New cocktail menus to try in HK this summer

Lobster Bar and Grill

Being named one of ‘Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ from 2016 to 2020, Lobster Bar and Grill is keen on bringing a new cocktail experience to customers. Bar manager Bob Louison has delved through the history books to create a unique cocktail menu, entitled ‘The Archivist’, which unveils an adventurous journey through centuries of cocktail renaissance. The menu comes in two chapters. The first chapter presented to us now covers six past important eras, spanning from 17th century – the “Age of Punch” period when English sailors found new ways to replace their expired wines and beers – all the way to 1940s – the period where the 13-year prohibition was just over. The latter half, starting from that point onwards to contemporary times, is going to be showcased in the next chapter releasing this autumn.

Inspired by classic cocktails from bygone eras, the team of cocktailians has given each of the drinks a modern twist and a non-alcoholic alternative to reinterpret classics from around the world and throughout history, creating a collection of twelve unique and intriguing cocktails and six mocktails.

Address: 6/F, Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong SAR

Doubleshot by Cupping Room

Riding on the success as a coffee specialist in town, Doubleshot by Cupping Room is extending their expertise to mixology. The new series of tipple introduces both signature staples of café-inspired cocktails and seven featured cocktails flaunt distinctive flavors, crafted by Chanel Adams, previously a founding member of PDT Hong Kong at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

Staying true to its coffee roots, some of the bar’s signature cocktails draw inspiration from coffee flavours and brewing techniques, such as aeropress and siphon. Its take on the classic Espresso Martini, named Spent Martini, elevates the earthy tones of single origin coffee, intensifying its smooth and nutty flavours. To promotes anti-waste and sustainable cocktails, the coffee liquor is made from coffee grounds from their morning coffee service, while the sweetener is made from unsold almond croissants.

With Asian influences, the featured cocktails are sure to please the local crowd. Jungle Fever is a refreshing option during the Hong Kong summer, the delicately piped passion fruit foam brings out the tangy and sweet tropical flavors immaculately; From Thailand to Haiti is garnished with a pipette filled with spicy goodness, using Clairin Communal Rum, the latest rum discovery from Haiti as the base.

Address: 1/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Soho, Central

The Wise King

Since opening its doors in July 2018, The Wise King has become one of the town’s favourite speakeasy bars and it debuted at rank #18 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019.

In the new summer menu, the bar highlights a brand new signature Negroni called Mandarino Negroni, which includes local distilled N.I.P Gin, Mancino Vermouth Secco, Mandarinetto Isolabella and Rinomato Americano Bianco.

Every quarter, it is the bar’s tradition to create a new signature Negroni, which tends to sell out almost every night. This time, they have gone with a locally distilled gin as it combines traditional botanicals with local aromas, taking the Negroni to a more unique level.

Another tweak of the season is Olla De Barros Dos, a new version to the bar’s signature Olla De Barros. The concoction is aged in a Mancino Vermouth clay pots to impart an earthy flavour and texture, giving a mellow effect to the cocktail.

Address: Basement, 25 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central

Red Sugar

Red Sugar, one of Hong Kong’s popular garden rooftop bars, has launched its new cocktail menu called “Our Little Time” showcasing a collection of characterful concoctions harking back to the post-war era of Hong Kong.

Drawing inspiration from the eight most significant industries from the 60s to the 80s, the eleven new cocktails present key elements from these industries, as well as an ode to classic cocktails and the root culture of Hong Kong: A Golden Age, a reinterpreted Bee’s Knees, is a comforting family dish of Red Sea bream with tomato sauce that represents the fishery and agriculture root of Hong Kong.

This cocktail is crafted with Sichuan green pepper infused gin, lychee liqueur, tomato water, lemon juice, Honey and topped with strips of dried squid, a popular local snack; eau de red sugar is an elegant cocktail resembling the fragrance of Two Girls Perfume, Hong Kong’s first local cosmetic perfume brand. The key aromas of rose, orange and lemon in the perfume are interpreted with with gin and green Chartreuse liqueur.

Address: Level 7, Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Henry

The American steakhouse in Rosewood Hong Kong offers a dedicated cocktail bar inside the restaurant that comfortably seats 12 guests, as well as a terrace that overlooks the bustling street view.

The drinks menu boasts an impressive selection of American beers, Bourbon and rye whiskey, as well as gin, rum and agave varieties. The array of innovative new cocktails takes inspiration from the rich and varied heritage of the US gulf states, while partnering with the kitchen to showcase local, organic, and heirloom produce stripped down to its rawest state.

The cocktail list houses a collection of creative signature mixes such as Dallas, a play on the classic Old Fashioned using fat rendered from the beef to give a oiliness and meaty aromas in the drink, offset with the sweetness of maple syrup and topped with a light beef jerky floss.

The bar’s twist on a classic Margarita, El Paso focuses on spicy notes from the Jalapeno and palate-refreshing bitterness of the blistered Padron. Mezcal & Cacao Negroni is designed as a smoky post-dinner digestif, with aromas of cacao liqueur and chocolate bitters intended to complement desserts.

Address: 5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

309

Scottish whisky brand Talisker has partnered with Hong Kong local speakeasy bar Room 309 to a hold “Made by The Sea” themed pop up from 22 June to 18 July. The brand delivers the pop-up bar experience in Hong Kong by transforming Room 309 into the shores of Isle of Skye. The immersive experience is completed with two new Talisker cocktails made with Talisker 10 and 18 Year-Old Whisky, created by the bar’s internationally-acclaimed Antonio Lai and Bar Supervisor Garrick Wong.

“Wild Sea Voyage”, concocted with Talisker 18 Year Old whisky, homemade nori mix and aromatic bitters, is a peaty and powerful cocktail comes with a hint of sweetness, reminding people of the rugged, windswept, yet dramatically beautiful landscapes of Isle of Skye.

Meanwhile, “A World Away” showcases the close proximity to the shore by skillfully infusing dried seafood to Talisker 10 Year-Old whisky, and mixing with other ingredients such as guava juice, homemade lime cordial and ginger honey.

Address: 3/F The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Origin Bar

Another thematic pop-up experience you can’t miss is Tanqueray’s sensational tropical jungle gin bar staged in Origin Bar.

Highlights include three refreshing cocktails all made with Tanqueray Malacca: Basil Instinct is a straight-forward and unpretentious cocktail with a scented basil fragrance on the nose; Charles’ Harvest summons tropical fruits, like mango, pomelo and lemon, jasmine tea cordial and pumpkin, which are shaken into one delicious tipple; Melaka Bazaar, mixed with Tanqueray Malacca gin, Tabasco, bitter gourd, honey and pear, representing the harmony in diversity among the many indigenous ethnic groups that have lived together and influenced each other for generations in Malacca.

Address: G/F, 48 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong