinks in bigger batches, so all there is left to do would be to refill.

Read on to find out how you can easily mix up big batches of tasty, boozy cocktails in no time to keep your thirsty friends satisfied and at the same time, have enough free time to mingle and catch up with them!

Pomegranate Kombucha Punch

This thirst-quenching and fruity recipe is one for the hot summer heat, best for a fun afternoon by the pool!

You will need (this recipe yields 4 servings):

• 235ml rum
• 120ml pomegranate juice
• 120ml pineapple juice
• 60ml orange juice
• 235ml pomegranate kombucha
• Pomegranate arils and pineapples for garnish                        

Directions:

Simply pour everything except the garnishes into a punch bowl, then mix it all together, fill 4 chilled cocktail glasses with the rum mixture and serve with ice and garnish. For a stronger pomegranate taste, you can top the drink off with additional pomegranate kombucha.

Pear and Rosemary Sangria

Instead of serving a bottle of wine, why not go for a refreshing jug of sangria – light, floral and not to forget, packs a punch!

You will need (this recipe yields 6 servings):

• 2 oranges
• 60g sugar
• A 750ml bottle of dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is perfect)
• 120ml of St Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1 pear
• 240ml club soda or seltzer
• 1 Rosemary sprig 

Directions:

First, use a peeler to remove the zest from one of the oranges, then cut in half before squeezing the juice into a large pitcher. Slice the second orange thinly and add it into the pitcher as well. For the rosemary syrup, bring the sugar, rosemary sprig, orange zest and 60ml of water to a simmer before straining it to discard solids. Add the syrup, elderflower liqueur and wine into the pitcher along with thinly sliced pear, then stir evenly to combine. Top the jug off with club soda and garnish before serving in individual glasses.

Sidecar

This batch version of a classic cocktail might go down easy but be warned; it packs a serious punch once the taste of citrusy lemons wears off. The best part of this recipe is that you can make batches in advance since it requires an overnight chill in the refrigerator. Once your party shows up, all you have to do is serve your drink in pretty glasses and let the fun begin!                                

You will need (this recipe yields 10 servings):

• 700ml cognac
• 300ml Cointreau
• 300ml fresh lemon juice 

Directions:

Simply mix all ingredients in a large bowl or pitcher, then cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.

Grapefruit Beer Punch

Bored of drinking beers out of cans? Change it up and mix your beers with a little gin and grapefruit juice – you might just find yourself a new favourite boozy drink. 

You will need (this recipe yields 10 servings):

• 950ml gin
• 500ml fresh grapefruit juice
• 2l pale ale                             

Directions:

Pour the gin and grapefruit juice into a punch bowl or pitcher and chill for at least two hours or overnight. Add the beer to individual ice-filled glasses just before serving.

Stock Up on Liquors for Your Cocktails at JARBARLAR

Ready to play bartender at your next dinner soiree? Don’t forget to get the liquors and alcohol you need online at JARBARLAR. Other than paying wholesale prices, you will also be able to get all alcohol delivered to you within Singapore for free with a minimum spend of $50. 

Check out our extensive catalogue online now.

Are you a fan of craft beer or just an avid fan of beer and are looking for locally-brewed beers to enjoy while you watch the National Day parade from home? Well, you’re in luck as we are about to share everything that we know about the local craft beer scene!

You might be wondering – what is the difference between craft beers and regular beers like Heineken and Carlsberg which are widely available in Singapore? The main difference would be that craft beers are usually made only in small quantities as the ingredients are hand-selected and added by craft brewers. Most craft beers are made with malted barley but other non-traditional ingredients may also be added for a more distinctive flavour.

Since the latest pandemic regulations have made visits to the bar less appealing, find out how you can get your fix of locally brewed craft beers delivered to you in Singapore now!

1. That Singapore Beer Project

That Singapore Beer Project is a social beer project that aims to discover the beer preferences of Singaporeans all while translating these insights into tasty craft beers for the locals – beers for Singaporeans, by Singaporeans. Their signature brew, the Kiam Sng Di or Guava Sourplum Gose, is a combination of salty, sour and sweet, a pleasant drink for seasoned and casual drinkers. Other craft beers under their belt include the Tri-Tip (bottled) and Triple Luck (seasonal draft).

Get a taste of That Singapore Beer Project’s beers in the comfort of your own home by ordering from local bars such as Temple Cellars and Good Luck Beerhouse.

