Where to find limited edition cocktails and guest mixologists from all over the world
Summer is hitting us early this year and the best cure for the early heatwave is an ice-cold drink. Luckily enough, our city has become a magnet for talented guest mixologists from around the world, while our favourite locales are bringing out new tipples to tackle the heat throughout the season.
Monkey 47 Gin Cocktails at InterContinental HK
What: Arijit Bose, former head bartender at Singapore’s celebrated 28 Hong Kong Street—7th on the World’s 50 Best Bars list—is staging at the lobby lounge at the InterContinental Hong Kong for one-night only, shaking and stirring cocktails with Monkey 47 gin. Guests can indulge in a cocktail package featuring all four gin cocktails with canapes to match with each of the featured tipples. The exclusive cocktail and canape cocktail package is priced at HK$425 per person, and each cocktail is available at HK$165 per order. While Bose is only around for one evening, the Monkey 47 gin cocktails he creates will continue to be available until August 31, 2017.
When: 6:00pm – 11:00pm on June 23, 2017
Where: Lobby Lounge, G/F InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2721 1211
Artisanal Cocktails at Kwoon
What: Victoria Chow’s Kwoon has just opened on Staunton Street, where a creative, locally-inspired lineup of cocktails are available both on tap as well as in the form of cans for take-away option. Guests can expect infusions such as black ginger in the Madam Ching and chrysanthemum flowers in the High Tea, as well as a collection of the concept bar’s signature bar bites
When: Available now
Where: Kwoon by The Woods, G/F, 64 Staunton Street, Central; www.kwoonbythewoods.com
Stockton x Hendrick’s Secret Gin Garden
What: Stockton is collaborating with Hendrick’s Gin to present ‘The Secret Gin Garden’ collaboration, where the secret bar is transformed into a floral hideaway on the Wyndham Street strip. Guests can expect a selection of gin cocktails specifically designed for the promotion, together with a change in interior design filled with a draping spread of flowers and foliage throughout the space. Creative cocktails aside, the celebrated bar is also hosting gin masterclasses, cocktail making masterclasses and jazz sessions during the two week promotion.
When: May 29 to June 10, 2017
Where: Stockton, 32 Wyndham Street, Central; +852 2565 5268
Rum Barber at The Mandarin Oriental
What: As part of an early summer celebration, the Mandarin Barber is launching a special rum appreciation promotion at the hotel’s signature barber shop in collaboration with menswear emporium The Armoury. Guests arriving the mens’ grooming mecca can enjoy not only styling services and partake in a little shopping, but also a tasting flight of rare rums from the Caribbean, with notable varieties such as Havana Club Anejop Especial, El Dorado 12 Year Old, and Plantation XO Barbados. Rum-lovers can also select the signature Old Cubanos, a unique creation by resident beverage manager Agung Prabowo. The rum appreciation promotion will run nightly for three months.
When: Available now until end of July 2017
Where: Mandarin Barber, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central; +852 2825 4088
NYC’s Dead Rabbit Hong Kong Pop-Up
What: Celebrated as the world’s best bar, New York City’s The Dead Rabbit is heading to Hong Kong to stage at Blue Bar of the Four Seasons. The three-day cocktail showcase will feature mixologists from the popular speakeasy, who will present the signatures that helped them win the world’s best bar title for two consecutive years.
When: May 24-26, 2017
Where: Blue Bar, G/F, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 3196 8888
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Hour
What: Celebrate summer with French bubbles as champagne brand Veuve Clicquot continues its ‘Yellow Hours’ promotion, where a list of the city’s 25 best restaurants present a specific dish themed around ‘fries’, presented throughout the three-month champagne pairing promotion. Guests enjoy these special dishes with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne throughout the promotional period. Notable varieties of ‘fries’ dishes include french fries with jalapeno mayonnaise from Beefbar, truffle soufflé potatoes from Catalunya, and sweet potato fries and harissa mayonnaise from Koko.
When: May 1 to July 30, 2017
Where: 25 restaurants across town, including:
Beefbar, 1/F Club Lucitano, 16 Ice House Street, Central; +852 2110 8853
Catalunya, G/F Guardian House, G/F, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai; +852 2866 7900
Koko, 5/F 77 Wyndham Street, Central; +852 2109 7777
Diageo World Class Cocktail Pop-Up
What: Diageo World Class is setting up its first pop-up cocktail bar at Taikoo Place this summer, transforming the business district into a haven for creative cocktails. The four-day promotion will also set the arena for a list of cocktail events, including the 2017 World Class Hong Kong and Macau cocktail competition event where six bartenders in the region vie for a spot at the World Class Global final in Mexico City. Mr and Mrs Fox will kick off the event with ‘American Classics’ where the restaurant will offer Texas barbecued brisket sliders with cocktails made with Bulleit bourbon. The four days of cocktail fun also invite Brickhouse, Vea, and Angel’s Share in creating tipples specially designed for the event.
When: June 12-15, 2017
Where: Mr and Mrs Fox, 23 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay; +852 2697 8500
Still Thirsty?
We have more summer drinking tips for you:
· New York City legends Employees Only will be opening its doors this June in a prominent location in Lan Kwai Fong.
· LA chef Esdras Ochoa is launching 11 Westside this July in Kennedy Town. The 4,000 sq ft venue will feature a hidden bar in the back, Wilshire at 11 Westside, where the drinks programme has been commandeered by Daniel Eun—formerly of PDT New York and currently at The Normandie Club in LA.
· While currently delayed, The Embassy pop-up at Quinary (originally scheduled for May15-17) will be rescheduled imminently—follow us for the latest updates on Facebook
· Love wine? Riesling Weeks returning this June, while wine critic James Suckling has revealed his top picks for 2014 Bordeaux