There is a Chinese astrological concept known as the Four Pillars of Destiny, or bāzì, which states that a person’s destiny can be determined by the characters that were assigned to them on the day they were born. Using details like their year, month, date, and time of birth, there is a particularly important part in the bāzì readings that most would pay attention to: the daymaster elements, which tell you if you’re of the Earth, Water, Wood, Fire, or Metal element. Knowing your elements will empower you with the knowledge of what other elements can help or harm you. For example, if your daymaster element is fire, you would want to avoid water elements in your life and seek wood elements instead.
How is this related to a cocktail menu at Bar Terumi, we hear you ask? We’re getting there.
For years since the opening of Bar Terumi, Shirmy Chan had been dreaming up the perfect menu. It was a prolonged effort of designing and redesigning the journey a customer would take with the menu, the cocktails, and the book itself. With the launch of their latest menu, Chan believes that they’re finally there. Shaped like a journal, we are immediately intrigued by the little wheel on the cover of the menu, showing off the five elements—Earth, Water, Wood, Fire, and Metal—and their respective flavour profiles. The wheel is designed to just show one element at a time, but shift it clockwise or counterclockwise, and you’ll see the complementary element next to it. Of course, anyone can order whatever element’s drinks they like, but Chan says that she has noticed that people tend to unconsciously favour their element’s drinks. To reiterate the fact, Chan also encourages you to find out your bāzì daymaster element (she has a QR code handy) as part of your drinking trivia at Bar Terumi.
Bāzì elements aside, Bar Terumi’s new menu is inventive and extensive, yet maintains the same identity loyal patrons have recognised in them from day one: gentle and tender. Innovation remains a constant with the cocktails here, but it never strays too far from what remains a delicious drink. Below, I pick some of my favourites from each element.
Fire — Ardour
As a girl who loves her classic cocktails, I rarely gravitate towards “fun” drinks—yet Ardour challenges this. The vodka-based drink is tangy and fruity with passionfruit, but the fun part lies in the boba bits, made with cold brew genmaicha. Great as a first drink on a hot day, you’ll need to be careful with how quickly you slurp this down, if you know what I mean.
Earth — Tropical Ripple
Banana is such a prominent flavour in any dish or drink it’s included in, that it may overpower other flavours—hence why it is such a tricky ingredient to use in cocktails. The Tropical Ripple though, is a masterclass in achieving the perfect balance. Despite its spirit forward appearance—and it is a spirit forward drink—it has a refreshing tropical flavour that would usually be found in more Tiki-style or tall drinks. It’s made with a bourbon base; with slight banana nuances after every sip, it finishes fresh with orange, making this a drink with depth.
Metal — By the Fireplace
Christmas may only come once a year, but you can recreate that feeling when you order By The Fireplace—a cocktail that feels like drinking Christmas. Using Suntory Kakubin at its base, this thick drink contains cardamom, orange, and eggnog. We reckon you can already imagine how that tastes like: spiced, comforting, and warm on the inside.
Water — Nutty Oasis
Looking like the namesake of its element, the Nutty Oasis could almost be mistaken for a trendy matcha drink at the newest cafe in town. Alas, this is no matcha drink—it’s even better. Aged white rum and coconut water are combined to create a clear mixture, before it is layered with a dense pistachio foam. Drink it two ways: first with the foam, and later let the two layers combine for a rich, nutty cocktail that has refreshing nuances of coconut.
Wood – Scarlet Flame
I almost never say no to a spicy cocktail. The savoury, tangy heat that one derives from the aftertaste of a chilli-infused drink is quite addictive, and the Scarlet Flame is no different. The base is a powerful concoction of tequila, Mexican chilli liqueur, and dry vermouth; then the flavours are tied together by roselle, lemon, and a herbaceous element of sage. It also comes with a fun garnish of a little candy at the side, making this a sourish sweet cocktail with a spicy kick.
Other than these elemental cocktails within the Signatures category of the menu, Bar Terumi also offers classic cocktails—and its multiple variations—and spirits. Make your way to the bar in Taman Paramount.
Address: 9a, Jln 20/16, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Make a booking here.
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