Mama’s Night Out: Hong Kong’s Most Festive Drinks, From Christmas Cocktails To Mulled Wine

 Where to drink this December.

‘Tis the season to be merry! It’s not like you need a helping hand to get your hands on a tipple or two over the holiday period, but just in case you were wondering where to find the most festive creations, we’ve got you covered. From creamy cocktails to candy-topped creations and classic mulled wine, read on to find out where to drink in Hong Kong this month.

Read more: The Best Mulled Wine Recipes For The Holidays

It would be rude not to indulge in some mulled wine at Christmas time, which is exactly why Little Birdy has put it on the menu. Swing by this Sheung Wan local and treat yourself to a glass or two of our favourite tipple. Team it with one of the restaurant’s succulent chicken dishes and you’ll be in for a very merry night (especially with a variety of games also on offer).

Little Birdy, G/F, 16-17 New Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.littlebirdy.com.hk

If you’re after a real winter warmer, then make your way to CÉ LA VI’s rooftop bar for their very own CÉ LA VI Toddy ($148). Available until the end of the month, this yuletide tipple (which is made with Black Label whiskey, spiced syrup and lemon juice) is sure to add a little festive cheer to the chilly winter evenings that are set to come.

CÉ LA VI, 25/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.hk.celavi.com

If you haven’t yet visited the latest Ashley Sutton creation, Dragonfly, then this new festive cocktail is the perfect excuse to head over to Tai Kwun. Consisting of coconut rum, bourbon, sweet coconut cream, vanilla and star anise (topped off with crushed hazelnuts and grated nutmeg) the playfully named Dragonfly Egg(nog) ($130), will be available from 17 December.

Dragonfly, Shop 10 – G1, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.diningconcepts.com/restaurants/Dragonfly

Offering up not one, but two seasonal tipples, Foxglove’s sophisticated setting is the ideal place to hide away (with a drink in hand) this season. Its White Christmas cocktail ($130) is made from apple brandy, shiraz, dark cacao, vanilla cream and topped with a dark chocolate nest. Or if you’re after a seasonally spiced creation and have a penchant for whiskey, then the Johnnie Jingle is for you ($130). It contains Johnnie Walker Black Label, Frangelico, coconut milk, house-made spice syrup and butterscotch caramel (as well as a desiccated coconut rim), making it just the thing to sip on if you’re attending the bar’s Winter Cinema this month.

Foxglove, 2/F Printing House, 6 Duddell Street/18 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/foxglovehk

As one of our favourite places to enjoy a drink in the city, we were more than happy to hear “The Beer Bay” is serving up mulled wine again this season. At $99 for a pint-sized serving (or $55 for a small), it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a casual evening harbourside, taking in the Christmas lights. We’ve also heard the bar will be serving up warming hot toddies too.

Sassy tip: Ask for your tipple in your own insulated drinks container to save on plastic and also keep your mulled wine toasty!

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

Another Hong Kong favourite that is pulling out all the stops with two different cocktails this Christmas is Mrs. Pound. The Sheung Wan speakeasy-style restaurant is serving up A Date in the Snow ($130), made from Fair Quinoa Vodka, Hua Diao rice wine, elderflower liqueur and red date tea. Or if you don’t fancy a hot drink, try Christmas with Suzie Wong ($130), which guarantees a spicy kick with its blend of Bacardi Ocho, coffee bean infused Mancino Rosso, black walnut bitters, cinnamon syrup and Thai red chilli.

Mrs. Pound, 6 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/MrsPoundHK

Have you been naughty or nice this year? Well, at Burger Circus it doesn’t matter as the retro burger resto is serving up its naughty or nice shakes throughout the month of December. Made with house-churned gelato, and spiked with a cheeky shot, they’re sure to satisfy the kid in you.

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

The seasonal cocktails at Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour are most definitely on our wish list this year. Available all month long, diners can opt for The Snowman ($160) which is made with vodka, Monin vanilla, cream and Frangelico, and garnished with grated 85% dark chocolate; or the Christmas Club ($160) consisting of Applewood gin, mulled wine syrup, vanilla syrup, lemon juice, egg white and topped with Christmas candy.

Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/DrFernsHK

These Christmas creations aren’t exactly cocktails, but the holiday shakes at Shake Shack are too good not to include. With three seasonal flavours available, go for the Christmas Cookie Shake, Peppermint Shake or Hazelnut Shake, and thank us later. Known to serve up one of the very best milkshakes in the city, it’s no surprise that these creations are devilishly good. Thick, creamy and oh-so-indulgent, we loved the hazelnut shake (blended with the Shack’s own homemade vanilla and frozen chocolate custard and hazelnut spread).

Shake Shack, Shop 105A, L1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Shake Shack, 4018, IFC, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, Hong Kong
www.shakeshack.com.hk

Old Bailey’s happy hour (which runs daily and includes two-for-one-drinks!) combined with its new festive drinks menu has definitely made this venue one of our top places to indulge this month. If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit, go for the Holiday French 75 ($100) which is a light, floral champagne and crushed hibiscus concoction with a dash of gold dust; or the Old Bailey White Christmas ($100) – a creamy, sweet vodka creation topped with crushed almonds.

Old Bailey, Shop 15-G/F, Tai Kwun, 100 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.oldbailey.hk

If you’re out and about in SoHo this festive season, make sure to pop into Aberdeen Street Social to try one of its Christmas creations. With a line up of four new tipples on offer, you may find yourself staying for more than “just one”. We love the sound of the warming Winter Sangria ($98), made with sweet red wine and fruits, and the coconut-infused White Xmas Mojito ($100). If you’re after a more traditional offering, the SoHo spot is also serving up classic Mulled Wine ($60), with cognac, orange, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and anise, along with a bourbon-spiked Eggnog ($90), and a Hot Butter Rum with brown sugar and cinnamon ($90).

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