Zzura
The picture of serenity, Zzura is a much needed escape situated in the centre of Hong Kong’s bustling business district. The Middle-Eastern style cocktail bar is complete with Persian arches, water fountains and more, courtesy of designers NC Design & Architecture. Head bartender Princebir Singh frequently incorporates warm Middle Eastern spices across drinks, conjuring up a spiked chocolate for the holiday season. A milky chocolate drink is spiced with ras el hanout, an Arabic phrase literally meaning “topshelf” and typically referring to an earthy and vibrant spice mix. “Spices like cardamom, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon really evoke a nostalgic, Christmastime feel”, explains Princebir. The spiced hot chocolate is then spiked with plantation dark rum for added warmth and aroma. “Milky, chocolatey and creamy, this drink is bursting with spice and festive flavours!”
2/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Rd, Central; zzura.hk
Argo
A project 4 years in the making, Four Seasons’ Argo certainly does not disappoint. Headed by Four Seasons Beverage Manager Lorenzo Antinori, each drink is an innovative approach to mixology while ingredients are selected with seasonality in mind. This holiday season, Lorenzo has prepared a festive take on an Old Fashioned with an Eggnog twist, creating a cocktail comprising two spirits from Argo’s personal collection: a Four pillars spiced negroni gin and Glyph, the world’s first molecular whisky. The spirits are combined with a house-made custard distillate and a touch of vanilla syrup for a creamy mouthfeel and a subtly sweet finish to the warm and aromatic drink. “We always aim to trigger a guest’s curiosity through seemingly simple drinks which hide elements of complexity, either throughout the story or the making of the drink itself.” explains Lorenzo.
G/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central; fourseasons.com
G.H. Mumm
And what could be more festive than a glass of bubbly? G.H. Mumm’s iconic Grand Cordon bottle has been updated to incorporate some holiday cheer, with a red ribbon molded directly onto the glass of the bottle, encapsulating the brand’s rich heritage and winemaking journey. The brand’s signature cuvée, Grand Cordon, is crafted from 45% Pinot Noir, Mumm’s signature grape, and also 30% Chardonnay and 25% Meunier. Sourced from the Champagne region in France, the bold structure of Pinot Noir balances the minerality of Chardonnay and the fruitiness of Meunier. As for Grand Cordon’s complex flavour, notes of stone fruits, pineapples, vanilla and honey are present on the nose while a powerful finish of fresh fruits remain on the palate. Be sure to enjoy responsibly!
Photography: Samantha Sin
Styling: Ella Wong
Editor
Carina FischerCredit
Lead image: Photography by Samantha Sin with styling by Ella Wong
