Created with Ajit Gurung, the new bar hones in on savoury and non-alcoholic cocktails
With queues out the door and a plethora of awards to boot, Hong Kong bar scene darling COA and its founder Jay Khan need no introduction. Khan's newly unveiled second concept, however, does: rather than honing in on a single spirit like his temple to mezcal, The Savory Project instead focuses on—as the name suggests—savoury mixed drinks, bolstered by a selection of expertly designed non-alcoholic cocktails, reflecting the change in Khan's lifestyle, as well as that of co-founder Ajit Gurung.
Set to open towards the end of May, The Savory Project will predominantly feature cocktails based on notes of earthy or umami character, with the use of ingredients such as meat, fungi, brine, and more. The idea for the bar came from Khan and Gurung's observation of an increase in customer requests over the years for less sugar or sweetness in their drinks.
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