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Top Hong Kong Cocktails and Where to Try Them (Chosen by Our Resident Bargoers!)

Want to enjoy the city’s cocktail scene like a true-blue local?  

Nightlife enjoyers on our team gladly bounced (and staggered) from one bar to another to compile the best Hong Kong-inspired cocktails in town. 

And nope, this isn’t clickbait! From classic mixes to creative concoctions, we included the ones that genuinely pay homage to the region’s authentic flavors and vibrant cultural tapestry. 

So, what are you waiting for? Give these cocktails a shot—or a nice, long sip. 

Trust me, you’ll want to savor every drop! 

Licorice at Chinesology   

Media credit: chinesologyhk 

Address: 8 Shop 3101, IFC Mall, Finance Street, Central   

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Saturday – 12 PM to 3 PM, 6 PM to 10:30 PM
  • Sunday – 11:30 PM to 3 PM, 6 PM to 10 PM

Contact details: +852 6809 2299 

Cocktail price: $  

Website 

Chinesology’s bar is inspired by the Compendium of Materia Medica (Great Pharmacopeia). This encyclopedic work explores medicine, Chinese herbology, and natural history. 

The resulting cocktails—vintage and Tang Dynasty-inspired—are infused with this rich legacy and a touch of Western flair.

Licorice is a popular pick among their medical herb-inspired drinks. This concoction combines licorice-infused gin with tonic, Lillet blanc, and homemade preserved plum liquor. 

Be ready, though, as this combination offers a refreshing sweetness, then a subtle kick of bitter aftertaste.  

Want to try some more? Go for the dried tangerine peel if you want something smooth and sweet. 

Meanwhile, if you prefer a more herbal yet fruity taste, we suggest you try the monk fruit.  

ARGO Martini at ARGO   

Media credit: argobarhk 

Address: 8 Finance Street, Central 

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday – 7 AM to 10:30 AM, 12 PM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 1 AM
  • Friday to Saturday – 7 AM to 10:30 AM, 12 PM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 2 AM
  • Sunday – Closed  

Contact details: +852 3196 8882  

Cocktail price: $$ 

Website 

ARGO is an award-winning Four Seasons bar that’s a fancy pick among bargoers. They’re known for their collection of innovative spirits and classic favorites.    

Speaking of favorites, cocktail mixology trends here come and go. However, their ARGO Martini is a classic that never leaves their menu. What makes it different is that it’s neither stirred nor shaken – it’s layered. 

This intriguing drink combines ARGO’s signature gin with in-house seasonal hydrosols, so it’s a bit sweeter and more aromatic than usual. 

If you prefer a more citrusy or savory flavor profile, don’t worry. Bartenders can layer the martini with other elements like Dolin blanc, Mancino secco, and Plymouth gin.    

Dong Ling Cha at Terrible Baby 

Media credit: terriblebaby

Address: 4/F, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan 

Operating hours: 

  • Sunday to Thursday – 2 PM to 12 AM
  • Friday to Saturday – 2 PM to 2 AM 

Contact details: +852 2710 1866  

Cocktail price: $ 

Website 

Does sipping cocktails on the outdoor terrace with live music accompaniment sound like your idea of a good time? If so, Terrible Baby offers the perfect setting and menu for a fun night out with friends.  

Dong Ling Cha is one of the bar’s signature and bestselling cocktails. It’s their version of Cantonese iced tea but with a twist!

Instead of the usual black tea and lemon, they use a mix of Campari, cold brew-infused dark rum, and grapefruit juice. Plus, it’s topped with a dash of sparkling lemon tea. 

Overall, it offers a bolder and tangier taste, so we always pair it with salty snacks like their deep-fried oysters and double truffle fries

Want to try other cocktails? You can also indulge in light and refreshing drinks during the bar’s happy hour. 

From Sunday to Thursday, come here around 2 PM to 7 PM to enjoy budget-friendly cocktails like the osmanthus blossom and Siu siu Pink

Canto Mary at The St. Regis Bar 

Address: 2/F, The St. Regis Hong Kong, One Harbour Drive, Wan Chai  

Operating hours: 

  • Sunday to Wednesday – 12 PM to 12 AM 
  • Thursday to Saturday – 12 PM to 1 AM 

Contact details: +852 2138 6800  

Cocktail price: $$  

Website 

Bloody Marys are well-loved cocktails in many bars and gourmet restaurants. No wonder Canto Mary, The St. Regis Bar’s reimagined version of them, is also a huge hit among patrons.  

