The depth and diversity of the Indian subcontinent's cuisine is a hard thing to imagine, let alone understand. So while it frustrates me that it's often reduced to a delicious but entirely non-representative sliver – butter chicken and garlic naan, idli and thosai, or more egregiously, "curry" – I find it hard to offer a viable solution.

Enter Elephant Room.

While it's far from being a complete anthology of a vast and nuanced cuisine, the menu here is an utterly delightful sample of what the subcontinent has to offer. Their website says: "One drink and plate at a time, our ambition is sincere and simple: To take an often under-documented culture and spread it to the world in all of its richness, colour and delight." And boy, do they do a good job of it.

This visit covered:

Their welcome drink:
Gin, berries, and amaro

The New Mango (inspired by the state of Gujarat):
Terai gin, white sesame drop, acid-washed green mangoes, Amul cheese

Sinhala Coffee (inspired by Sinhala):
Ceylon Arrack, coffee mead, kithul, wood apple jam

Negroni (their regional twist on the classic):
Stranger & Sons gin, red wine molasses, house-made chocolate with Indian cacao

Wholly enjoyable drinks and top-notch hospitality served up in a fun, welcoming space (and a food menu I couldn't try but will definitely be back for) – @cocktailmahout and team, you're really onto something special!

(And of course, a shout-out to cocktail comrade @drinksforthisgirl for picking the place!)

I (Shanty) Try Drinks (@ITryDrinks)

Exploring, imbibing, and experimenting. Usually in Singapore, occasionally at bars elsewhere.

IG: @ITryDrinks