TGIF: Hong Kong's best summer cocktails with 'wow' factor

Sick and tired of the same old cocktails? We’ve scoured Hong Kong’s finest bars for five new summer cocktails that deliver on the ‘wow’ factor – cheers to that!

Hangxiety at Lobster Bar, Island Shangri-La

Explore centuries of cocktail renaissance with Lobster Bar’s latest drinks menu, The Archivist, which give dozens of classic cocktails a 21st century makeover. The Hangxiety offers an intoxicating spin on the mint julep, which originally gained popularity for medicinal purposes in 18th-century America; Lobster Bar’s modern reinvention features 12 year-aged whiskey, naughty shrub, fresh mint and tropical fruit bitters, all served in a smoking copper pineapple… Just what the doctor ordered!

Lobster Bar, 6/F, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2820 8560

Supercooled Japanese Vodka Martini at Zuma

Perennial Central hotspot Zuma is cooling things down this summer with their new Supercooled Japanese Vodka Martini. A collaboration with celebrated Japanese distillery Nikka, this contemporary twist on the classic cocktail combines vodka and vermouth with cherry tomatoes pickled in-house in honey and plum, and uses the latest mixology technology – fractional freezing – to ensure you’ll be sipping on the coldest martinis in Asia.

Zuma, Level 5 & 6, Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, +852 3657 6388

Meleka Bazaar at Origin

Beat the heat with a one-of-a-kind tipple at Origin’s jungle-themed pop-up, a collaboration with Tanqueray celebrating the return of their much-loved, previously-discontinued Malacca gin. Origin has created a trio of special cocktails inspired by Charles Tanqueray’s expedition to the Malay Peninsula (where he created the original spice-infused recipe for Malacca), including Meleka Bazaar. This Insta-worthy concoction from renowned mixologist Antonio Lai features Tanqueray Malacca, bitter gourd, honey, pear and Tabasco – a thirst-quenching symphony of unexpected flavours.

Origin, 48 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2668 5583

Teapresso Martini at Tell Camellia

Since everyone and their great-aunt has tried an espresso martini these days, how about mixing things up with a tea version instead? Artisanal cocktail bar Tell Camellia has ditched the coffee to create their Teapresso Martini, which features roasted green tea vodka, malted cocoa and pistachio dust. Think full-bodied flavours, but with zero caffeine – certainly not your average cuppa.

Tell Camellia, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 9821 5501

Unfinished Puzzles at The Envoy

Sink back a sundowner on The Envoy’s breezy alfresco terrace, courtesy of their new globe-trotting cocktail menu, A Settler’s Memoir. Unfinished Puzzles takes inspiration from colourful colonial architecture in the Ecuadorian village of Vilcabamba; this equally colourful concoction stars hop-infused pisco and cachaça, mango and lemon juice, honey, and Earl Grey and butterfly pea tea, topped by shards of blackberry and mango “glass”.

The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, +852 2169 3311 

See also: Hong Kong’s best icy desserts to beat the summer heat