"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire," Gustav Mahler once mused. It's very apt then that Atlas Bar's new cocktail menu is titled the "Preservation of Fire", inspired as it is by enduring cocktail making techniques that have shaped the world of bartending today. 

The Preservation of Fire menu is organised into four different chapters, each corresponding to a particular technique: carbonation, temperature, washing and infusions. The heavy emphasis on the technicalities in this menu is particularly exciting, and comes at a time when more bar-goers are increasingly fascinated and curious about the science and process that goes behind cocktails.

If you're a fan of champagne, the Jubilee Royale (S$26++) from the "Carbonation" chapter is a berried, spiced and subtly sweet champagne cocktail that also includes some Australian Shiraz Gin (likely Four Pillars) and a bajan rum. There's a gentle but not overwhelming effervescence that makes it a refreshing starter beverage to the evening. 

The Electric Club cocktail (S$26++) hails from the "Washing" section of the menu, which pays tribute to the original 17th century process of making milk punch by adding milk to a cocktail and straining it out to clarify the mixture. To make Electric Club, the team fat washed some rum with hazelnut clarified butter for a richer body, and mixed it with herbal liqueur and sherry. The result is a silky cocktail with nice oak, caramel and dark chocolate notes.

As an extra surprise, the cocktail is garnished with a piece of caramel fudge, made with repurposed clarified butter that had been strained out from the washed rum! 

A personal favourite of mine is that Lombardi's cocktail (S$25++) from the "Temperature" chapter of the menu. It's a sweet, herbaceous and lightly tangy mix of pisco, chili liqueur, capsicum and lime. True to its chapter namesake, heat plays a unique role in this cocktail - on a flavour level, with the infusion of a chili liqueur, and on a temperature level, with the addition of a torched basil vodka soaked mozzarella cubed.

Non-alcoholic cocktails are no afterthought in this menu, so if you're seeking a no-ABV option, you wouldn't be hard pressed. Consider trying the Age of Discovery (S$18++) cocktail under the "Infusions" chapter. This combines raspberry infused non-alcoholic aperitif with vanilla, passionfruit and citrus, creating an aromatic and fruity concoction that was all too easy to down. Another no-ABV option that stands out is the Prohibition Plot (S$18++) from the "Washing" menu, which combines clarified avocado milk with mango, agave and lime. 

The physical menu itself is full of fun easter eggs referencing different iconic brands like Hendrick's, Bombay Sapphire and Michters through the use of vintage-style illustrations - and I'd definitely recommend taking the time to flip through each page and try to spot them all!

One particular page worth noting is Atlas' own Gin & Tonic wheel, designed by Head Bartender and resident Gin Researcher Yana Keller. The flavour wheel provides a guide on how to locate your desired flavour profile, and select the ideal gin and tonic pairing that hits the right spot. 

| Read more: Atlas Bar's Yana Keller breaks down her tips for the perfect gin and tonic pairing!

Rumour has it Atlas' new menu is bound in the same type of leather used to make Hermes notebooks. One probably shouldn't be surprised. It's Atlas Bar after all, and the level of meticulous attention and stylistic flair that goes into the cocktails is more than likely to extend beyond the glass. 

Preservation of Fire is now available to order at Atlas Bar. Atlas Bar is located at the ground floor of 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, 188778, and is open Tuesday to Thursday (12pm - 12am) and Friday to Saturday (12pm - 2am). 

Happy sipping! 

@lotusroot518