If you’re into cocktails that are crafted with inspiration from the streets of Chinatown, then you’re certainly in for a treat. This latest cocktail bar in Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur is the place to go after working hours or during the weekend to unwind from the day’s stress.
They first opened their doors earlier this year and had an outstanding reception by both locals and tourists. As you enter Jann, be sure to soak in the classic heritage interior especially the circular bar structure that is wrapped around with jade and their signature black and white floor tiles. On top of that, there’s also an alfresco space that overlooks the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur.
All in all, let’s just say that this bar reminded us a little of The Great Gatsby film with a Chinese twist — Crazy Rich Asians, maybe?
When it comes to the name Jaan, a little birdie told us that the bar was named after a family member of one of the owners. Every aspect of the hotel and bar is also known to be dedicated to Jann’s siblings which we find incredibly sweet and thoughtful.
Then there’s their terrific collection of cocktails under the Concoction of Chinatown category. Just like the hotel, each of these cocktails tells its own story. We had the opportunity to try out their signature cocktails and truth be told, this wouldn’t be our last visit.
Dear Jann
The first cocktail we’d recommend you to try is the namesake cocktail — Dear Jann (RM 50). Combined with some Apothecary Rose gin, apricot liqueur, lime and a touch of Dolin Blanc, the potion is all about channelling the balance of sugar, spice and everything nice served in an elegant champagne flute.
Dear Jann is complemented with some preserved mandarin peels that give out an extra punch, balancing it out with a pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt.
Kapitan Yap
Another concoction that certainly surprised our palates is the Kapitan Yap (RM 45). As mentioned earlier, all of the cocktails tell its own story and when it comes to this, it’s about giving tribute to the man who opened up Ya Lai, the port of Kuala Lumpur. Blended with an authentic-flavoured jackfruit into the Jack Daniels whiskey, the concoction is served in a chinoiserie soup bowl. On top of that, egg whites are also added in to give it a much smoother taste.
A sweet fruity note of the jackfruit and honey is what we tasted in the first sip, followed by the mellow aroma of the whiskey. Such a unique cocktail combination, that’s for sure.
Rojak
Our next cocktail was certainly a more unusual white rum pairing. Bacardi Carta Blanca laced with rojak sauce is one terrific sweet and sour tribute to the melting pot of mixed cultures and traditions found in Chinatown. The delightful duo alongside Ambra, pineapple, mango and calamansi is delectably piquant with an acquired taste that we believe would be enjoyed by many. The Rojak (RM 40) was surprisingly pleasant and we were thrilled when we could taste the rojak sauce.
An alternative to this would be the Asam Laksa cocktail.
Pos 1911
Also taking a leap, the Pos 1911 (RM 40) is another one-of-a-kind cocktail which pays homage to the former post office that was housed in a colonial two-storey Tudor styled cottage on Jalan Panggong. A take on the classic tiki drink, the cocktail comes with an origami bird perched on the rim of the glass that praises Pos Malaysia’s original logo that has a bird on it. It also signifies the Jungle Bird cocktail that is infused in the Pos 1911.
Instead of dark rum, Jann uses Cachaca with Campari, pineapple, lime and lychee juice to get that refreshing, fruity notes.
Tau Foo Fah
We also had the chance to try out Jann’s take of the Tau Foo Fah (RM 40) — a popular dessert that can be found in Petaling Street. In terms of taste, there’s not much difference as it includes the original flavour of the bean curd and grass jelly. We could taste a subtle hint of rum however that was pretty much it. Assuming it would taste like the refreshing dessert that we’d enjoy during a sunny day with a kick, this concoction was quite the opposite. Honestly, it wasn’t the greatest as it came sans brown sugar. A spoonful of this and we kind of had enough. They perhaps excluded it so we could taste the rum, unfortunately, it doesn’t really scream Tau Foo Fah for us and this was quite a letdown.
Perhaps if they could tweak it with the addition of the sugar, we’d probably try it again.
Overall, just like how Jann’s enthusiasm is infectious, the cocktails served here are absolutely addictive as well. The sweet touch of historical figures and local cultures makes it worth another round, marking Jann to be one of the top contenders out there for all cocktail aficionados.
Presentation: 5/5 | Taste: 5/5 | Value: 5/5
Hours: 4pm – 12am (Sunday – Thursday), 4pm – 1am (Friday- Saturday)
Address: 2, Jalan Balai Polis, Chinatown 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Pictures by Wei Hoe, Ching Aun Yap, Shermin, Gobble Gazzle, Jesuis Enamourez, King S & TYL