Did you know that tea comes from the camellia plant? I didn’t … until I visited Tell Camellia, a delightful new tea-inspired cocktail bar inside the H Code building in Central.
The bar was founded by Sandeep Hathiramani and Gagan Gurung, two Hong Kong bar industry veterans, who conceptualised this hidden gem where guests are invited to explore the world’s most exciting tea cultures through cocktails. Sounds fun? I thought so!
Though I’m usually a one-drink-per-night kind of gal (read: lightweight), I was lucky enough to attend this cocktail tasting, which meant I sampled all the teatails as well as one non-alcoholic T&Tonic.
The design
The bar is a beautiful zenish little hideaway that’s perfect for dates, one-on-one hangs or small groups.
The teatails
Each of the teatails ($95 each) is named after the origin of the tea blend used. It’s hard to choose a favourite, but if I had to, I’d choose the Australia. It looks like a standard old-fashioned but is anything but – with a Yalangi Rain tea and whisky base plus blue cheese, strawberry and Tim Tam flavours. Delicious.
For those who enjoy bold and unusual flavours, give the Japan a try. This is not your average matcha-based cocktail as there’s shochu, pumpkin seed, mint and… fermented soybean (!) in there. The fermented scent hits the nose, but the cocktail is just nicely warming.
The Sri Lanka also really impressed with its aromatic whiffs of coconut and basmati rice alongside Ceylon tea, Apé Amma wine and rye whisky.
The mocktail
There’s one non-alcoholic drink on the menu: rosemary and lime T&Tonic ($95). This was a refreshing, non-sticky and sweet yet fragrant soda. I’d order this one again.
Verdict
We’re lucky to live in a city with a vibrant cocktail scene, and Tell Camellia is adding to that reputation. Give it a try and give your taste buds something new to discover.
LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 9821 5501
This write-up is based on a complimentary media tasting provided in exchange for an honest review and no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed here represent the author’s.
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