House of Suntory Celebrates World Martini Day with Luxury and Elegance
Elevating the classic cocktail with Roku Gin and Haku Vodka.
The classic martini is always in style. From the Pink Panther to Mad Men to James Bond’s iconic “shaken-not-stirred” mandate, the drink has been a popular symbol of suave sophistication since its creation in the late 19th century. In celebration of World Martini Day on 17 June, House of Suntory is dedicating the month to the legendary libation and taking it to a whole new level with two of their signature Japanese spirits.
Traditionally made with gin, martinis can also be crafted with vodka, which makes it the perfect beverage to showcase the prestigious Roku Gin and Haku Vodka. House of Suntory’s renowned craft gin is a blend of six traditional Japanese botanicals — Sakura flower, Sakura leaf, Sencha, Gyokuro tea, Sansho pepper and yuzu peel — each harvested during their seasonal peak for the best flavours to instil a complex and multi-layered taste across a range of martini styles.
Haku Vodka, on the other hand, is made from 100% pure Hakumai Japanese rice and filtered through bamboo charcoal, resulting in a clean and brilliant profile with a sweet rice flavour. The smooth finish and lingering sweetness adds to the martini’s elegance, creating an indulgent and glamorous drinking experience.
House of Suntory has partnered with 11 restaurants and bars across Singapore to create unique martini concoctions featuring Roku Gin and Haku Vodka for the entire month of June. Each bar will hero the martini in their own way, from Catfish’s exotic Salmon Saketini to Crossroad’s homage to popular classics like the Espresso Martini. Check out the full line-up of participating venues below, and be sure to thoroughly explore the sleek and sexy cocktail in its myriad variations.
LUMO
Awaken the senses with The Rest of the Senses, as Roku Gin is layered with Dolin Genepi, St Germain elderflower liqueur, Clarin Communal rum and a dash of olive brine. Stronger flavours can be found in Courage, which emboldens Haku Vodka with rye whisky, Lillet Blanc, Benedict DOM and shiso bitters. In the crisp Clarity, Roku Gin is uplifted with Green Chartreuse, Blo Nardini Grappa, Taylor's Velvet Falernum and a few drops of whisky barrel-aged bitters.
TESS BAR & KITCHEN
North Side tickles the tastebuds thanks to its profile of Roku Gin sweetened with Poire pear puree, lime juice and Togarashi salt. Umeshu lovers will enjoy Plum Treasure, which shakes up Haku Vodka with umeshu, cherry blossom cordial and rosé wine. In Lemongrass Gimlet, Roku Gin is fragranced with lemongrass cordial, St Germain elderflower liqueur and lemon juice.
CROSSROADS
In the sweet and sour Lime Drop Martini, Roku Gin is made tart with lime juice and balanced out with caramel syrup. There are also perennial favourites, including the Espresso Martini of Haku Vodka added with coffee liqueur, an espresso shot and vanilla syrup, as well as a Classic Martini of Roku Gin, olive brine and Dry Vermouth.
ANTI:DOTE
Saku plays up the sweetness of Roku Gin with cold-brew Sakura green tea-infused Haku Vodka, while Umami achieves its namesake by pairing Haku Vodka with kombu sake and genmaicha-infused aged plum umeshu before finishing with olive brine. The Japanese reinvention continues In Sohon, as Roku Gin is skilfully prepared with Sweet Vermouth, St George spiced pear brandy, orange bitters and a garnishing of torched rosemary.
LAS PALMAS
Take a trip down Old Hollywood with these cinematic martini renditions. In Ol Blue Eyes, Roku Gin is emboldened with sherry and fragranced with rose syrup, almond extract and lemon juice. Marilyn is a nod to the film legend, layering Haku Vodka with hazelnut, passionfruit, tonka bean and lime juice. Rat Pack captures the brazenness of New York nightlife with Roku Gin, sherry, Bruto Americano, lemon and pearls.
AKIRA BACK
Drawing from a deep well of simple yet potent Japanese cocktail recipes, Meiryo Suru pairs Roku Gin with Nolly Prat-infused sencha and yuzu, while Meiryo-Sa sweetens Haku Vodka with melon, Nolly Prat and soy milk before brightening with a dash of citrus. Finally, Furorarumartini is a sweet and floral dream of Roku Gin, Amaro nonino, elderflower and orange bitters.
CLUB 5
Wasabi-Tini explores Suntory's Japanese roots by lacing Roku Gin with yuzu sake for brightness, wasibi for punch, and jelly for texture. For something richer, Choco Mallows combines chocolate and coconut for creaminess and colours it a mesmerising blue with Pea Flower extracts. Okinawa's Winter Flower dresses Roku Gin in floral freshness with roselle, ginger elderflower and lemongrass for blooming spring flavours.
GINGER LILY
These intriguing cocktails love to play with mystery. The dark and brooding Maybe? features Roku Gin, Bailey's and a shot of espresso, before taking an unexpected turn with strawberry oat and rose buds. The Lady in Blue offers a pleasant surprise with Haku Vodka dressed in lychee and peach juice, Litchi Blue liqueur and Firewater Tincture bitters disguised under a blanket of foam. Finally, Hi! Hello! puts your tastebuds to the test with a concoction of Roku Gin, yuzu beer reduction, foam and sweet cicely.
VUE
Gherkin-Tini pulls out the herbaceousness of Roku Gin with gherkin and capers, while Red Velvet is a floral concoction of Haku Vodka, Velvet Falernum and house-made hibiscus/hawthorn syrup, stirred with edible flowers. By The Baymarries both Roku Gin and Haku Vodka in a fragrant brew with house-made herbal tea and shaken with Dry Vermouth, before topping off with white fungus.
THE HOUSE BAR
Go back to basics with the Roku Dry Martini and Haku Dirty Martini, which pairs the respective spirits with Cocchi Americano vermouth — the former is brightened with lemon juice, while the latter is given extra olive brine for prized saltiness. For something fruity, the Raichi Martini pairs Roku Gin with lychee milk liqueur and lychee juice before deepening the flavours with Campari.
CATFISH
Here, the classic martini is given an exotic oriental spin. Salmon Saketini takes Roku Gin, Junmai sake and Bianco vermouth, and adds fresh salmon and soy wasabi into the mix. Haku Matchatini is a boozy take on matcha green tea with Haku Vodka and Galliano Ristretto sweetened with yoghurt liqueur and shaken with matcha powder. Haru sits well will more conventional palates, with Roku Gin, Haku Vodka and Lillet Blanc brigthened with yuzu juice and lemon peel.
