Adam Bires, a self-confessed Negroni addict, tells us where to sample the best versions of the classic cocktail in Hong Kong
From scouting out the best happy hours deals to the finest wine bars and gin bars in Hong Kong, it’s no secret that we love a drink. And if you’d like to find out where to grab the best Negronis in Hong Kong, then you’ve come to the right place.
Our picks for the best Negronis in Hong Kong
As a classic drink – one part gin, one part vermouth, one part Campari, with a heavy emphasis on an ice block and orange peel – you’d be inclined to think that it tastes the same everywhere. Is it strange to say every Negroni we’ve ever had is different? Each bartender does their own thing with it, and it’s even used as the test of a good mixologist. Pro Tip: if it is served with ice cubes (plural) and a slice of orange (not peel) – run away.
COA
The new kid in town, solidifying Mezcal as a trend in the city, presents one of the most unique Negronis on the list. Things can usually go array when messing with the classics, but here we have hints of coffee that pair so perfectly we kick ourselves for not thinking of it first! Add to that a splash of Mezcal and a garnish of chocolate, we’ve got a solid new age Negroni worth writing about. After a few sips, when the chocolate hits the ideal ice-block-melting-in-a-Negroni ratio, pop the chocolate in your mouth and order another! This is without a doubt one of the best Negronis in Hong Kong.
COA, Wan Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Hong Kong, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2813 5787, 中環善慶街6-10號
Lily & Bloom (a la Blind Pig)
There’s something about a cigar with a Negroni, the bold smokey flavors do wonders for a palette (think cheese to wine). When you can’t actually fly out of Hong Kong for an escape, we recommend you find peaceful moments with a cigar from Blind Pig, the hidden cigar room inside Lily & Bloom’s 6th floor, and a Negroni from the famed cocktail haunt. It’s a quiet retreat and the mixologist here doesn’t shy at stirring a drink to your liking.
Find out why Lily & Bloom also makes our list of top brunches in Hong Kong.
Lily & Bloom, 5/F & 6/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, p.2810 6166, 中環蘭桂坊雲咸街33號LKF Tower 5樓及6樓
The Old Man
The newly minted top bar in Hong Kong has been drawing cocktail lovers to their little alley for some time now. These experts of the cocktail craft know how to take care of your thirst. Their Negroni is a bold take, leaning on the darker side, and fitting for the environment. When drinking a Negroni, sometimes it requires a whole vibe with it, and we particularly like how The Old Man pairs it with a playlist that sets the mood. Strange? Maybe, but we love a classic with a classic. After all, the bar was built in honor of Ernest Hemingway.
The Old Man, G/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2703 1899, 中環蘇豪鴨巴甸街37號地下
The Macallan Whiskey Bar & Lounge
Bonus Macau mention! A Whiskey Bar? At Galaxy Macau? We know it may not be your first stop for a gin based cocktail, but The Macallan Whiskey Bar & Lounge serves a sweet version of a Negroni, much like the Campari drenched Negronis of Italian coastlines. For all the Campari lovers, this a solid choice for Negroni nights. They also have a Davidoff cigar room with a fair selection you can enjoy on the terrace.
The Macallan Whiskey Bar & Lounge, 146, R. do Alm. Costa Cabral, Galaxy Macau, Macau, p. +853 8883 2221
