Celebrate the best day of the year with these classic whisky cocktails
Calling all whisky aficionados! May 18th is celebrated around the globe as World Whisky Day, and frankly, it would be rude if you didn’t participate. In honour of this most auspicious occasion, we’ve rounded up a list of our five favourite whisky cocktails, and the best places to get them in Hong Kong.
Read on to find out who’s making the best Mint Julep and where you can grab the coolest Manhattan in town.
Old Fashioned
You’re only four ingredients away from a darn good cocktail. An Old Fashioned is one of the classic OG whisky cocktails, made with whisky, Angostura bitters, sugar, a splash of club soda and garnished with an orange twist. It’s an easy one to make at home, but why waste an opportunity to go out? Head to The Envoy at the Pottinger Hotel to let their dapper bartenders blow you away, all you have to do is choose your whisky.
The Envoy
3/F The Pottinger Hotel, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 2169 3311
www.theenvoy.hk
Whisky Sour
A good Whisky Sour is a celebration of balance, with no one flavour dominating the next. Made with whisky, fresh lemon juice, sugar and water – it’s got a refreshing zing to it. It’s sometimes served with frothed egg white, but that’s optional. For a creative twist on the original, try the Oak Whiskey Sour at The Woods. It’s made with French oak-infused Michter’s Rye Whiskey, Canadian maple syrup, fresh lemon juice and egg white.
The Woods
17-19 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2522 0281
www.thewoods.hk
Manhattan
According to legend, the Manhattan was the most famous cocktail in the world in the 1880s. After it was invented at New York City’s eponymous Manhattan Club, it took off and became the hottest cocktail on the scene. Surprisingly, the recipe hasn’t changed too much over the last century or so: two parts whisky to one part sweet vermouth, a dash of orange bitter and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Try the Wise King’s interpretation, the Pacharan Manhattan, made with Woodford Rye, Blackthorn Liqueur and Abbott’s Bitters.
The Wise King
25 Staunton Street, Tsung Wing Lane, Central
www.facebook.com/thewiseking
Highball
You can’t get much simpler than a highball. What started as a simple whisky and soda combination has flourished over the past decades, and now can entail any combination of spirit and non-alcoholic mixer. While Japan has really perfected this classic whisky drink, you don’t need a passport to get a perfect Highball this World Whisky Day—just head to The ThirtySix Bar & Co, Hong Kong’s latest bar addition that calls itself “an ode to the Highball”.
Read more: Go Inside Hong Kong's Coolest New Spot: The ThirtySix Bar & Co
The ThirtySix Bar & Co
2/F 23 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2446 1411
www.thirtysix.hk
Mint Julep
Here’s a drink that doesn’t get enough attention, the Mint Julep. A favourite of the American south, it’s made with bourbon, crushed ice, sugar and freshly muddled mint. Usually served in a tall glass, it’s a refreshing cocktail for summer that you can sip on all day. Try it for yourself at The Chinnery at The Mandarin Oriental, just remember to dress to impress as they do have a dress code.
The Chinnery
1/F Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central; +852 2825 4009
www.mandarinoriental.com
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