2. Pink Blossoms Brewing

What started as one man’s dream to share delicious beers with his community became a full-fledged local brewing business that poured its first pint for the public in 2018. Pink Blossoms Brewing wants to share big and bold flavours that make life beautiful, how poetic. With two tasting rooms in Singapore, one in Ubi and the other in Tampines, Pink Blossoms Brewing has successfully brewed tons of different craft beers since its opening. On top of its many seasonal beers, they have a total of five flagship beers (Lean on Me IPA, Hundred Years milk stout, Don’t Stop Believing IPA, Let It Be IPA and Never Say Goodbye Imperial Stout) available all year round at their tasting rooms, talk about variety!

Get a taste of their unique beers by ordering directly from their brewery.

3. Trouble Brewing

Singapore beers, born and brewed. Trouble Brewing was started up in 2017 with a simple goal – to provide the public with quality fresh beers that taste good and don’t burn a hole in the pocket. With a brewery based in Tuas, the founders experimented unendingly and now have a full range of craft beers, cider and hard seltzers that are cheap and hard to forget once you give them a shot – literally.

Get the full collection of beers via delivery (Middle Child, Stolen Boat, Brick Head, Dodgy Tip, Road Hog and Pips Out) on their website now.

4. RedDot BrewHouse

Yes, we are referring to the maker of the green beer that every bar crawler on Boat Quay knows (and raves) about. While it might not be known to most, the folks behind the Green Monster beer have a whole range of other craft beers that are also worth a try at their bar. The RedDot BrewHouse has a total of eight other craft beers such as the RedDot Lime Wheat that you can start with.

Since they are only open for takeaways now, order from their e-shop to enjoy their tasty beers at home.

The Singapore craft beer scene continues to grow and stay vibrant despite the pandemic restrictions. Help local breweries stay afloat during this tough time by supporting locals and ordering from them this National Day.

E-commerce has made it much easier for consumers to obtain alcohol since making bulk orders can be as easy as making a few clicks in the comfort of your own home. Unfortunately, the increase in presence of online liquor stores has also made it easier for alcohol counterfeiters to sell fake whiskey and vodka in authentic bottles and hence allowed the circulation of counterfeit alcohol in the market.

Recall the last time you bought a bottle of whiskey online – how sure are you that you didn’t get a counterfeit bottle? Do you know where the drink came from and if you are simply getting the bottle at a steal or are being scammed?

Read on to find out the perils of getting a bottle of counterfeit alcohol and some ways to authenticate your bottle of liquor.

The Dangers of Consuming Fake Liquor

The consequences of consuming fake liquor are far more serious than just not getting your money’s worth of quality or bad-tasting alcohol. Chemicals such as methanol and isopropanol which are commonly found in cleaning fluids, nail polish remover, and automobile screen wash are often used as substitutes for ethanol in counterfeit vodka. Needless to say, these can cause dangerous health consequences such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, kidney failure, liver problems, and even coma when ingested in high volumes.

One might argue that consuming authentic alcohol in large amounts regularly can also cause alcohol poisoning and other major health problems but these consequences are brought upon by abuse of alcoholic products, and not caused by the quality of the alcohol itself. Alcoholic drinks which are produced under the governing regulations ensure that products are safe to be consumed, whereas counterfeit alcohols are often made in illegal or unregulated factories that compromise the safety of consumers. To make matters worse, chemicals such as methanol or ethylene glycol are difficult to differentiate tastewise from ethanol even though the former is significantly more dangerous.

How to Sniff Out The Fakes

Although it might be difficult to authenticate fake and real liquor based on its colour and taste, there are many other methods that consumers can try to protect themselves from the disastrous health consequences that fake liquor can bring.

Counterfeiters typically collect empty alcohol bottles from bars and refill them with bootleg liquor before repacking and relabelling them to sell over the internet. To spot a bottle of fake product, give the product label a check – if there are typos, it is most definitely a counterfeit bottle of alcohol. You can also check the type of glue used to stick the label and the consistency of liquor levels for each bottle – a shoddy job would be a red flag.

For Chivas whiskey bottles specifically, consumers can shine a light into the whiskey bottle to tally the serial number embedded in the interior of the bottle with the serial number printed on the label. A counterfeit bottle will most likely have a different serial number printed on its new label.

Another method major alcohol brands have undertaken to avoid counterfeiters is to develop smart bottles that come with QR codes that consumers can scan to check the production process and serial numbers of each individual bottle. In theory, this would at least prevent counterfeiters from being able to use authentic bottles in their illegal operations.

Get Authentic Alcohol at Wholesale Prices at JARBARLAR

Looking for high-quality liquor that you can drink with peace of mind? JARBARLAR has got you covered. Here at JARBARLAR, we have a wide assortment of authentic spirits, wines and beers at wholesale prices. Free delivery is also available with a minimum spend of $50.

Browse through our catalogue to find out more about our products today.