GIN’S THE TONIC AT MARIGIN

The cosmopolitan spirit of gin with a local touch and some creative twists levels up MariGin beyond its stature as a traditional gin parlour in Kuala Lumpur. MariGin Gin Bar is the latest feather in The Marini’s Group hat — a leading F&B player known for Marini’s on 57, Marble 8 and M Marini Grand Caffè & Terrazza establishments in the city.

According to Cavaliere Modesto Marini, owner and founder of The Marini’s Group, “Gin is usually a staple in any bar but at MariGin, it is the star. It’s a versatile and refreshing spirit that can be drunk straight up, in a simple mix, or added to other flavours in a cocktail. Gin’s diversity and variety ensure it appeals to different palates and provides new experiences. At MariGin, we aim to create a gin drink for every occasion.” 

MariGin is located just a stone's throw away from the iconic Twin Towers. Patrons can sit back and wet their whistle within MariGin’s relaxed atmosphere; a cushy haven of dark marble flooring, low sofa lounges and coffee tables and a rustic bar counter that’s central to the overall hubbub. 

 

The shaded terrace boasts pool and gin pong tables in addition to timber topped tables paired with high bar stools to seat 35 persons. Indoors, MariGin can comfortably accommodate 56 persons but greater privacy can be sought inside two private rooms, which seat 6-8 persons.

 

The dedicated gin menu features 57 varieties of gin: from gin infusions, gin and tonic mixes to bespoke cocktails for every occasion. MariGin’s drinks are priced from RM27++ onwards.

 

We sampled Ginius (RM40++), a Gin concoction of infused kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, lime and galangal with Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic. Subtle floral notes were discernible in Ginny In The Bottle (RM40++), a Gin cocktail infused with chrysanthemum, wolfberries, lemon, chrysanthemum flower and Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic.

 

 

 

More in-gin-ius tipples to pique your interest include Anti Agin (RM45++), a mythical fountain of youth rustled up with The Botanist, basil, chamomile, ginger cordial, lime juice, soda and an edible flower; Ginasium comprising Citadelle Original, Malibu, grapefruit juice, coconut water, spiced syrup and lime juice; and Chi Si Gin (RM45++) — Tanqueray NO.10 with lychee liquor, lychee, lemongrass, lime juice and kaffir lime leaves.

 

Among the array of gin & tonic mixers to uplift Happy Hours are Concubine Gin (RM56++), a captivating concoction of Martin Miller’s, grapefruit, basil and East Imperial Tonic; The Duke of Gin (RM52++) rustled up with Monkey 47, blueberries, grapefruit and Fever Mediterranean Tonic and Padrino (RM56++) — Nikka Coffey Gin with coffee beans and East Imperial Tonic.

For more information and enquiries, call MariGin Gin Bar, tel: 03-2386 6030 or email reservations@marinisgroup.com. Address: One KL, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 5pm to 1am Monday to Saturday, Happy Hours 5pm to 9pm.

NEW ON-THE-SPOT FITGO SMOOTHIE

Meet Malaysia’s first ProYo smoothie vending machine! Thanks to founder, Jess Lin who banked on her experience in health food production, FitGo Smoothie launched the revolutionary Made in Malaysia vending machine that dispenses blend-to-order healthy smoothies at Jaya33, Petaling Jaya recently.

It was the fruit of a two-year local collaboration with engineers and programmers. Lin’s company, Nuvend Sdn Bhd deployed the first Fitgo Smoothie vending machine in March this year at a leading university.

Lin said "FitGo Smoothies aims to promote healthy snacking with its state-of-the-art ProYo (protein + yoghurt) smoothie vending machine aptly called Fitgo Smoothie. The Fitgo Smoothie vending machine is a homegrown success, resulting from more than two years of engineering, R&D and testing efforts. Everything for the FitGo Smoothie vending machine is made locally, from the manufacturing and distribution to the marketing and operations in our factory in Puchong. We are in the process of getting it Halal and MeSTI certified."

Media members invited for the launch had a first-hand experience of how the FitGo Smoothie vending process works. It was simple once customers decide which variant of the smoothies they want from a banner listing the seven types. 

Besides fruit dices, the cups also contained frozen ProYo (soy protein + yoghurt) cubes for additional substance. Fresh supplies are replenished 2-3 days to ensure freshness. The container cups stored inside the machine are kept frozen until dispensed. Once money is paid into the machine, the selected ProYo fruit cup can be retrieved from the dispenser bin. Customers only need to remove the lid and sticker before placing their cup into the blending window.

It only takes a few minutes for the blended process to finish and a light will flash once the smoothie is ready. Lin told us the blender will undergo self-cleaning once the smoothie has been retrieved by customers in readiness for the next order.

Customers can find the six FitGo Smoothie vending machines at Jaya 33, D'Pulze Cyberjaya, Menara KH, Monash University, Etiqa Twins, and Menara Tokio Marine. For more information, visit www.fitgosmoothie.com