The festive season is upon us and it’s time to be merry. We’ve boozed our way around town to find you the hottest cocktails in the coolest bars because we all know winter is the perfect time to get liberal with libations.
The Gingerbread Man
Run, run as fast as you can to catch The Gingerbread Man at Aqua and Armani Aqua. Cinnamon, sweet ginger syrup, vodka and lemon shaken and topped with a mini gingerbread man makes for an adorable excuse for a drink (and snack).
Add: Aqua and Armani Aqua, 2/F, Landmark Chater (Chater House), 8 Connaught Rd Central, Central
Phone: 00852 3583 2828
Sangria
Sangria shouldn’t be relegated to a summer drink and mulled wine isn’t everyone’s cup of… wine, so 22 Ships are serving their famous (and extra strong) sangria to get you ship-faced. After all, sangria is made for tapas, no matter what time of year it is and it’s always tapas time here.
Add: 22 Ships, G/F, 22 Ship Street, Wan Chai
Phone: 00852 2555 0722
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 12:00 – 15:00, 18:00 – 23:00; Sun 12:00 – 14:30, 18:00 – 22:00
Chocolate Crumble
Legend has it that a group of foreigners couldn’t find turkey on Christmas day in Japan and had fried chicken instead. A KFC marketing exec had a eureka moment and KFC launched their first Christmas meal in December 1974 which continues to be a festive tradition in Japan to this day. Thankfully that’s not the case in Hong Kong or Japanese bar Amazake, where you can sip on the dessert-like Chocolate Crumble combining vodka, amaretto, hot chocolate with cream and almond flakes. Point being, it tastes nothing like fried chicken and this Japanese bar knows how to celebrate Christmas properly.
Add: Amazake, G/F On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central
Phone: 00852 2537 7787
There’s Something About Sherry
Ham and Sherry’s secret hidey hole Back Bar is the perfect den to booze away the winter months. Sherry and Christmas are unfortunately synonymous with drunken grandmothers but this concoction made with Amontillado, amaretto, rum, lemon and bitters served in a hair gel tub will knock the socks off your grandma but won’t tame your mane.
Add: Back Bar at Ham and Sherry, G/F., 1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai
Phone: 00852 2555 0628
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 12:00 – 15:00,18:00 – 23:00; Sun 12:00 – 21:00
Snow Concoction
New kid on the block Popsy Modern Kitchen is tastefully adorned with Christmas decorations and the Snow Concoction, crafted with Cognac, Cointreau, crème de cassis, mixed berries, orange bitters and vanilla syrup is the drink you should be getting drunk from whilst chowing down on some fine dining.
Add: Popsy Modern Kitchen, 5/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central
Phone: 00852 2907 8188
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 12:00 – 15:00, 18:00 – 23:00; Sun Closed
Brussel Sprout Gibson
Brussels sprouts can divide households in the festive season. Love them or hate them, it’s hard to say no to anything when it comes with alcohol. This blend of Sipsmith gin, dry vermouth, homemade pickling liquid and homemade pickled Brussels sprouts is a welcome change from boiled, flatulence inducing sprouts that sadly roll around Christmas dinner plates.
Add: The Woods, 17 Hollywood Road, Central
Phone: 00852 2522 0281
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 18:00 – 2:00