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Singapore has gone from Circuit Breaker to Phase 3 then back to Phase 2 in the span of a year. Even though Covid-19 regulations have changed several times, one thing remains constant – no alcohol served after 10:30 pm in your favourite bars or restaurants. If you haven’t got your favourite booze stocked up at home for nights when you have your best buddies over, now is the best time, since it doesn’t look like the government is going to ease the rules regarding alcohol consumption during the pandemic.

Keep reading to find out the basic essentials and must-have liquors for a well-stocked home bar.

1. The Essential Alcohols

Vodka

Any self-respecting home bar will definitely have a bottle of crowd favourite vodka – the most versatile spirit that bartenders can easily morph seamlessly into almost any cocktail for a kick. Whether you prefer it fuss-free with some orange juice and call it a day or infuse it with vermouth and serve up a classy vodka martini, vodka will make it work.

When it comes to serving vodka, do it as the Russians do – serve it chilled and get popular brands such as Absolut, Grey Goose or Belvedere.

Gin

Most ladies love a good glass of gin and tonic, which means that you will probably need a bottle of good Hendrick’s gin whenever you are entertaining the ladies because how else are you going to make a gin and tonic cocktail?

Whisky

When it comes to whisky, your best bet would be a bottle of good Scotch or Japanese whisky. Serve it up neat or with a splash of water to open up the spirit, best for entertaining more sophisticated drinkers or simply for a quiet night alone at home.

Rum

If you are organising a celebration, you can never go wrong with some rum in your belly. Rum cocktails remind people of the beach, the sun and everything beachy, making it perfect for a casual poolside party on a hot Saturday afternoon. Stock up on your favourite rum and make that pina colada for your guests!

Tequila

Making margaritas by the jug? You’ll need plenty of tequila in your home bar then! Most tequila cocktails are citrusy and refreshing, best suited for the warm weather in Singapore or for a refreshing drink after a heavy party meal.

2. Garnish

If you are going to have a home bar fully stocked with the best booze, you can’t be serving your cocktails with no garnish! While garnishes on a $25 cocktail at your favourite bars might look complicated and intimidating to mimic at home, it actually isn’t that difficult to jazz up a glass of cocktail with simple garnishes. For your home bar, you just need a couple of essentials.

Olives

Never underestimate what a few olives can do to complement your drink. Simply line three together with a toothpick and serve it up on the rim of your glass of martini, or serve it dipped in the drink. 

Fruit Peels

Fruit peels are probably the most versatile and useful garnish for your home liquor bar. It works with almost any cocktail that contains fruity elements and can complement as well as beautify a cocktail. Keeping fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges will allow you to add subtle citrus flavours to some of your favourite classic cocktails at any time.

Stock Up Your Home Bar With JARBARLAR

Want to set up your home bar pronto? You will be glad to know that JARBARLAR carries all the alcohol or liquors that you need for your home bar setup and you can simply make your purchase online and get them delivered to your doorstep within Singapore.

Register an account with us and start earning points to convert into vouchers whenever you shop with us to restock your home bar. View our expansive catalogue now.

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.

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.

Red wines and white wines are wine varieties that come in a wide range of colours. Wine lovers in Singapore often debate which is better but it is important to remember that each wine type has its own flavour profile and it is best to try both yourself before deciding which one you like more.

While red and white wines are largely different, they were originally made from one species of  grape called Vitis Vinifera. Vitis Vinifera grapes might come in a range of red and white these days, but Ampelographers believe that they might have been black grapes originally, with natural mutation creating the first white grapes.

Read on to find out more about the differences between red and white wines now.

Different Production Processes

Other than colour differences, red and white wines also differ in production processes. The key differences lie in the fermentation process, in which red wines are fermented with grape skins and seeds while white wines are not. This is also the process that gives red wines their signature colour – from the skins and the seeds of the grapes.

However, there are also special cases where white wines are fermented without having the grape skins and seeds removed. Wines made with this method are commonly referred to as Orange Wines and they share a taste resemblance with red wines and have tannin. Similarly, Blanc de Noirs, a red wine which is made with the white wine method has an appearance that looks like white wine. Other red wines that look like white wines include the White Pinot Noir or Pinot D’alsace.

Their Taste Differs

Both red wines and white wines have their own unique taste, but both types of wines each have their own spectrum of differing tastes. For example, some white wines are very sweet, and others dry while red wines tend to be on the bitter side, with a puckering taste. White wines also have a lighter, fruitier flavour than red wines, which tend to be bolder with more complexities.

The main reason why red wines are more bitter is due to the tannins present within the wine, which is enabled by the fermentation process that keeps the grape skins and seeds on. Without the grape skins, there will be little to no tannins in the wine, causing it to be sweeter and lighter like white wines.

Enjoying Red and White Wine

With its differences in taste and flavour, it is only natural that red and white wines have different ways of consumption in order to reap the most out of each bottle.

Since red wines contain tannins, it is recommended to allow red wines to “breathe” by decanting them before serving. Decanting would aerate the wine and increase its natural aromas and soften the taste of tannins that can cause harshness for younger wines. While white wines can benefit from five to ten minutes of “breathing”, one should serve immediately after as decanting white wine for too long can cause it to lose its vibrancy and freshness.

When it comes to storage, the common belief that red wine must be served at room temperature while white wine should always be served chilled is not entirely true as some whites can develop aromas when warmed slightly.

Get Your Red and White Wines at JARBARLAR Now

Looking to get a nice bottle of wine or two to pair with a steak and pasta dinner over the weekend? Simply place your orders online on JARBARLAR and we will have your wines delivered to your doorstep. Spend above $50 to be eligible for free delivery within Singapore.

Browse our full range of wines online now!

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.