Cover Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone brings Hong Kong cocktail craft to the Oscars Governors Ball, the official after-party of the Academy Awards.
Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone brings Hong Kong cocktail craft to the Oscars Governors Ball, the official after-party of the Academy Awards.
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The Hong Kong bartender is taking his craft to Hollywood, creating two cocktails for the Oscars’ official after-party
When the final Oscar is handed out, the real celebration begins. Behind closed doors at the Governors Ball, the Academy’s official after-party, Hollywood’s biggest names gather for dinner, champagne and, crucially, very good cocktails.
This year, a familiar name from Hong Kong is joining the bar programme at the Oscars. Lorenzo Antinori, co-founder of Bar Leone, has been enlisted by Tequila Don Julio to create two cocktails for the evening alongside globally acclaimed American mixologist Charles Joly.
For Antinori, it’s a fitting cameo. Since opening in Central, Bar Leone has rapidly become one of the most talked-about bars in the world, celebrated for its confident take on classic cocktail culture and a warm, convivial approach that feels equal parts Roman bar and Hong Kong neighbourhood hangout.
Above Golden Cut Margarita is made with Tequila Don Julio Reposado
Above Best in Show is based on Tequila Don Julio Blanco
Golden Cut Margarita is made with Tequila Don Julio Reposado
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For Hollywood’s biggest night, Antinori is presenting two drinks designed for celebration. The first, Best in Show, is a bright, easygoing highball built with Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Italian aperitif and cucumber, a crisp, aromatic and refreshing enough to keep the party moving.
The second, Golden Cut Margarita, takes the classic in a more intriguing direction. Tequila Don Julio Reposado is blended with a masa-infused gin, giving the drink a savoury, toasted depth that balances citrus with the warm character of agave.
Above The Sequel is mixed with Tequila Don Julio 1942
Above Maestro Martini is made with Tequila Don Julio 70
The Sequel is mixed with Tequila Don Julio 1942
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They’ll appear alongside two cocktails from Joly: the Maestro Martini, made with Tequila Don Julio 70 Cristalino, and The Sequel, a decadent coffee-inspired serve starring Tequila Don Julio 1942.
Of course, serving cocktails at Hollywood’s most exclusive after-party is not quite the same as a busy Friday night behind the bar. In the days leading up to the Oscars, Antinori, Joly and their team prepare thousands of ingredients to ensure every drink lands exactly as intended.
Above Lorenzo Antinori of Hong Kong’s Bar Leone prepares to take his cocktails to Hollywood’s biggest night at the Oscars Governors Ball (Photo: Instagram/@lorenzoantinori_)
Lorenzo Antinori of Hong Kong’s Bar Leone prepares to take his cocktails to Hollywood’s biggest night at the Oscars Governors Ball (Photo: Instagram/@lorenzoantinori_)
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For Antinori, it’s also a moment that quietly underscores Hong Kong’s place on the global cocktail map. From a bustling bar in Central to the Oscars’ most glamorous after-party, it’s proof that great drinks travel well.
And if you’re wondering what the stars will be raising their glasses with once the cameras stop rolling, now you know.
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A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over a decade in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
