We've been out and about trying to find the most Insta-worthy cocktails in Hong Kong for your snapping and drinking pleasure
While we love a happy hour as much as the next person, there’s nothing quite like splurging on an ultra-fancy, Insta-worthy cocktail. These days, it’s not simply a matter of which glass to serve the beverage in, but how the entire cocktail is going to look on social media – queue edible flowers, dry ice, and glowing ice-cubes. And although we do love ourselves a drink that is as pretty as a picture, we still think it has taste delicious too. All of these Insta-worthy cocktails in Hong Kong have the Honeycombers seal of approval.
Must-try Insta-worthy cocktails in Hong Kong
1. Mad Enchantment at Dear Lilly
Time for some posh fingers! Everyone loves the afternoon tea set at Dear Lilly – and many of us are nostalgic for their cups and saucers that look like they could be part of our grandma’s porcelain collection. The creative cocktails at Dear Lilly need no introduction. But Mad Enchantment – a cocktail that’s presented in a tall teacup and garnished with edible flowers – is unlike any we’ve had in the city. The drink consists of Calvados, vanilla syrup, fresh lemon and apple juice. Blackberry purée and egg white make a smooth foam that enhances the elegance of the drink.
Dear Lilly, Shop 4010, 4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, p.2771 6060
2. Gin and Tonic at HYC Bar and Lounge
This gin bar takes it up a notch with their pick and mix G&Ts. Pick from six gins and then mix it with the tonic of your choice; be it Capi, Fever Tree, or East Imperial. And then comes the fun bit – the smoke; choose from apple, oak, earl grey, lavender, and more. HYC is famous for its shisha afterall. Wait for the magic to unfurl as you watch the bartender serve your drink in a smoke-filled jar, which they slowly lift it (this is where you get the boomerang feature ready on your Instagram!) to let the smoke escape.
HYC Bar and Lounge, 22/F, Nathan Hill, 38 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2572 6388
3. Smoke Bomb at Boticario
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH7zOuIjBRy/
The Smoke Bomb is an interactive drink where guests can create their own, well, smoke bomb, which disperses at the touch of a fingertip. The drink consists of aged Diplomatico Planas rum from Venezuela infused with pineapple, almond, sherry, fresh lime juice, and cacao bitters – and we love everything about it!
Boticario, Shop G5 & UG 15, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, 66 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2765 0800
4. Flaming Monkey at Funky Monkey
This drink is fire – literally! The bartender will light up this rum-based signature cocktail so get your phones ready, you’re in for a show. Some of the other signature tiki cocktails at Funky Monkey are also set alight but if you’re not a fan of the flames, we also recommend Kpoila – a unique cocktail served in a vase, garnished with a flower.
Funky Monkey has multiple locations in Hong Kong.
5. Japanese Garden at Aqua
We love the warm, earthy touches to this fruity and sour cocktail. Why is it called the Japanese Garden? It’s infused with yuzu, which we all know and love, and the main liquor is earl grey infused Ketel One vodka – so this drink may not be a brisk walk in the park. We absolutely love the touch of the intricate handwoven basket!
Aqua, 29/F, Penthouse, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 3427 2288
6. Smoking Gun at Tokyolima
One of the signature drinks on the menu at Tokyolima is the Smoking Gun – an in-house spin on the classic Negroni. Made with Lapsang tea infused with Bulldog gin, Campari, chocolate bitters, and Yzaguirre red vermouth, this cocktail definitely needs to be on your table (and feed!). The traditional Japanese box is filled with smoke so when the bartender slowly lifts the lid, it’s just magical!
Tokyolima, G/F, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2811 1152
7. Early Bird from The Envoy
There’s no better way to end a work day than sitting on the terrace at The Envoy and enjoying an Early Bird cocktail. Served in a stunning hand-made Spanish glass that resembles the shape of a bird, the cocktail itself is a tasty mix of vodka, passionfruit, pineapple, lemon, French vanilla syrup and a dash of Angostura bitters. The quirkiest part of all though, is undoubtedly the bamboo straw tail that makes this drink even better.
The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2169 3311, 中環皇后大道中74號中環石板街酒店3樓
8. Four Pepper Margarita by The Woods
Do you like it spicy? We sure do, and the Four Pepper Margarita from The Woods ticks all the right boxes in the taste department, leaving you with a mighty kick. This drink looks as good as it tastes thanks to the mix of bell pepper and jalapeno-infused Ocho Blanco Tequila, colourful peppers that are used as garnish on top and the lime zest salt that sits around the rim – yum!
The Woods, 17 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2522 0281, 中環荷李活道17號
KGB by Ori-Gin (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
Not quite what you were thinking, this KGB actually stands for ‘Kyoho Grape Bathtub’ and is actually served in a bathtub – complete with rubber ducky! The drink itself is a martini that includes gin, Cointreau, Kyoho Liqueur, grape juice and elderflower syrup, and it’s even topped off with bubbles!
Ori-Gin, G/F, 48 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2668 5583, 中環雲咸街48號地下
If you are looking for more cocktail info, be sure to check out our round-up of best bars and to read our Guide to Happy Hours in Hong Kong.