This exciting cocktail infuses classic Cantonese flavors and Western influences. 

The star elements of this drink are chang pei (dry tangerine peel), five-spice mix, and soy sauce. Here’s some fun trivia: these ingredients were typically sold by traders in Wan Chai before, a district where the bar is located, so it’s infused with history too! 

This unique concoction comes with some Don Alfonso Oloroso Sherry, smoked grappa, lemon, and tomato juice. The result is a distinct umami taste with a smoky and spicy kick at the end. 

With its low alcohol content, we think it’s perfect for brunch or an after-work tipple.  

Hong Kong Iced Tea at Mott 32

Media credit: mott32hk

Address: Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road, Central  

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 11 PM

Contact details: +852 2885 8688  

Cocktail price: $$ 

Website 

Mott 32 is known for its royal cut peking duck. But, when it comes to cocktails, the restaurant’s signature Hong Kong iced tea is definitely the highlight of the show.   


This drink is served on the rocks like the beloved homemade iced teas. 

The difference is that it has fancier ingredients – a mix of Blanco tequila, blackcurrant, jasmine tea, and Lillet blanc. Plus, it contains basil seeds, which are like a healthier spin on boba in bubble teas!

And guess what? There are other Hong Kong-style cocktails worth raving about here. 

Try the Forbidden Rose if you crave a fruity and creamy cocktail. Meanwhile, the Mott St. Mule is a good pick if you want a stronger drink with a nutty and spicy finish.    

Chili Haw Margarita at The Dispensary 

Media credit: thedispensaryhk

Address: Police Headquarters Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central   

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 3 PM to 12 AM 

Contact details: +852 2848 3000 

Cocktail price: $$ 

Website

The Dispensary isn’t a run-of-the-mill bar. As its name suggests, it offers unorthodox cocktail takes on traditional Chinese medicine and Western natural remedies. 

Apart from that, the bar features drinks that pay homage to the city’s history.      

For instance, the Chili Haw Margarita, one of their bestsellers, is served in a can. The packaging is crafted to look like haw flakes, a nostalgic snack Hongkongers often eat to mask the bitter taste of Chinese herbal medicine. 

Of course, it’s not just about the presentation! The Chili Haw Margarita is a mix of tequila blanco, spices, and a dash of lime and vanilla. 

That’s why it’s popular among patrons who prefer a fruity and zesty drink with a spicy kick.

Earl Grey Caviar Martini at Quinary

Media credit: quinaryhk

Address: 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central 

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Saturday – 5 PM to 1 AM
  • Sunday – 5 PM to 12 AM 

Contact details: +852 2851 3223  

Cocktail price: $$ 

Website 

Quinary is owned and run by Antonio Lai, the city’s cocktail legend. Here, enjoying quality tipples is a memorable experience. 

Almost every seat inside has a view of the bar, so you’ll see the theatrics behind every sou vide, shake infusion, and flambé. Quinary also showcases Instagrammable cocktails and an extensive wine list.   

Earl Grey Caviar Martini is perhaps their most popular and most photographed creation. It’s made with Cointreau, citrus vodka, and elderflower syrup. 

To elevate this already delightful cocktail, it’s topped with Earl Grey tea “caviar” (spherified tea) and Earl Grey-infused foam.    

A pro tip: Don’t get overwhelmed by all the foam; just sip it!

This signature bestseller offers a tasteful mix of sweet and sour flavors. That’s why it’s best paired with flavorful dishes like Quinary’s Sichuan chicken wings and mini beef burgers

Lap Yuk Old Fashioned at Avoca 

Media credit: avocahongkong

Address: 38/F, Mondrian, 8A Hart Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui  

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 6:30 AM to 1 AM 

Contact details: +852 3550 0338 

Cocktail price: $$ 

Website 

Avoca is one of Mondrian Hong Kong’s newest F&B offerings in Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s also a good option for those looking for a cozy date spot!

In addition to its sophisticated atmosphere, it’s an exceptional place to appreciate the scenic views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. 

Besides that, it’s a modern bar featuring innovative cocktails inspired by local delicacies.  

For example, its Lap Yuk Old Fashioned is an umami spin on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. Unlike the latter, which has a bold and rich flavor, Avoca’s version is more savory and smoky.  

This is because it uses a mix of Chinese bacon-infused bourbon, cantaloupe melon molasses, and aromatic bitters. We recommend this to those who enjoy more complex and flavorful drinks. 

Up for something more? Indulge in other Hong Kong-style cocktails like clay pot negroni, mango pomelo colada, and haam neng mung

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