Pushing the boundaries and redefining the cocktail experience, Draft Land is the latest gem to grace the city’s bar scene with a fuss-free “cocktails on tap” concept.
First opened in Taipei last year, Taiwanese drink maestro Angus Zou has partnered up with Hong Kong’s most celebrated mixologist, Antonio Lai to bring a second outlet to the 852.
Replacing bartenders with engineering and focusing on serving seasonal pre-batch-only and garnish-free cocktails on tap, guests at Draft Land can experience a simple, no-frills experience from the outset. With minimal furnishings and decor, the menu placed directly behind the bar is the focus of attention.
Begin your experience by selecting a tasty tipple from the menu of seasonal beers, mocktails and draft cocktails, which get stronger as you move from the left side of the menu to the right. Further endorsing the fuss-free theme, the menu lists the essentials only and includes the name, price, ingredients and a star rating representing the strength of the alcohol content. With over 24 beverages on tap at one time, it would be easy for even the most experienced cocktail connoisseur to feel a little overwhelmed. Luckily, the bar concept allows guests to sample different flavours before picking your favourite.
Light and refreshing, the Fancy Gin Collins ($90) is made with gin, vodka and sherry with a subtle infusion of oolong and jasmine. This is the perfect recipe for a hot and humid day in Hong Kong. A signature favourite not to be missed however is the Soju Martini ($120), seamlessly blending the flavours of soju, sherry and pandan to create a smooth and silky drink.
Spirit-free options include the Hibiscus Fizz ($70) with honey, hibiscus, pineapple and soda and Ginger Lemonade ($70) made with ginger, lime and soda, both of which offer an equally satisfying taste.
Feeling peckish? At Draft Land, guests can also enjoy an offering of street-style snacks including delicious and easy-to-eat Mini Corn Dogs ($70), Char-Siu Pork Neck ($100) and even Takoyaki Fish Balls ($60), which are without a doubt, a firm favourite. Vegetarians needn’t feel left out though, as the menu also offers a Veget-a-Bowl (HK$60) featuring okra, Thai eggplant, pickled onion and crispy potato sprinkles as well as Parmesan Tornado Fries (HK$60) with a choice of Masala Spice or Seaweed Togarashi flavours.
Verdict:
Offering high-quality and affordable speciality cocktails with an easy, convenient and comfortable experience, Draft Land is truly paving way for a fuss-free bar experience. With over 40 different cocktails available on a rotational basis, we will certainly be back for more.
Draft Land, 63 Wyndham Street, Central
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Hira is a British freelance lifestyle, food & travel writer currently living her best life in Hong Kong and blogging about her experiences here
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