Top summer cocktails in Hong Kong

As Hong Kong’s scorching and humid summer descends, dbHK rounds up eight refreshing and thirst-quenching summer cocktails for those cooped up in the city’s notorious shoe-box sized apartments.

‘Red Remedy’ 

Led by the award-winning mixologist, Antonio Lai and the “botanical poet,” Kirill Runkov, Hong Kong’s one Michelin-starred VEA Restaurant & Lounge has concocted a range of visually stimulating and intriguing cocktails.

Reflecting a beautiful union of summer fruits with floral undertones, each cocktail boasts a fresh and light flavor tinged with a healthy dose of fizz for complexity. The colorful and endearing ‘Red Remedy’ is a cure for the blues with Bols Genever, tomato cordial, watermelon and pickled cucumber juice, basil and soda water.

Served in an adorable round sphere that resembles a fresh and juicy tomato, this cocktail is a feast for the eye and taste. HK$110.

VEA Restaurant & Lounge, 198 Wellington St, Central

‘I Am Your Father’

This curious looking cocktail presented in Darth Vader helmet cocktail glass is bound to be a draw for hardened Star Wars fans.

Named ‘I Am Your Father’, this cocktail is an extra intense version of the espresso martini with Bacardi 8, espresso and “roasted” syrup, garnished with bacon, toasted sesame and chocolate covered chipotle. HK$120.

VEA Restaurant & Lounge, 198 Wellington St, Central

‘Rhubarb Parfait’

Another highlight from VEA’s summer concoctions is the ‘Rhubarb Parfait’. A creamy dessert deconstructed into a light fizz, the sour cocktail is crafted with re-distilled “creamy” vodka, rhubarb juice, pink peppercorns and bitter almond syrup, topped with a froth of cacao butter air. HK$120.

VEA Restaurant & Lounge, 198 Wellington St, Central

‘Does It Burn’ 

The Envoy inside Hong Kong’s delectable boutique hotel The Pottinger is churning out some exciting cocktails for the summer inspired by the classic literature The Jungle Book. Created under two themes – ‘The Jungle’ series and ‘The Waterfall’ series, bar manager Amanda Wan and her team created a few drinks that provide urbanites a few boozy options for a lush jungle escape. 

For guests who yearn to play with fire, ‘Does It Burn’ as the name aptly suggests sparks interest with Michter’s bourbon, mezcal, Aperol, earl grey, red apple syrup, and Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s Teapot bitters as well as the dramatic finishing touch – bourbon barrel smoke. HK$148.

The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hotel, 74 Queen’s Road, Central

‘Waterfalls’

Headlining ‘The Waterfall’ series is the eponymous ‘Waterfalls’ cocktail, crafted with thyme infused Absolut Elyx vodka, elderflower cordial, homemade thyme syrup and yuzu juice. Topped with soda water and garnished with slices of lemon, this cocktail’s appearance is as cool and refreshing as its taste. HK$128.

The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hotel, 74 Queen’s Road, Central

‘Killer in Florence’

Located in the centre of Hong Kong’s popular Lan Kwai Fong area, CÉ LA VI, a pumping waterhole and nightclub fixture, has doled out a selection of summer cocktails that are enough to lure you to its rooftop bar. In addition, getting tipsy at the bar comes with a good cause. For every limited edition Negroni purchased during the month, HK$10 will be donated to Water For People, a non-profit organisation that brings safe water and sanitation to four million people in developing countries.

‘Killer in Florence’ pays homage to two iconic Italian drinks – coffee and Negroni. The gin-based cocktail is combined with coffee liqueur, chocolate bitters and Campari to create a unique twist with a hard-hitting boost of coffee. HK$118.

CÉ LA VI, 25/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong

‘Dance till Dawn’

Another star on CÉ LA VI’s summer drink menu is ‘Dance till Dawn’, a scintillating cocktail created by award-winning mixologist Rita Tsang. Made with Campari, Dry Vermouth, Chambord and Prosecco, the cocktail is inspired by the much-loved Italian Spritz. Striking a balance of sweet and bitter notes between the raspberry liqueur and Campari, the bubbles add a refreshing tingle on the tongue to perk up summer nights. HK$118.

CÉ LA VI, 25/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong

‘Honkers Sour’

The magic of this violet colour-tinged cocktail is that it leaves you savouring the best of summer while longing for the crisp autumn with its soft violet colour.

Inspired by the ‘Gin Sour’ and ‘Blue Moon’ cocktail, the gin-based ‘Honkers Sour’ cocktail combines juicy lemon with Crème de Violette; with hints of kaffir lime leaves from the homemade syrup, which gives it delicate but exotic characteristics. It is then whisked with egg white and peach bitters for a smooth but fruity finish. HK$128.

CÉ LA VI, 25/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong