Top 10 Hong Kong summer cocktails

Hong Kong’s hot and humid summer is upon us which also means junk season and lazy afternoons spent on terraces. We bring you the best and boozy options to counter this heat for when you happen to be on dry land.

Summer in Hong Kong isn’t quite as welcomed as it in Europe, perhaps, but Hong Kongers learn to love the almost 100% humidity and sudden downpours which leaves hair doing its best Diana Ross impression.

For those of us who aren’t escaping to go back home/the south of France, these new summer cocktails will at least perk up an otherwise hot and sticky day.

Armani/Aqua & Armani/Privé – Lychee Mojito

You can’t go too far wrong with a Mojito and this refresher from head of operations, Vishal Anand combines fresh lychee and lime muddled with mint leaves, topped and stirred with rum.

Best enjoyed on Armani/Privé’s terrace which overlooks the throbbing hub of Central. HK$155.

Armani/Aqua, 2/F, Landmark Chater, 8 Connaught Road, Central; 3583 2828

CÉ LA VI – Storm Cooler

With Hong Kong’s stifling heat comes tempestuous storms and lashings of rain which help lower the above-30C temperatures by a fraction.

The aptly named Storm Cooler from achingly hip Lan Kwai Fong bar, CÉ LA VI is a heady mix of Grey Goose vodka, passion fruit, honey and finished with raw liquorice powder. HK$108.

CÉ LA VI, 25F, California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central; 3700 2300

Gaucho – Daiquiri Floral 

Gaucho is not just for Malbec and mountains of steak. Cool off with its dainty Daiquiri Floral, created by Andrii Osypchuk, bar manager of Gaucho Dubai.

Garnished with a sprig of lavender, the Daiquiri Floral is a mix of Bacardi Carta Blanca, lime juice, lavender syrup, Saint German, fresh blueberries and violet liqueur. HK$98.

Gaucho, 5/F LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road, Central; 2386 8090

Jerry Maguire – Alice the Wonderland

You had me at hello….

Be put off not by the complicated web of spun sugar atop Jerry Magure’s Havana Club creation, Alice the Wonderland which also uses Midori, elderflower syrup, mint leaf and pineapple juice topped with a JM” Mushroom and –  cor blimey – gold leaf.

A newcomer to the Causeway Bay scene, Jerry Maguire combines molecular mixology with fancy and Instagrammable summery desserts. And in this heat, who would want a full-on sit down meal? HK$198 (Show me the money! – okay, I’ll stop).

Jerry Maguire, G/F, 23 Lan Fong Road, Causeway Bay; 2881 5008

Morton’s the Steakhouse – Pink and Tonic

Morton’s the Steakhouse is primely located at the Sheraton Hotel complete with postcard-worthy views to whatsapp casually to your mates and make them jealous.

New for summer is Morton’s’ admittedly somewhat lady-like Pink and Tonic made from lemongrass-infused Tanqueray, topped off with pink grapefruit juice and slices of obligatory lime.

Still, with the brosé revolution still very much in force, we say it’s one for the boys, too. HK$150.

Morton’s the Steakhouse, 4/F, The Sheraton, 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon; 2732 2343

NOM – Grey Fizz Spritz

Anything with the word ‘grey’ in the title doesn’t exactly spell out summer (a hot cup of Earl Grey, anyone?) but NOM’s hearty Grey Fizz Spritz does in fact use Earl Grey-infused Mancino Bianco, muddled with lemon cucumber and East Imperial ginger beer as a soothing remedy against the elements.

For anyone who owns distinctly European hair, Grey Frizz Spritz may be more apt… HK$88.

NOM (Not Only Meatballs), Winly Building, 1-5 Elgin Street, Central; 2540 7988

Pirata – Admiral Tea

One of Hong Kong’s prime vermouth joints, Pirata in Wan Chai is not afraid to tip its hat to gin with its Admiral Tea made by bar manager, Borja Martinez Otero and using Bombay Sapphire, Engish Breakfast tea, orange and cardamom-infused syrup, and fresh grapefruit. HK$90.

Pirata, 29-30/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai; 2887 0270

The Envoy – Down the Rabbit Hole

Created by the brains behind Origin, Quinary, Angel’s Share and tastings wine bar, the Envoy is another fancy cocktail joint, situated in the Pottinger Hotel but with a definite added bonus of an outdoor terrace.

Named after the first governor of Hong Kong, Sir Henry Pottinger, the hotel has a distinctly proper English feel and the Envoy’s Down the Rabbit Hole comes dapperly dressed with an edible white rabbit. HK$128.

The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central; 2169 3311

The Optimist – Aviation

A staple on the Hong Kong gin scene, the Optimist is a haven for those who love a swig of mother’s ruin after work.

Its Aviation uses American gin with Fever Tree tonic, fresh strawberries and blackberries and for those who are let out of work early enough, this and other palate-quenching G&Ts are going for a song (well, HK$48) at The Optimist’s Happy Hour from 3pm-7pm every day. Otherwise, HK$110.

Zuma – Shokolada

Upscale Japanese bar and restaurant, Zuma which is much favoured by the after-work crowd introduces its new Shokolada for summer.

Expertly mixed by bar manager, Arkadiusz Rybak, Shokolada contains fancy-sounding plantation-distilled pandan leaves, white chocolate, pineapple and yuzu. HK$115.

Zuma, 5&6F, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road, Central; 3657 6388