Casa Noble and Rustan's Couture Cocktails at Long Bar

The best tequila and an impressive line-up of new cocktails. It's great to be back at Long Bar...

Long Bar introduces a new line of cocktails with Casa Noble and Rustan's, twelve distinct and refreshing cocktails guaranteed to make you stay and linger at Long Bar. Nothing like the old world elegance of Long Bar and a smooth cocktail...now with twelve new reasons to visit Long Bar.

The new cocktails complement the already impressive line-up at Long Bar, one of my favorite bars in the metro. Elegant yet casual, and the best seat is right up at the bar. Order your usual, or try something new, just leave everything to Rian and Jenny, and they'll whip up your cocktail in no time.  

Part of the unique experience at Long Bar is the unlimited bowl of peanuts served with your cocktail. And to complete your experience, just toss the empty shells on the elegant tiled floor at Long Bar, a truly liberating experience (for more on Long Bar, see my previous posts on the signature Singapore Sling, the iconic Long Bar classic, here at  http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2013/01/singapore-slings-gold-flakes-and.html, the cool cocktail selections here at  http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2013/06/another-round-at-raffles-makatis-long.html, and a power lunch here at  http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-long-short-of-it-power-lunch-at.html).

Long Bar's Rian and Jenny immediately get to work, preparing the first set of cocktails. The finest selection of spirits go into each handcrafted cocktail at Long Bar, finished with the freshest ingredients.

The iconic Singapore Sling (L) and the Makati Luxury Sling (R), must-try cocktails on your first visit. In fact, it's almost mandatory for that authentic Long Bar experience. The refreshing tall drink brings you back to the elegance of colonial Singapore, with its distinct tropical notes from the fresh pineapples blended with premium gin and cherry brandy. The Makati Luxury Sling is a unique local creation, an homage to the original, with Tanqueray Ten, Grand Marnier, and benedictine topped by gold flakes. If it's your first time at Long Bar, don't skip the Sling. A true classic that can only be experienced at Long Bar.

Ryan and Jenny then prepare the next batch of cocktails, with Casa Noble Tequila, one of Mexico's oldest tequila distilleries. A noted distillery that grows its own blue agave, with over 3,000 acres of blue agave fields, Casa Noble controls each phase of the production process, from cultivating and harvesting the blue agave to the meticulous aging process to produce their line of 100% blue agave ultra premium tequila. Long Bar's new Casa Noble cocktails include the naughty Dirty Ramon, a savory and refreshing blend with Casa Noble crystal, muddled red pepper and tarragon, sugar, lemon, yellow Chartreuse, aperol and topped with ginger ale; the Loco Cilantro, with Casa Noble Crystal, honey, calamansi, muddled pineapple, and cilantro on the rocks; and the Verde Mente, a unique concoction with ampalaya (yup, ampalaya), with Casa Noble Crystal, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, ampalaya, and cloves. The clean and fresh flavors of Casa Noble Crystal, a "silver" or "blanco" unaged tequila, punches through in each cocktail, with that bite lingering after every sip. And there's more...

The Bandera, the iconic tri-colors of the Mexican flag in shooters, with one shot of Casa Noble Crystal, one shot Sangrita, and one shot of fresh lime juice. This one's a great starter to get you in the groove on your Casa Noble experience. Start with the mildly sweet Sangrita, followed by the clean and sharp notes of Casa Noble Crystal, and finished by the refreshingly tart lime juice. Perfect.

The Casa Noble Tequila Negroni, a cool twist on the classic Negroni, with Casa Noble Crystal, spiced vermouth, aperol, and flamed orange twist, and the Black Magic Woman, an Old-Fashioned with tequila, with Casa Noble Anejo, a smooth aged tequila, agave syrup, Angostura and orange bitters, garnished with a flamed orange twist, round out the new cocktails by Casa Noble at Long Bar. I have a bias toward the Old-Fashioned, a personal favorite, and the tequila blend gives it a refreshing kick. All Casa Noble cocktails are priced at P 495++ each, purchase any three Casa Noble cocktails and you get a Chef's Appetizer of the day for free. And every Thursday evening, 5pm onwards, ladies get one free shot of Casa Noble Reposado. Cool.

Long Bar's creativity and inventiveness is highlighted in yet another line of new cocktails. In a creative collaboration with Rustan's, Long Bar unveiled its newest line of cocktails, Rustan's Couture Cocktails, with each drink inspired by Rustan's brands. The new cocktails include (from top, left to right) the colorful Pink Champagne, inspired by Monique Lhuillier, with Aperol, cherry blossom syrup, cranberry juice, and champagne; the Red Fox, inspired by Thomas Pink, with Bombay Sapphire, tripper pepper mix, tomato juice, and fresh lime; the Oriental Bubby, inspired by Natori, with Belvedere Vodka, lemon, pineapple, ginger, cayenne pepper, and champagne; the Lady Daiquiri, inspired by Lady Rustan, with Don Papa Rum, Grand Marnier, earl grey tea, lemon, and mint; the London Bourbon, inspired by Hackett, with Maker's Mark Bourbon, aperol, Martini Rosso, and panutsa syrup; the Boho Martini, inspired by Patis Pamintuan Tesoro for Rustan's, with Bombay Sapphire, peach schnapps, blue curacao, and calamansi lemonade; and the B&B (foreground), inspired by Faconnable, a simple yet bold blend of premium brandy, benedictine, and pastis. Each one distinct with its own unique flavors, clearly capturing the essence and personality of each brand by Rustan's. Enjoy any of the cool Couture Cocktails for only P 495++ each and get a n exclusive World Wide Wear Passport from Rustan's for discounts on luxury brands by Rustan's as well as room and dining offers at Raffles and Fairmont Makati. Available only for a limited time, catch it while you can at Long Bar.

Enjoy your cocktails with Long Bar's bar chow, like the Asian Ceviche "Kinilaw" (P 480) , a chilled bowl of fresh seafood with dalandan and calamansi...

...the comforting Baked Chicken Wings (P 300), prepared in the Singaporean black pepper style, simply seasoned with salt and pepper for classic flavors...

...and the Calamari Moros y Christianos (P 330), black & white battered squid, and crunchy Pork Rinds (P 225) with tamarind and chili rub, still my favorite. Long Bar offers an extensive menu to pair with your cocktail, including premium burgers and artisan pizzas, and you'll definitely find a favorite.

And I just can't leave Long Bar without one my favorite cocktails, Long Bar's Panutsa Old-Fashioned. Always works. And it's great to be back at Long Bar...

Long Bar is located at the lobby level of Raffles Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati or call 555-9777 for inquiries and reservations.

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