Raffles Hotel, Singapore Presents Around the World in 8 Cocktails

The eight cocktails have each been specially crafted to highlight a different stunning Raffles hotel - both present and future. They are Raffles Seychelles, Raffles Cambodia, Raffles Philippines, Raffles France, Raffles United Arab Emirates, Raffles Istanbul, Raffles Indonesia and Raffles China. Each one has been blended using exotic and well-known ingredients, to produce delicious and unusual creations infused with the spirit of the destination - and the style and character of a Raffles hotel.

Raffles Seychelles immediately conjures images of the island paradise of Praslin with emerald seas and deep blue skies. The emerald green cocktail features Smirnoff Vodka blended with refreshing Melon-flavored Midori and tangy Apple Sourz topped off with apple juice. Garnished with slices of star fruit and lemon wedge, this is laid-back luxury in a glass.

Raffles Cambodia celebrates two iconic Colonial hotels – Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. Using the Kingdom's national fruit, the five finger banana, this golden cocktail artfully mixes the flavor of rum, banana and sweet pineapple juice. A final touch of local spices, including zesty kaffir and fresh, green pandan leaves, gives this drink an aromatic and mysterious character – just like the hotels that inspired it.

Raffles Philippines takes you to the heart of the newly opened Raffles Makati. A refreshing mix of Bacardi rum, luscious mango and sweet pineapple enhanced by a suggestion of basil and the tart, citrus flavor of calamansi brilliantly evokes the urban glamour and vibrancy of Manila.

Homage to Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris on the chic Avenue Hoche, Raffles France blends Smirnoff Vodka with the iconic, black raspberry flavor of Chambord. Hints of grape, orange and lemon give this seductive cocktail a fruitful finish and an elegant dash of French je ne sais quoi.

The non-alcoholic Raffles United Arab Emirates in honor of Raffles Dubai is opulently delicious. The sweet, rich flavor of dates is balanced by the fresh flavor of green mint giving this naturally sweet cocktail a fresh, uplifting minty finish.

A preview of things to come, Raffles Istanbul anticipates the opening of Raffles Istanbul Zorlu Centre in late 2013. This is an enigmatic layered cocktail that harnesses the flavors of Turkish coffee. Rich Kahlua is placed side by side with zesty Pisco, fresh lime juice and a lasting, alluring finish of Anise to create the perfect embodiment of the captivating romance of Istanbul.

Raffles Indonesia heralds the opening of Raffles Jakarta in 2014. With warm notes of Bacardi, balanced with buttery coconut cream and complimented by refreshing, tart lime juice, this drink is easy-to-enjoy while offering as much complexity as the exciting city it represents.

Raffles China is a vivid cocktail, paying homage not only to Raffles Beijing Hotel, which has stood as an icon of Beijing's history over the past century; but also to her new sister, Raffles Hainan, opening shortly on Hainan Island, “the Cannes of the East” in the South China Sea. Black Label and Hua Diao Jiu, Chinese rice wine, are boldly offset by zesty calamansi and the rich sweetness of palm sugar.

Raffles China is also a tribute to the famous bartender, Mr. Ngiam Tong Boon, who was born and bred in Hainan – and went on to create the legendary Singapore Sling in 1915, at Raffles Hotel, where it all began.

Happy Travels in a glass with Raffles….

www.raffles.com