“You only live twice,” sings Nancy Sinatra, “one life for yourself, and one for your dreams.” One of those lives might as well be spent enjoying the cocktails at Live Twice, the Singapore bar that draws inspiration from the romance of mid-1960s Tokyo and the enduring allure of James Bond.
The bar’s new menu takes its cue from You Only Live Twice, the song written by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse and performed by Nancy Sinatra. It brings together welcome shots, minimalist drinks, original creations and reimagined classics. The recipes are the work of Luca Lulli, principal bartender at Live Twice, and Aki Eguchi, beverage programme director of Jigger & Pony Group.
You Only Live Twice
The bar takes its name from Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel You Only Live Twice, which was loosely adapted into the 1967 James Bond film of the same name. Nancy Sinatra’s title song provides the narrative structure for the new cocktail menu.
The list unfolds across four chapters, each introduced by a lyric from the song. The two central sections reflect the dual identity that has defined Live Twice since it opened in 2019: twists on classics on one side, original signatures on the other. The opening chapter features a shot designed for sharing, while the final section is devoted to more straightforward drinks.
Chapter 1: A Shot to Break the Ice
In the song, Nancy Sinatra describes love as a stranger beckoning someone forward, warning that hesitation might mean losing the opportunity. The menu’s opening chapter takes that sentiment as an invitation to lower one’s guard, share a welcome shot and strike up a conversation.
The drink draws inspiration from the Nikolaschka, a cocktail believed to have originated in Germany. Live Twice’s interpretation, Nikolaschka’s Gun, combines the warm fruit and oak notes of VSOP cognac with the floral and mineral qualities of two premium teas: jasmine and Da Hong Pao.
The cognac is infused with both teas and served alongside a slice of lemon topped with fine-grained Japanese sugar. The lemon contributes acidity, while the sugar provides a gentle sweetness that softens the teas’ tannic astringency. The menu even includes instructions: place the sugared lemon in your mouth, chew twice, then immediately drink the shot.
Chapter 2: One Life for Yourself
The opening lines of You Only Live Twice suggest that we have two lives: one for ourselves and another for our dreams. The first of these introduces the menu’s second chapter, devoted to reinterpreted classics.
Among them are a Mizuwari made with three Japanese whiskies, a bourbon-based Grasshopper and a Rusty Nail reworked with house-made honey liqueur and two Scotch whiskies.
Naturally, there is also a take on the Vesper, appropriately listed as cocktail number 007. Dry, bitter and herbal flavors lead the way, beginning with a citrusy, balsamic navy-strength gin. The addition of vodka softens the gin’s dominance, while an aperitivo introduces a pronounced quinine bitterness. An amaro completes the drink with further dry, herbal notes.
Chapter 3: One Life for Your Dreams
The third chapter features seven original cocktails, including the White Bikini, a drink that balances toasted, umami-rich and tropical flavors. At Live Twice, it combines the soft, fruity character of rum with the citrusy sweetness of pineapple juice, the savory depth of soy, the warmth of toasted rice and a touch of baijiu, the traditional Chinese spirit distilled from fermented grains.
Another creation, the Red Lantern, starts with a corn-forward bourbon, whose richness is softened by the sweetness of fig. Shoyu adds a savory umami dimension, while fino sherry brings a dry, mineral finish.
Then there is the Pear in Bloom, a signature built around two styles of shochu and Kosui pear juice. The combination produces a soft, fresh, fruit-forward profile with subtle umami notes, complemented by the almond and spice flavors of amaretto and the acidity of lime.
Chapter 4: Back to the Essentials
The final chapter takes its inspiration from a seemingly melancholy passage in Sinatra’s song, in which the years drift by and life begins to feel uneventful.
Within the song’s narrative, however, that sense of resignation is only temporary. Life remains ordinary until a dream appears, and that dream is love. Love, in turn, becomes the stranger who beckons, bringing the story full circle to the lyric that opens the menu.
This last section contains just two cocktails. As Luca Lulli explains, they are straightforward but carefully considered, intended for guests who want to unwind after exploring the more elaborate creations. The Gin Tea Tonic builds on the familiar Gin and Tonic, adding the delicate sweetness of sencha tea, the fruity character of mango tincture and the earthy, umami notes of matcha. The Lemon Sour, meanwhile, combines sweet potato shochu, with its aromas of banana and lychee, sparkling coconut water and fresh lemon.
A Taste of the Meiji Era
The cocktail menu is accompanied by a food selection inspired by yōshoku, the Japanese tradition of Western-influenced cooking that emerged during the Meiji era.
The offering includes sharing plates and a selection of house sandwiches, which have long been favorites among Live Twice’s regulars.
Photos courtesy of Live Twice
