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By Frankie Chee, The Straits Times, 2 May 2008 ***** COME the last weekend in September and there will be some super-fast cars lining up on the grid for the inaugural Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix. But some bars here have got off to a flying start with F1-inspired drinks. Sporting names such as Lights Of Fury and Grand Prix 75, or adopting novel ways of serving and downing these drinks, they are engineered to put you in the fast lane. Orchard Hotel's director of marketing communications Amy Ang says: 'Since the race is going to be held in the night and over the weekend, we're sure that the party will not end so early, at least not till the wee hours of the morning.' Most of the drinks - such as the F1 Classic that is available at all IndoChine outlets, the Seven Wonders at the Orchard Hotel and The Pan Pacific Hotel's Lights Of Fury, Turbo Shots, Rev-It-Up and Red Mist in The Atrium - are original concoctions. The Peranakan Place in Orchard Road, on the other hand, has come up with The Drag Race at Acid Bar, where patrons race to finish six shots of tequila, while The Alley Bar's The Flaming Circuit has shots of absinthe arranged like a F1 circuit. InterContinental Hotel will serve its F1 cocktails - the Ferratini and the Silver Surfer - in huge oversized martini glasses, a la the F1 trophies. So whether you're an F1 fanatic who can rattle off the list of winners since the 1960s, or an amateur who can't tell a Ferrari from a Renault, there's bound to be a drink to get you all revved up. Just make sure you leave your car at home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Turbo tipples IT'S never good to mix alcohol and vehicles, but these drinks are inspired by the sexy growling machines of Formula 1. Vroom Vroom Constructor: b:one, basement of Singapore Marriott Hotel On the track: From now till F1 weekend Fuel bill: $16 Technical specifications:A potion that contains vodka, butterscotch schnapps, Midori and pineapple juice; strawberry liqueur is poured into the drink to give it a tinge of Ferrari red The Grand Prix 75 Constructor: Ink Club Bar and Prego Italian restaurant at Fairmont Singapore On the track: From Sept 1 to 30 Fuel bill: $22++ Technical specifications: Made with Absolut Raspberry vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, muddled raspberries and Moet & Chandon Brut Champagne, this is one speedy drink that will race to the head Fullerton Hairpin and Monte Carlo Hairpin Constructor: Post Bar at Fullerton Hotel On the track: Throughout the year Fuel bill: $19++ each Technical specifications: The Fullerton Hairpin is a tangy vodka-based concoction with Midori, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, cranberry juice and a dash of grenadine; while the Monte Carlo Hairpin - named after the infamous almost-180 degree trademark bend in Monaco - is a mix of vodka, Blue Curacao and peach and grapefruit flavours The F1 Classic Constructor: All IndoChine outlets On the track: From this month onwards Fuel bill: $18 Technical specifications: A refreshing mix of Gordon's Dry Gin, Smirnoff Red vodka, Havana Club rum and Red Bull Silver that will warm up the engines of both drivers and fans alike Ferratini and The Silver Surfer Constructor: The Lounge and Victoria Bar at InterContinental Hotel On the track: From Sept 1 to Oct 31 Fuel bill: $88 per glass - both drinks are served in an oversized martini glass that can serve four people Technical specifications: Paying tribute to its namesake, the red-coloured Ferratini is a mix of Absolut Kurant vodka, Peter Heering cherry liqueur, cranberry juice and a dash of grenadine syrup; while the silvery look in The Silver Surfer comes from a mix of Blue Curacao and grenadine syrup, along with Absolut Citron vodka, lime juice and sugar syrup The Seven Wonders Constructor: Available at all F&B outlets in Orchard Hotel On the track: From Sept 1 to 30 Fuel bill: This selection of cocktails is priced according to significant dates in F1, starting from $19.50 - the year that F1 started - to $20.08, the year of the first night race Technical specifications: The colours of the drinks are inspired by those of F1 cars, and some have dramatic effects such as dry ice to replicate the smoke of burning tires. The drinks, which contain ingredients such as vodka, Kahlua and Red Bull, are mostly masculine in taste Lights Of Fury, Turbo Shots, Rev-It-Up and Red Mist Constructor: The Atrium at Pan Pacific On the track: From Sept 1 to 30 Fuel bill: From $22 Technical specifications: Lights Of Fury is a spirit-based flamed beverage that has tequila, brandy and rum served with milk, and comes in shades of green, blue and gold. Turbo Shot contains grenadine syrup, Midori, Baileys and vodka served with dry ice - giving it a smoky effect. Race queens are not forgotten as the Red Mist, served in a huge martini glass, is a sweet mix of peach syrup, guava and orange juices, strawberry syrup and soda water The Drag Race Constructor: Acid Bar at Peranakan Place On the track: During the F1 week Fuel bill: $40 for six shots Technical specifications: The race is on - with two rows of tequila shots. Contestants compete to see who finishes a row of six shots first The Flaming Circuit Constructor: Alley Bar at Peranakan Place On the track: During the F1 week Fuel bill: $50 per circuit of three shooters, and $90 per circuit of six shooters Technical specifications: Three to six flaming absinthe shooters are lined up in a circle emulating a race track, and participants take turns to finish them using straws Formula World Constructor: St James Power Station On the track: From August to the F1 weekend Fuel bill: Around $16 Technical specifications:A rum-based cocktail that contains cranberry juice and blueberry syrup Refilling cocktail and Sepang mocktail Constructor: All F&B outlets within Swissotel The Stamford and Equinox Complex On the track: From March, with drinks changing monthly till September Fuel bill: $18++ for Refilling and $12++ for Sepang Technical specifications: Refilling contains Absolut Blue vodka, sweet Peach Archers, Bols Banana, Malibu Liqueur and a splash of zesty orange juice; The Sepang mocktail is a non-alcoholic chocolate shake made with cocoa-espresso ice cream
