Three Cocktail Recipes from Hong Kong's Best Bars

Nov 08, 2023

The season of entertaining is upon us, and we cannot wait to wow our guests with new dishes, gorgeous decor, and, most importantly, fabulous cocktails. Luckily we didn't have to look far for inspiration on the libation front as our hometown overflowing with excellent imbibing establishments. We asked three of Hong Kong's best bars - The Aubrey, Bar Leone, and Salisterra - to share cocktails perfect for home mixology during the holidays. And when we say these best, we aren't just talking about our opinion (though they definitely are top of our list), we curated our picks from award-winning establishments. We have no doubt these coveted recipes are sure to make your next party. Cheers!

The Aubrey

Bee’s Knees

Atop the Mandarin Oriental hotel and operated by Maximal Concepts of Mott 32 fame, The Aubrey is described as an eccentric Japanese izakaya, and that it is. This restaurant and bar is so devoted to tipples it even offers a omakase cocktail experience focusing on Japanese spirits (think whiskies, awamoris, and shochu). Led by celebrated mixologist Devender Sehgal, its no wonder this place was was named #17 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2023 list. For the festive period, they offer an alternative to heavier go-tos such as mulled wine and egg nog - a light and refreshing gin concoction that will surprise and delight your friends and family.

45ml gin
20ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
20ml lavender honey water (a 3:1 ratio, combining 3 parts honey one part water. Add 10g of fresh or dried lavender and keep it over night at room temperature to infuse. Remove lavender.)

Shake & double strain. Serve in a coupe glass.

The Aubrey: Mandarin Oriental, 25th Floor, 5 Connaught Road, Central, +852 2825 4001

The Aubrey

Bar Leone

Coffee Negroni

If you're going to drink a negroni anywhere in Hong Kong, make it Bar Leone. Focused on seasonal ingredients and craft spirits, this spot features a rotating list of three unique house negronis at all times. Opened by master mixologist Lorenzo Antinori, a native of our favorite Roman neighborhood Trastevere, this “cocktail popolari" or classic cocktail venue won #3 on the Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2022 and #28 on the World's 50 Best Bars 2022. Need we say more? You can flawlessly bring a slice of Italy home with this simple yet sensational recipe for a drink that will keep your party going until the wee hours.

30ml Gin 25ml
Sweet Vermouth
25ml Campari infused coffee beans (700g Campari + 10g coffee beans - cold infuse for 3 hours at room temperature)

Mix all the ingredients with ice into a glass jar or any container you have home and strain it into a rock glass. Garnish with a grapefruit zest.

Bar Leone: G/F, 11-15 Bridges Street, Central, Hong Kong, tuttobene@barleonehk.com, closed Mondays.

Bar Leone

Salisterra

Salt Storm

For views that can't be beat, we always head to Salisterra on the 49th floor of The Upper House hotel, which recently won #4 on the World's Best Hotels list 2023. Not only is the ambiance enchanting, the drinks are divine. Reimagined as a margarita, The Upper House’s Mixologist Gail Lanorias pays homage to her childhood with a twist on the classic Salty Lime 7-Up. The unique flavor profile of the preserved lime adds a delightful complexity to the drink and transports you to a cha chaan teng in Hong Kong. According to Gail, the secret to a great margarita is to squeeze the juice as fresh as possible. We'll say salud to that!

1/2 a preserved lime
50ml blanco tequila
25ml lime juice
15ml pineapple juice
15ml sugar syrup (1 part sugar to 1 part water)

Muddle the preserved lime in a shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake vigorously with ice for 12 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass or into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge. P.S. Homemade preserved limes last up to 6 months, and will enliven your cooking far beyond this cocktail.

The Upper House: Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, +852 3968 1000