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East Imperial’s Kevin Law-Smith reveals a cure-all drink for jetlag

SINGAPORE — Cocktail connoisseurs and fans of gin and tonic would probably be familiar with East Imperial tonic water. But did you know that it’s actually a Singaporean brand?

Kevin Law-Smith’s tonic water is going places these days.

Kevin Law-Smith’s tonic water is going places these days.

SINGAPORE — Cocktail connoisseurs and fans of gin and tonic would probably be familiar with East Imperial tonic water. But did you know that it’s actually a Singaporean brand?

“Singapore is part of our brand story and on our logo we allude to this heritage with the year 1837, when Singapore established the Chamber of Commerce and began to establish itself as a flourishing free port,” explained brand founder Kevin Law-Smith. “People are not that surprised that we are based in Singapore, with such a world-class bar community like Tippling Club and, now, 28 Hong Kong Street in the World’s 50 best bars 2013/2014.”

So successful has the two-year-old year brand been that it launched a second tonic, the East Imperial Burma, last month and will be the tonic of choice of the G&Ts served in the VIP suites during the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix next month.

But for Law-Smith, when you have a G&T is just as important as where you have one. “The G&Ts I remember most are sundowners out on safari in Kenya or on the Mekong in Cambodia — a G&T at sunset can be a magical experience.”

Q: Which cities do you think are particularly great for a night of cocktails?

A: London is one of those cities, with so much tradition, history and heritage with many of the top bartenders and bars in the world at your door step. There is something very special about having a White Lady cocktail created at the Savoy or a martini at the Connaught; and letting the team at the Artesian surprise and delight you with their creativity. Singapore in my pick too: Locally, we have the best talent in the world across our cocktail bars, with the incredible advantage of having so many choices of brands behind the bar, with distributors like Proof & Company and Liberty Spirits bringing in amazing craft distillers. The difference is that many of the bar teams here get the chance and autonomy to make all the choices behind the bar, whereas in many markets, major brands contract the entire bar so consumers do not get (as many) choices. Bars here, such as The Spiffy Dapper, have over 50 different gins and over four types of tonics. Singaporeans are spoilt for choice.

Q: Why do you think there is such an interest in gin worldwide?

A: There is an explosion of choice across the alcohol brand spectrum from beers, bourbons and gins led by resurgence in craft brewing and distilling. Positive regulatory changes allow micro-distilleries to operate from London to Chicago and brands are jumping on this by creating authentic and intriguing gins that spark the interest of consumers with their botanicals or distillery methods.

Q: Since you make your own tonic, what do you drink on the plane or in room service?

A: For room service, I am usually fine as I usually carry a few cases as samples. I usually carry at least 40kg in each bag. But in flight, it is a bit of a struggle. I usually stick to wine.

Q: Bottles of gin aside, what are some of your travel must-haves?

A: A few bottle openers — as an ex-bartender, I can open any bottle with what is at hand but you have a bit more cache having your own branded bottler opener on hand. And Silly Bandz bracelets my daughter has made me.

Q: Lastly, can tonic water cure jet-lag?

A: It might help with the cramps in your legs but won’t cure jet-lag. But our ginger beer will surely wake you up with the spice. Serene Lim

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