Jakarta Java Kini - Jakarta's City Magazine

Bluegrass Limoncello

The idea

Hot on the heels of Otel Lobby, where we imbibed a rather tasty little number last month, comes Bluegrass, which lies within cocktail-spitting distance of Otel in the Rasuna Epicentrum complex. Before we get stuck into Bluegrass’ offerings though, we’d first like to pause for a moment here to inform our readers that the Epicentrum area and its various bars seem to have reached critical after-dark mass over the past few weeks or so. The semi-alfresco and highly modish Bluegrass in particular is a riot of evening activity these days, especially at weekends and on Wednesdays when a DJ hits the decks. The food is also pretty decent down here and you can check out our review of the Bluegrass menu on the JJK website.

The mixture

Taking a pew in front of Bluegrass’ 24-metre-long, stainless-steel bar, we asked a member of the ebullient bar staff to recommend a signature cocktail. We were encouraged to check out the Bluegrass limoncello, a blend of Bluegrass’ own house-made limoncello, lemon rind, Ketel One Vodka and sugar. Being inveterate lemon heads we accepted the challenge.

Our Tasting Notes

Limoncello is a southern Italian liqueur and is traditionally made from the zest of Femminello St Teresa lemons. Jakarta types may well have been served a shot at a branch of the popular Italian eatery, Trattoria, and taken a shine to this potent but delicious elixir. The Bluegrass version tastes pretty authentic and the citrus flavour stands out strongly over the cocktail’s neutral vodka background. It’s a lemon lover’s heaven and fair play to Bluegrass for having a bash at making its own homebrewed hooch.

Why you should drink it

Quaffing a few of these may well turn out to be, to quote Douglas Adams, “Like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick,” but we’d advise getting stuck in anyway.

When

Wednesday nights are raucously rocking down at Bluegrass these days.

Bluegrass, Jl. Epicentrum Tengah, Kuningan, T: 021 2994 1660

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California Lemonade

The idea Pastis is a supine little bar in Kuningan, just next to the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. Inside, the joint features an informal bistro-style ambiance and also a placid garden area which, while perhaps a trifle hot for a lunch date, makes for a rather romantic spot to decamp to with your beau after dark. One for dreamy couples for sure.

The mixture

Pastis mixes up all of the usual cocktail suspects and some especially good margaritas. The California lemonade was a more unusual name that caught our eye though and we decided to order a couple up with all due haste. Essentially a blend of vodka, triple sec, gin, soda water, grenadine and sour mix, this deceptively sweet looking pink concoction is the perfect tipple for any self-respecting flâneur looking to gently ease him or herself into an evening of pleasure.

Our Tasting Notes

This is essentially a sweet one but a spiky shard of gin also pokes its head above the meniscus just far enough to make its presence felt. Well, one has to take the rough with the smooth in life after all.

Why you should  drink it

A California lemonade a day keeps the doctor away, or so we heard. This is one seriously health-giving elixir. Trust us, we’re doctors.

When

After dark in the Pastis garden is the time and place for this one. Pastis also offers a one-for-one beer deal from midday to midnight on Mondays, US$ 5 cuts of tenderloin on Tuesdays and US$ 3 glasses of wine and jazz on Thursdays. You lucky people never had it so good.

Pastis, Jl. Setiabudi Utara Aston at Kuningan Suites Kuningan, T: 021 526 0285, www.thekuningansuites.com