Maison Pine: Vodka, Apple, Pineapple and a Little Lemon

Every bar has one drink it would put on the sign. Ours is the Maison Pine. It carries the house name for a reason: it is the first cocktail most people order here, and the one they order again.

What is in it

Vodka, apple, pineapple, lemon. That is the whole list. The vodka is the clean base; apple brings the crispness; pineapple brings the ripeness and a little body; lemon holds the two fruits in line so the drink stays bright rather than sweet.

How it is built

Shaken hard over ice so the pineapple gives a light foam, then strained into a cold glass. It is served straight up, not on the rocks, so the first sip is as cold and as clear as the last. No syrup does the heavy lifting; the fruit does.

What it tastes like

Apple first, sharp and fresh. Then the pineapple, rounder and warmer, with the vodka sitting quietly underneath. The lemon finish makes you want the next sip, which is the whole point of a first cocktail. It is fruit-forward without being a fruit punch.

When to drink it

Early. The Maison Pine is a 6 PM drink, a sunset-on-the-terrace drink, the one you order while the table decides on mezze. Later in the night the bar leans darker: Crimson Oak with whiskey and cranberry, Applewood Sour, or the Almaz Dorada with tequila and passion fruit. See the whole cocktail list.

What to eat with it

Anything from the mezze section. Hummus and warm pita, mixed olives, Greek bruschetta; the acidity in the drink cuts through olive oil and cheese neatly. Duo Marina Ceviche, lime-cured salmon and snapper, is the sharpest match. If you are in the lounge, a Standard shisha with a fresh flavour sits well beside it.

And the price

Signature cocktails are 160K to 170K; check the menu for the current list. The Maison Pine also exists without alcohol in spirit: ask for the Ruby Drift or Sunny Passion among the mocktails if that is the night you are having.