Mulled Wine to Christmas Cocktails: Where to Find Festive Drinks in Hong Kong

‘Tis the season to be merry!

December is upon us and we’re ready for a drink. Tuck the little ones in bed, and check out the warming festive drinks on offer in the 852. In the run up to 2018, you’re sure to have your fair share of Christmas dos, work parties, school plays and visits to Santa, so we’re here to make December a little easier for you. We’ve done the sipping around to find the best seasonal drinks in the city. From classic mulled wine, to boozy milkshakes, spiked eggnog and even special cocktails, here’s what we’re drinking this month…

Read more: The Only Mulled Wine Recipes You Will Need This Festive Season

Serving up Mulled Wine ($50) for Christmas, we can’t wait to sit in Aberdeen Street Social’s fairy-lit outdoor area and toast with the warm spiced drink. Made with brandy, orange, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and anise, you can even choose to have yours served with additional spike of Scotch whisky ($70), or opt for the Mulled Cider ($60), served with spices and stewed fruits, or the rich, creamy Social Eggnog ($100).

Aberdeen Street Social, G/F, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.aberdeenstreetsocial.hk

If you find yourself celebrating with some delicious steak and frites this festive season, don’t miss the chance to try the Kir des Alpes at La Vache! ($98). Comprising of elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and brut sparkling wine, it’s a fitting and sparkly toast to the season. Your parents-only night sorted!

La Vache!, 48 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.lavache.com.hk

With two joyful specials, Potato Head is the place to go to this silly season. The Balinese-style Festive Punch ($99), features rum, brandy, coconut, sherry, and an injection of Indonesian spices, and is sure to pack a punch on flavour! Feeling bold? Also available is the Kelimutu Christmas Shot ($99) – a quick nip of whisky, tamarind, cinnamon, and port, which is lit on fire for good measure.

Potato Head, 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, www.ptthead.com

It may be obvious by now that we’re big fans of mulled wine. And one of our favourite places to head to for a taste of this festive tipple when temperatures drop is The Beer Bay. For just $99 per serving you’ll get a pint size glass (or $55 for a small), which will should warm you up as you gaze across the harbour and take in the twinkling Christmas displays.

The Beer Bay, Pier 3 and Pier 4, Central Ferry Pier, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/bbpier3and4

Perched high above Causeway Bay, the angels must be smiling on Le Rêve this season as the fine dining retso is serving up not one, but two festive cocktails. The Snowman’s Secret ($130) has a creamy texture with chocolate, refreshing citrus flavours and a warm ginger note, topped off with a gingerbread man wearing a snowman costume. The Fruit of Sin ($130) is a sophisticated take on the classic mulled cider, featuring a warming base of Calvados, and finished with rose syrup and apple juice.

Le Rêve, 10/F, ZING!, 38 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, www.lereve.com.hk

California-inspired eatery, Commissary, is also offering up a duo of festive drinks this Christmas. Sit back and sip on Spiced Caramel Lattes ($40), or warm up with the Bourbon Eggnog ($80), a warming tipple of bourbon, maple syrup, cream, eggs and nutmeg. Plus, this spot is 100% family friendly. Think pram accessibility, parking, high chairs, a kids menu and a play area.

Commissary, Shop 405, 4/F Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, www.commissary.hk

Read more: Kid Friendly Restaurants for Brunch and Lunch in Hong Kong

Not into mulled wine? No worries! Head to Burger Circus and check out its seasonal “Naughty” and “Nice” Shakes. Priced at $78 each, the shakes are made of house-churned peppermint gelato, sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. The “Naughty” shake is spiked with a cheeky shot of cinnamon whiskey, while the non-alcoholic “Nice” shake is the perfect option for sugar-craving kids.

Burger Circus, 22 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.burgercircus.com.hk

Available all month long at Pirata, il Natale ($90) is a perfect bubbly treat for the festive season. A sweet, Prosecco-based concoction, featuring pear puree and lemon juice, this fizzy number sounds dangerously drinkable.

Pirata, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.pirata.hk

Get cosy and into the seasonal spirit with CÉ LA VI’s winter warming cocktails. Served both in the Club Lounge and on the Sky Deck, the CLV Toddy ($128) is made with Baron Otard VSOP, honey water, cinnamon syrup, hot water and apple juice, whilst the Hot Buttered Rum ($128) comprises of Havana 7-year rum, butter, hot water and cinnamon syrup. Head to the Sky Lounge and wrap up in a complimentary blanket whilst enjoying your warming tipples and taking in the killer view.

Ce La Vi, 25/F California Tower, 36, 30 D’Aguilar Street, Central, www.hk.celavi.com

Fellow Pirata Group resto, The Optimist, is also helping us get into the celebratory season this year. Its new cocktail, Canela ($100) is made from Wild Turkey Bourbon, spiced cinnamon syrup, a dash of red wine and fresh lime juice topped with egg white and flambéed marshmallows – sure to have anyone feeling merry!

The Optimist, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.theoptimist.hk

We aren’t the only ones who enjoy classic mulled wine. This season Rula Bula is serving up glasses for just $60 a pop. Even more reason to have more than one, if you ask us!

Rula Bula, 58-62 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.rulabula.com.hk

For those who want to reminisce and have a grown-up taste of childhood, you’ll love the toasted marshmallow topped Nöel Blanc ($118) at Le Garçon Saigon. Featuring cinnamon home-infused white rum and crème de cacao, the rich cream-based drink is one to warm up with on a winters’ nights.

Le Garçon Saigon, 12 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.legarconsaigon.com

Everyone’s favourite happy hour spot is helping us to get into the festive swing of things with four special Christmas cocktails. Try the Christmopolitan, made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime and absinthe mist for a real kick, or go for the You’ll Shoot Your Rye Out, flavoured with pumpkin spiced rye whiskey, Budweiser marshmallow syrup and egg. We also love the sound of the Run Run Rudolph, with blanco tequila, coffee liqueur, iced hot chocolate, and Mexican spices, along with the Bad Santa, consisting of mulled red wine, tawny port, orange liqueur, spices and golden raisins. Each cocktail is priced at $120. Plus, the family friendly festive pop-up is sure to keep every member of the clan entertained!

Lily & Bloom, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.lily-bloom.com