One of Hong Kong’s top cocktail bars, DarkSide has debuted a cocktail menu celebrating its Kowloon location, also serving as the inspiration for the moody hotel bar’s moniker.
The development of the Kowloon-inspired menu – Timeless Tales: Flavours of Kowloon’s Legacy – was the first port of call for Rosewood Hong Kong’s newly appointed director of bars, Bob Louison. Prior to joining the Tsim Sha Tsui hotel, Bob oversaw the beverage programmes at Rosewood Phnom Penh and Rosewood Le Guanahani in Saint Barthélemy.
The eight new drinks (HKD180 each) on the menu delve deep into the rich history of Kowloon, each zeroing in on an iconic site. There’s Bruce Lee, inspired by the statue dedicated to the legendary martial artist located in the heart of Kowloon, a potent mix of cocoa-butter-infused Grey Goose vodka, shochu, and milk-washed Plantation dark rum.
The labyrinth of alleyways that once made up Kowloon’s Walled City enclave are honoured in The Walled City, where char siu fat-washed bourbon, five-spice honey syrup, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce meet in a complex umami tipple.
Those in search of fruity and refreshing flavours can check out Kai Tak, named after the former Kai Tak Airport, infamous for its mind-blowing landing approach over Victoria Harbour. This drink blends N.I.P gin, lychee, grape cordial, and clarified watermelon juice.
DarkSide, 2/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Shs Tsui, 3891 8732
