Startender
- brittanypanter
- 2015年7月8日
- 讀畢需時 3 分鐘
Photo: Aqua spirit, located on the 30th floor of One Peking
Launched in 2009, Diageo started a search for the world’s best bartender. The annual search crowned Charles Joly the 2014 champion, who made his name at Chicago’s Aviary Bar, after he beat 48 other mixologists giving him the title of World’s Best Bartender.
Photo: Charles Joly
One of the benefits that comes with such a title is the opportunity to be whisked around the world making cocktails and extolling the virtues of the perfect drink. Joly is currently in Hong Kong where he unveiled a specially created menu of cocktails exclusively for aqua in Hong Kong.
Photo: Aqua nueva's terrace offers stunning views of London
Later this month he will fly to London to give cocktail lovers there a taste of his creations. The destination-inspired cocktails, from Biarritz to the tropical islands of the South Pacific, aim to give drinkers a taste of the ‘Spirit of Summer.’
Photo: The bar boasts arguably the most impressive views of the Hong Kong skyline
The five locations that inspired Joly are: Biarritz, the South Pacific, Miami’s Ocean Drive, Provence and the gardens of England. Each one has Cîroc vodka as its base (so for vodka connoisseurs that find the grape-based vodka not to their liking this may not be for you) and blends it with some of the classic flavors of summer, including cherry and coconut.
The Cocktails
Photo: The Biarritz
The Biarritz: a cocktail inspired by the seaside locale, famed for fashion and frequented by royalty and Hollywood stars of old. Biarritz conjures up images of large sun hats and lazy summer days by the pool at Hôtel Du Palais. Joly’s Biarritz cocktail is inspired by the original Martini and combines Cîroc vodka, bianco vermouth, dry sherry, chamomile liqueur, all finished with a mist of chamomile tincture and served in a coupette. The zesty and fresh drink strikes a balance between masculine and feminine.
Photo: The Provencal
The Provencal: with vivid blue skies and fields of lavender, known for lush rose gardens and green bushels of ripe berries. The Provençal cocktail harnesses the essence of the region with a blend of Cîroc vodka, raspberry, Amaretto, rose and absinthe to give heat that awakens the palate.
Photo: The Ocean Drive
The Ocean Drive: a playful cocktail that brings a little fizz pays homage to the 1930’s South Beach image of glitz, glamour and fun. Mixed with Cîroc vodka, sauternes, champagne vinegar, white grapes and carbonated water, this drink is sweet, spirituous with a tangy and effervescent bite with clean lines and strong definition.
Photo: The Garden of England
The Garden of England: a nod to the quintessential English herb garden. Homemade thyme liquor, yuzu, and Ciroc vodka is shaken and strained over ice and garnished with a fresh sprig of rosemary that has been dipped in green chartreuse before being briefly burned.
Photo: The South Pacific
The South Pacific: evoking the exotic beaches of Bali Ha'i, this refreshing cocktail is a blend of infused red berry and coconut Ciroc vodka, served with sour pineapple, Campari and a dash of fresh lime, served slowly over ice.
Aqua is part of Aqua Restaurant Group, an empire of 21 outlets. We hope to bring you a review of aqua soon, so stay tuned!
These five cocktails are available until August 31st at aqua spirit in the penthouse of the amazing One Peking and at Armani/Privé in Central. They are priced at HKD148.
For reservations at aqua spirit call (852) 3427 2288
For reservations at Armani/Privé call (852) 3583 2828
