We might not be travelling any time soon, but that doesn’t mean we can’t drink like we are with these limited-edition cocktails

International travel might still be off the table for now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go places. This spring, three of Hong Kong’s top mixologists celebrate the launch of Tanqueray No. Ten’s Tropical Citrus Heart Bitters by creating limited-edition cocktails that’ll transport you around the world. It’s like armchair travel, but replace scrolling through influencer travel-grams with delicious cocktails you can actually enjoy.

Tanqueray No. Ten Tropical Citrus Heart Bitters was created by world-class bartender Fabio La Pietra of Sub Astor in São Paulo and Diageo’s ‘cocktailian’ Lauren Mote as a gift to their peers. Inspired by La Pietra’s adopted home and ingredients from the Amazon rainforest, the tropical bitters exude the flavours and soul of Brazil – bright, floral, herbaceous, with a zesty flavour profile that includes grapefruit, lime leaf and orange. Needless to say, the bitters also work beautifully with the aromatic botanicals of Tanqueray No. Ten gin.

Hit up the following bars this March and April to see how these three mixologists have experimented with the bitters to present an array of refreshing cocktails.

Gishiki Lounge

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This Tai Kwun bar is inspired by Japan’s classical noh theatre, so naturally, their contemporary cocktails all have a Japanese flourish to them. This is where you’ll find Billy Lau whipping up Waka Onna, a nod to the noh mask that represents a young energetic woman in the traditional dance-drama art form and “a salute to the young, exciting Tanqueray bitters”.

Gishiki Lounge, Shop 01-LG103, LG1/F, Block 1, Tai Kwun, Block 1, Tai Kwun Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

MO Bar

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Kervin Unido also takes us to Japan with his T-quencher, which features shiso leaf and flower; the captivating herb was specially chosen to emphasise the flavour of Tanqueray No. Ten gin. Pink grapefruit and fresh lemon juice take your tastebuds on a trip to the tropics along with, of course, a dash of the bitters to deepen the flavours. The cocktail is available at MO Bar.

MO Bar, G/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Quinary

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Antonio Lai takes a slightly different turn with Wild Spirit, Gold Heart, a hot concoction that’ll keep you warm as the mercury drops. Featuring herbal, spicy aromas, hot genmai and a lovely sweet note thanks to Miyazaki kumquats, the drink is rounded out with a few drops of bitters and a hint of applewood smoke. The drink is inexplicably presented in a golden camel vessel, but this cocktail ‘hug’ has us thinking of our favourite Japanese ski lodge. Act fast as this cocktail will only be available until 31 March, 2021.

Quinary, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

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