Lai teams up with Nikka whisky

Hong Kong’s famed mixologist, Antonio Lai has created four “multisensory” cocktails in collaboration with Japanese whisky distillery Nikka.

Using Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky and Nikka Whisky From the Barrel, Lai’s has also included several local Hong Kong ingredients, including salted duck egg yolk and condensed milk.

Named ‘A Good Harvest’, ‘No Monday Blues’, ‘Amélie the Matchmaker’ and ‘Drive-in Date Night’, the four cocktails are available from now until 7 June in whisky bar, the Angel’s Share and Lai’s new venue, VEA Restaurant and Lounge.

Nikka Whisky was established in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, who studied whisky making in Scotland and brought his expertise back to Japan. Nikka’s first distillery was built in Yoichi, Hokkaido, which resembles the Scottish climate and climactic conditions.

In 2015, Nikka Whisky won the Distiller of the Year award at the International Wine Challenge in London.

Lai started his own bar business in Hong Kong with the opening of Quinary in 2012, Origin in 2013 and The Envoy in 2014 and in November of last year, established VEA with chef, Vicky Cheng. Lai was also crowned the Hong Kong champion in Diageo’s 2015 World Class cocktail competition with his creation, ‘The Sound of Ciroc’.

Click through to discover Lai’s new Nikka cocktails… 

No Monday Blues

A boozy cross between a morning cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin, No Monday Blues is a perky concoction of Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, homemade blueberry syrup, martini rosso and cold brew coffee. It’s available from Angel’s Share and priced at HK$150.

A Good Harvest

Using Nikka Whisky From the Barrel, homemade tonka bean bitters and dark wheat beer liquorice syrup, A Good Harvest is available at Angel’s Share priced at HK$150.   

Amélie the Matchmaker

Harking back to the scene in the film, Amélie when she intentionally spills hot coffee on a coy coworker at the café, tricking her into the restroom to meet her crush and begin their steamy love affair, Amélie the Matchmaker is created with Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, half-and-half, condensed milk mix, quinoa and salted duck egg yolk. It is available in VEA Restaurant and Lounge priced at HK$150.

Drive-in Date Night

Drive-in Date night uses Nikka Whisky from the Barrel, popcorn syrup and pineapple syrup mix as a nod towards American drive-in movie traditions complete with caramel popcorn and frozen sweet treats. It’s available in VEA Restaurant and Lounge priced at HK$150.