Tatler+
Inspired by the Hollywood Hills, Mojave Desert and Baja Coast, beverage director Benjamin Boyce’s 13 new creations turn a West Coast road trip into a cocktail experience in Hong Kong
Southern California has a particular kind of glamour. Think backyard parties in the Hollywood Hills, long afternoons by the pool and the sun setting over the Pacific. At Swim Club, the rooftop bar on the 50th floor of Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong, that easygoing spirit inspires Vertical Echo, a new cocktail menu that takes guests on a journey through the American West Coast, one glass at a time.
Created by newly appointed beverage director Benjamin Boyce, the collection features 13 cocktails that trace a route from the Hollywood Hills through the heat of the Mojave Desert and down to the Baja Coast, then return to the rooftop pool for the afterparty. Boyce describes Swim Club as a sun-drenched sanctuary, and the menu is his interpretation of that setting: a collection built around carefree summer memories, with a few unexpected combinations along the way.

Above Created by newly appointed beverage director Benjamin Boyce, the collection features 13 cocktails (Photo: Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong)
Take Vine & Vine, which combines basil-infused tomato water and champagne vinegar with a choice of gin or vodka. A spoonful of caviar completes the serve, bringing savoury umami to an otherwise delicate, acidic profile. It is an unconventional combination, but one that gives the cocktail its own point of view. Opuntia takes a different direction, pairing gin with prickly pear cordial. Named after the desert cactus, it draws from the landscape of California’s arid interior and its distinctive produce.
The coastal influences are equally apparent. San Rosarito reworks the classic daiquiri with coconut, white chocolate and lime, giving it a tropical richness. The Mission, meanwhile, is a gimlet-style cocktail layered with almond, fortified wine and citrus. Its name references the Spanish missionary heritage of California and Baja, alongside the region’s traditions of almond cultivation and winemaking.
Other creations also have their own stories to tell. Campfire takes inspiration from Joshua Tree National Park, translating the idea into a marshmallow milk punch. O.C. Paloma looks to Orange County’s coastal glamour, combining grapefruit, pomegranate and basil, with Mexican worm salt adding a savoury contrast. Cali Sour rounds out the selection with passionfruit, vanilla and pineapple for a playful rendition of the classic sour.
Not every guest will be in the mood for alcohol, and selected cocktails can be made as mocktails. With panoramic harbour views and a poolside setting, Swim Club provides a fitting backdrop for the collection. Vertical Echo works as a small dose of West Coast escapism, a drinks list built for one slow pour at a time.
Curated for you
The stories, profiles, and cultural moments featured on our Instagram feed

















