Mulled Wines and Festive Cocktails to Drink This 2022 Christmas Season
Who doesn’t love a warm, steamy glass of mulled wine during Christmas? Now that the weather has thankfully pulled the mercury down a couple of notches and the puffer jackets have returned to the streets, we find the simple pleasure of grabbing a friend or two to enjoy a festive drink, as just the activity to make the most out of the soothing temperature dip. Revel in this joyous time of the year by enjoying a yummy drink at one (or a few) of these spots.
Terrible Baby
Served in a teacup that fits snugly as it warms up your hands, the Terrible Baby-style Mulled Wine (HK$100) is infused with a comforting spice mix of cloves, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, vanilla, as well as a tropical dash of orange, pineapple, and flowery hibiscus. If you like a little extra sweetness, a shot of spiced syrup is on hand to spruce up your potion.
If you’re lacking a sweet tooth, there is also the specially concocted TB Sour Twist (HK$100) spun from the triple tag team of black label sherry, calvados brandy, and red wine, with refreshing touches of citrus from fresh lemon and just that tiny dollop of syrup to keep it all together. Not unlike a drinkable reminiscence of the year that’s just passed and all its various flavours.
Location: Terrible Baby, 4/F, Eaton Hong Kong, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Kowloon
Contact details: +852 2782 1818
Candour
Get excited to Deck Da Club, because It’s the Holidaze and all the ballers are coming to town. Neighbourhood hip-hop joint Candour are turning up to celebrate festivities with two specially designed cocktails inspired by the Christmas season. Though no snow is to be found around the city, the Martell Noblige Pistachio Cognac and Fernet Hunter-based Snowed In (HK$98) is a take on the classic eggnog that delivers a soft snowy feel on all sensory aspects.
There is also Lights On (HK$98), a combination of the last traces of summer in the form of refreshing Lillet Blanc and cider, topped with the seasonal spices of cinnamon and a drizzle of peach honey for a fruity balance. Topped with slices of apple, this highball is one that replenishes and thaws you from within at the same time.
Location: Candour, 65 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2362 8100
Shady Acres
Transformed into a dreamlike gingerbread chalet of your wildest forgotten childhood fantasies, Shady Acres is joining hands with Monkey 47 Gin to present a winter wonderland brimming with twinkling bright lights and drinks that perk you right up. Slinging a series of bespoke collaborative cocktails that star the German gin of the hour, their selections deliver on the classic Christmas flavourings of gingerbread in the Ginger for Life (HK$110) and a combination of spices in house-made Monkey 47 Sloe Mulled Wine (HK$110).
The takeover will last until Dec. 24. Stay tuned to this Shady Chalet advent calendar for more details on events, parties, surprise drinks, and more Christmas fun to come!
Location: Shady Acres, 46 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 9220 4344
99 Bottles
Another Peel Street favourite known for their rotation of familiar friendly faces and Happy Hour prices that run all-day-every-hour, 99 Bottles are always dependable for a good ‘ole festive wine that hits the spot. Formulated by The Old Man’s Nikita Matveev, the 99 Bottles Mulled Wine (HK$60) is warmed up sous vide, and carries with it a constellation of unconventional yet deeply satisfying spice notes. Leading with lychee, the drink is sweet and fruity, all whilst retaining that wintry feel.
Location: 99 Bottles, Shop B, 59A Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 6679 1433
Lobster Bar by Island Shangri-la
Culling inspiration from the Christmas tale of the Nutcracker, Island Shangri-la presents a themed festive cocktail and mocktail menu that toasts to the joyous occasion with a plethora of reinterpreted classics. Swap the après ski hot chocolate and gingerbread combo for the Jazzy Cocoa Pie (HK$148) and Happy Ginger Cakes (HK$148), which makes for a nice treat with just a little bit of naughty. If you’re looking to keep your spot on the good list, the Starry Toffee Bread (HK$148) is a wonderful alcohol-free alternate that’s also been fluffed with double cream.
There is also the Jingle Ginger Pot (HK$148) that has been enhanced with traditional Chinese touch of baijiu and twist of ginger, plus the raspberry as the berry on top of the Tinsel Sparkle Berry (HK$148) which plays with the elements of a gin sour. Don’t miss Granny’s Mulled Wine Special (HK$148), which is multifaceted in its palate thanks to the dashings of rum, allspice, syrup, and mix of orange as well as lemon juice.
Location: Lobster Bar and Grill, Level 6, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2820 8560
Hjem
On top of their seasonal menu of Christmas eats, which features the delectable Festive Afternoon Tea (starting from HK$528) for two, in addition to the freshly baked Santa’s Cakes of the Day series, Nordic café-bar Hjem are also introducing several wintry cocktails to soothe for the season. Of course, there is the obligatory Hjem’s Signature Mulled Wine (HK$88), alongside the Gingerbread Espresso Martini (HK$108), which combines the people’s favourite coffee-based tipple with the cutest Christmas cookie.
Returning for the end of 2022 is the ever-so-popular Hjem digital advent calendar of deals. Between now and Christmas, diners and sippers can check the official Hjem Instagram for daily reveals of special discounts, freebies, voucher codes, and more.
Location: Hjem, 161 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2362 9193
CNY Bar
Whilst carolling is traditionally a part of the Christmas starter pack, the sleek CNY Bar decides to redirect that musical element towards a different sort of drinking experience instead. The elegant speakeasy, though tucked away in FOCO building’s upper floors, has been gaining reverence as a spot for audiophiles with a penchant for good cocktails, and vice versa.
To match the vibe of the airwaves, their playlist for the month is lined up with holiday tunes in all sorts of genres, ranging from jazz to alternative rock, to even Cantopop. To really raise the gifting spirits, patrons during the holiday period will get to enjoy a complimentary mulled wine as a welcome sip and gesture of good cheer.
Location: CNY Bar, 12/F, FOCO, 48 Cochrane St, Central, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 9881 7380
Subscribe to The Beat's newsletter to receive compelling, curated content straight to your inbox! You can also create an account with us for free to start bookmarking articles for later reading.