In the past 10 years, the Hong Kong cocktail scene has grown immensely, attracting top mixologists to create innovative drinks for cocktail lovers. The annual Hong Kong Cocktail Weeks promotion is a celebration of their achievements. It provides a platform for bars and brands with the same philosophy to attract cocktail connoisseurs and connect both professionals and enthusiastic amateurs through exciting experiences.
This year, the event starts with a pop-up shop featuring a bar from Japan (from now until 9 November) at K11 Art Mall, followed by barhopping around the city from 26 October until 30 November.
The pop-up store showcases over 100 spirits, from whisky and gin to rum and pisco – the bases of most classic cocktails. Visitors can also take part in masterclasses on weekends to learn more about these spirits and discover new cocktail trends. The full list of masterclasses can be viewed here.
The highlight of the pop-up store is the Saga Bar, based on the concept of “Taste Saga”. It provides a relaxing atmosphere for Japanese fans to explore sake, shochu, Japanese liqueur, wine and lifestyle products from Saga Prefecture in Japan. Selected spirits and sake are available for tasting every day.
There is a mock-up of a whisky man on a bench with a box of corn, representing Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, which is made with corn. Next to it is an autumn scene with red leaves and a deer that symbolises Scotch whisky Glenfiddich. Glenfiddich means “Valley of the Deer” in Scottish Gaelic, hence the presence of a stag symbol on the Glenfiddich bottle. Both are perfect backdrops for selfies!
Starting later this month, the barhopping experience allows guests to enjoy special cocktails at over 30 bars around town. Every Wednesday at this city-wide event, there will be a “guest shift” evening where mixologists from different bars will come together to demonstrate their skills and share their favourite cocktails with guests. Details will be available on the event’s website and social media platforms.
One of the participating bars is MOONKOK. In addition to serving up classic cocktails, the group have also developed their own wine brand, LUNAQUA, a flavoured wine series made in Hong Kong using natural raw materials and advanced technology. The wine, made from grain instead of grapes, is infused with different natural flavours, from refreshing jasmine and yuzu to more intense flavours of red date and coffee. It can be enjoyed on its own or used in cocktails.
Shoken (初見), a cocktail made with white rum, LUNAQUA DAISY, peppermint tea, orange, mango and lime, is my favourite. There are also other seasonal specials with imaginative names such as Present (初老), containing white rum and LUNAQUA SENCHA, and Coffee and Sleeping Pills, made with rum and LUNAQUA OOLONG. Located at the ground-floor level of K11 Art Mall, MOONKOK makes for the perfect stop after visiting the Hong Kong Cocktail Weeks’ Saga Bar.
The pop-up shop is located on B2 floor of K11 Art Mall, very close to Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR stations.
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