Here's your guide to the best spirits and liqueurs manufactured in Hong Kong. They range from fragrant concoctions scented with flowers and herbs to tea-inspired beverages you'll want to sip rather than swig.
Hong Kong breweries have transformed craft beer in the city and continent within the last ten years. Spirits and liqueurs are not far behind distilled alcohols, which are still subject to a 100% tax rate. The cocktail makers and movers-and-shakers have been hard at work, albeit in limited numbers. They should be commended for persevering in the face of adversity, experimenting with tipples, and producing wines that showcase Hong Kong's distinct heritage and terroir.
These labels prioritise quality over quantity in light of the increased emphasis on conscious consumption; therefore, enjoy moderation and don't hesitate to get help if you're having trouble finding a balance. Learn about, support, and enjoy these Hong Kong-made liqueurs and spirits!
Top 8 Hongkong Liquors To Explore
Magnolia Lab
Mixologist Dennis Mak co-founded Magnolia Lab, a domestic liqueur brand that straddles the line between Chinese medicinal wine and herbal Italian digestives like amaro or fernet. The brand aims to capitalise on the long-standing use of plants in Chinese culture. In August 2021, the brand debuted with two flavours: roselle and magnolia.
Tinshing Umeshu
Tinshing Umeshu, a plum wine produced in Hong Kong, was introduced at the end of 2020 and is inspired by the sweetness and sourness of life. Founder Eddie makes the umeshu by steeping green plums in rice wine for a year, and each frosted glass bottle of this tart, sweet liqueur is made simply and gently in Hong Kong without any technology or additions. The end product is a sweet, tangy liqueur that tastes well on its own, in a basic mixer, or mixed into a cocktail.
Ex Plum Wine
Even though umeshu is most frequently linked to Japan, a locally made plum wine has been available for purchase for the past year! In Hong Kong, specifically in Kwa Wan, the independent umeshu company Ex Plum Wine Brewers handles every step, from washing the plums to steeping the fruit and bottling the liqueur. Before the sour-sweet liqueur is made, each green plum is hand-picked and soaked in alcohol for a full year to infuse. The news that Ex recently released a coffee-flavoured umeshu, which you can sample in highball form at Dio in Soho, may be of interest to those who like espresso martinis, coffee shochu, and other caffeine-spiked liquors.
NIP Distilling
NIP Distilling was established by two friends, Jeremy and Nic, whose inexperience in the food and beverage sector led to the brand's moniker, "Not Important Person." The company draws inspiration from the timeless Hong Kong spirit to create a Hong Kong spirit. A tribute to Hong Kong's flavours and culture, the spirit is flavoured with Longjing and shumai tea, snow pear, ginger, and osmanthus.
Two Moons Distillery
There are just two approved gin distilleries in Hong Kong, even though the city is home to and the inspiration for many gin brands. After experimenting with gin infusions, Hongkongers Dimple Yuen and Ivan Chang aimed to produce a rich and balanced spirit that would taste as excellent as in a creative cocktail. This led them to establish Two Moons, a distillery located in Chai Wan.
Tipsy Cat
This alcoholic lemon tea brand is aimed at Hongkongers who are craving nostalgia (and cold "ling cha") with its eye-catching Chinese tiger-inspired pattern and sophisticated take on "cha chaan teng flavour." It's also a more drinkable choice at five to seven per cent ABV, and the gorgeous glass bottles also make a great souvenir. Recently, the well-known company expanded its product line to include a carbonated can of the original still-bottled tea. Both are readily available in pubs and stores around Hong Kong, making them nearly as easy to pick up as a boxed lemon tea.
Only
Check out Only Beverages' signature beverage, the Only Vodka Soda, which combines all the light and low-calorie qualities of vodka soda with added flavour in a portable, ready-to-drink container. This 80-calorie beverage, which is made from vodka that has undergone five distillations, promotes itself as a way to enjoy alcohol without compromising one's health and well-being. It is gluten-free, free of artificial flavours, sweeteners, and preservatives, and it is also appropriate for people following vegan and ketogenic diets. Tahitian lime and yuzu ginger are the two fresh, citrussy tastes now offered; neither has sugar or carbohydrates.
BubbleMe
BubbleMe, a sparkling alcoholic beverage with vitamin C and "a hint of fruit flavour," is another domestic hard seltzer that has just entered the ready-to-drink market. With only 83 calories per can, two grams of carbohydrates, and no sugar or gluten, BubbleMe is a light alcoholic seltzer that bills itself as a "new approach to guilt-free drinking." At the moment, BubbleMe is available in three simple flavours that mix nicely with cocktails: mango peach, lychee lime, and strawberry.