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*this article first appeared on INSIDEHOOK September 2025 : link
To celebrate the incredible drinking cultures of Asia, we dove deep into eight different countries to get to know a little more about what’s in their glasses and how it got there in the first place.
There’s no denying the outsized influence that tiny Singapore has had on the world’s drinking scene. With an area of around 280 square miles, it’s the 21st smallest country in the world. Yet, the city-state, celebrating its 60th birthday this year, has long been considered one of the finest drinking destinations on the planet, especially for cocktail lovers.
As imperfect as such measures may be, Singapore counts four of its bars among the World’s 50 Best in the current ranking, and 11 among Asia’s top 100. Since the inaugural Asia’s 50 Best Bars list debuted in 2016, three Singaporean entrants — 28 HongKong Street, Manhattan and Jigger & Pony — have won the crown a combined four times. In four of the other years, a Singapore bar was runner-up. This is a dynastic, Patrick Mahomes-type of run.
In the cocktail sphere, few cities or countries have been able to capture such magic or maintain such a high level for so long. Thank, perhaps, a youthful chip on its shoulder but also Singapore’s creative energy, willingness to go big and bold, and its dynamic, multicultural roots.Whether visiting one of those modern hot spots, paying homage to an icon like Long Bar at Raffles Hotel to nab a Singapore Sling or starting your day with some kopi, you’re always drinking well in Singapore.
Iconic Beverages That Define the Culture
Kopi and Teh
What locals do seek out on a daily basis is their cup of kopi, the word for coffee in Hokkien. “It’s an inherently Singaporean drink,” says Christina Rasmussen, co-owner of FURA. It’s a rich coffee made from robusta beans, roasted with margarine and sugar and brewed through a cloth sock filter. Kopi has a distinctive taste, can be customized in myriad ways like serving it with condensed milk, and is a deeply-ingrained ritual and way of life.
Sugarcane Juice
Singapore’s heat and humidity can be remedied, if briefly, with the helping hand of freshly pressed sugarcane juice. “It’s an everyday fixture, as much a sensory memory as it is a refreshment,” says Bobby Carey, the founder of Studio Ryecroft and formerly of Proof & Company. Grab it a hawker stall to wash down a heaping helping of whatever food you’re craving.
Yearly Events Around Drinking
Chinese New Year
“Chinese New Year is when beer, wine, and yusheng (a salad with raw fish and symbolic, celebratory ingredients) often flow freely with extended family and friends,” says Suhail Jindran, a trusted, long-time Singaporean tour guide. Celebrations are often loud, energetic and lengthy, featuring ritual yam seng toasts. Whiskey and Cognac are both frequent accompaniments.
National Day
Singapore’s National Day is celebrated on August 9th and is another cause for raucous celebration. The patriotic event and public holiday features fireworks, parades and performances, and the fun gets started on the eve of the holiday itself.
Industry Events
Singapore takes pride in its place in the world’s cocktail scene, so when the industry comes to town, it’s another cause for revelry. “On the modern calendar, Singapore has built a reputation as a regional drinks capital,” Carey says.
Drinking Snacks
Start with a classic choice: satay. “Satay skewers are the quintessential pairing: smoky, slightly charred, dipped in peanut sauce and best enjoyed with a cold lager,” Carey says.
Iconic Drinking Establishments
Get ready for a loaded agenda. There’s a lengthy to-do list when it comes to visiting Singapore’s iconic drinking venues, and there’s something for every taste or preference. “Singapore’s essential drinking venues span the full spectrum,” Carey says. “Collectively, these venues show how Singapore honors its heritage while shaping global cocktail culture.”
Long Bar
Just as the Singapore Sling is where any list of iconic drinks must begin, Long Bar at Raffles Hotel is where we must begin as well. It’s an experience and a vibe and someplace you’ll need to visit for a true taste of history.
Carey refers to it as a cathedral, and Villareal says it’s breathtaking. It’s resplendent with art deco grandeur and is a must-visit for its otherworldly gin collection, housed in a showy tower running all the way up to its vaulted ceiling.
5 Rules for Drinking like a Singaporean
1. Moderation and respect: A major part of Singaporean drinking culture is respecting that alcohol usage isn’t universal. “Respect goes a long way,” Jindran says. There’s a large Muslim community in Singapore, along with others who may abstain for any particular reason.
2. Eat with your drinks: Drinking and eating very much go together, on a mandatory basis.
3. Drink your beer with ice: Once you experience a hot day in Singapore, you won’t shun the practice. Beer with ice is common in the country, especially when ordering in hawker centers.
4. Share with friends: Order for your friends as well as yourself, and be sure to get everyone involved. “Always share, whether it’s pouring drinks for the table or ordering food for everyone,” Villareal says. “Drinking here is communal.”
5. Order kopi and teh the right way: Learn and use the local shorthand to master your preferred kopi or teh order. “It’s a rite of passage,” Jindran says.
Kopitiam Martini
By Bobby Carey, Studio Ryecroft
25 ml. HIgh Proof Vodka
25 ml. Mancino Kopi Vermouth
20 ml. Rachelle Teh-O Liqueur
10 ml. condensed milk syrup (1:1 condensed milk to hot water)
Pinch of sea salt
Coffee beans, for garnish
Biscoff cookie, for serving
Shake liquid ingredients hard with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with three coffee beans and serve with a Biscoff cookie.
