Chivas Regal cocktails with the "Chivas Global Master" at Aberdeen St Social

We've attended more than our fair share of Pernod Ricard and Chivas events over the years and they've always been enjoyable and held in well-suited venues. Tonight was no different, as Pernod Ricard HK (with their very new PR Partner Stir Public Relations) launched a range of new Chivas cocktails at Aberdeen St Social, in PMQ.

Pernod had brought in Josh Reynolds of London's Hawskmoor Spitalfields bar, who earlier this year was crowned Chivas' "Global Master" in the cocktail competition final held at Tales of the Cocktail. The event was to introduce us to the range of new Chivas cocktails which were designed to reflect the "flavours of Hong Kong".

After a brief chat with Josh, Chivas' global brand ambassador Max Warner introduced the night before both Josh and local bartender Tunny Alexander Grattidge briefly talked us through their cocktails.

Josh explained that his two cocktails (which he came up with in 3 hours) reflected his views of Hong Kong, but in very different ways. The first - Live Longan Prosper, a mix of Chivas 12, Longan Nam and Chocolate bitters, was based around the flavours of Hong Kong. The latter, #IKnowThatFace (also Chivas 12 based) was a tribute to an earlier mentor, who lived a frenetic/crazy life, much like how Josh sees Hong Kong life. 

Both were very enjoyable cocktails - with the Live Longan Prosper not dissimilar to a richer Old Fashioned, and the #IKnowThatFace being a rich, slightly bitter short cocktail with a lot of berry notes (my favourite of the night).

Tunny was up next, presenting his two cocktails - the Papaya Don't Preach (we love these names!), a mix of Chivas 12, Aperol, Fresh Papaya and Chilli Purée, Jasmine Tea and Orange Bitters and the Mile High Tea, combining Chivas, Chamomile Tea, Homemade Almond and Manuka Honey Orgeat, Fresh Lemon and Abelha Organic Cachaça.

The former was a tall, fresh take on a whisky cocktail (great for HK's climate), with a nice little chilli kick (also great for the cooler months), and the latter was like enjoying a strong boozy HK milk tea. Both delicious. We were also excited to learn that Tunny plans to open an Australian-style café/bar in a few weeks in Sai Ying Pun, just a few blocks from where we live!

The cocktails (along with two more Chivas creations by new bar manager Audrey) were all unique, individual and of a very high quality, and are all currently available for $100HKD at the bar. We're told that Josh's cocktails are also available Hawskmoor Spitalfields in London, should you be one of our UK-based readers feeling thirsty after this write-up!

Cheers,
Steph & Martin.