Experience Hong Kong’s Five Indigenous Cultures Through This Unique Cocktail Menu

4 minute read
Kinsman Photo by Tatum Ancheta

Hong Kong is one of the best places in Asia to experience a variety of bar scenes. You’ll find everything from hidden bars reminiscent of the Prohibition era to spirit-centric bars specializing in gin, rum, and whisky, as well as rooftop bars with stunning views and themed bars that transport you to another world. But if you want to learn more about Hong Kong through its drinks, visit Kinsman, the city’s premier bar dedicated to Cantonese culture.

Watch the video below for a sneak peek:

Celebrating its first anniversary this January, Kinsman was founded by journalist Gavin Yeung and the hospitality group Singular Concepts, renowned for their popular venues such as The Daily Tot, Trilogy, Tell Camellia, Barkada, and more.

Kinsman I Photo by Star Sabroso
Kinsman I Photo by Star Sabroso

Related stories: Check out Gavin Yeung’s special cocktail recipe from our holiday cocktail series

The bar showcases Cantonese spirits and local traditions, offering an immersive experience through meticulously curated decor and music that evokes scenes from a Wong Kar Wai film. Here, you can find local spirits and wines like Mui Kwe Lu rosé liqueur, snake wine, and baijiu that are not often used in the city’s modern bars.

Building on the success of its debut menu, ‘A Tale of Cantonese Spirits,’ which introduced the world of indigenous spirits, Kinsman has now launched a second series titled ‘A Tale of Hongkongers.’ This new menu explores the history and traditions of the Cantonese, Hakka, Chiuchow, Hoklo, and Tanka cultures—indigenous communities and tribes that helped shape Hong Kong into the bustling metropolis we know today—offering customers a genuine taste of the city’s roots.

Kinsman I Photo by Star Sabroso

The new menu features ten signature cocktails. Under Cantonese influence, you can start with the Gulu Fizz (HK$120), reminiscent of a French 75—a spritz, vegetal concoction inspired by the cha chaan teng staple, Sweet and Sour Pork (Gu Lou Yuhk). This drink includes monk fruit wine, rice shochu, and Prosecco, with flavors of bell pepper, herbs, and tomato. For the Hakka-inspired drinks, one of the signatures is Ode to Moiyan (HK$120), a sour-style cocktail inspired by pork knuckles braised in red fermented beancurd. This drink combines red beancurd shrub, Ming River baijiu, Aperol, and Mui Kwe Lu rosé liqueur. 

Kinsman Gulu Fizz I Photo by Star Sabroso
Gulu Fizz I Photo by Star Sabroso

Fans of Irish Coffee will love the Afternoon in Swatow (HK$150), inspired by Chiu Chow-style beef soup noodles. This unique savory concoction blends peated Talisker 10 whisky, fat-washed with Chiuchow beef stock, and is enhanced with artisanal coffee from the nearby Sang Roastery. Another must-try Chiuchow-inspired drink is the Chiuchow Children (HK$130), which features flavors of beef and shacha (Cantonese peanut sauce) dipping sauce used in Chaosan hot pot.

Kinsman I Photo by Star Sabroso
Chiuchow Children I Photo by Star Sabroso
Kinsman I Photo by Star Sabroso
Afternoon in Swatow I Photo by Star Sabroso

From the Tanka series, inspired by Hong Kong’s boat dwellers or ‘sea gypsies,’ one of our favorites is the Gibson-style milk punch, Bocca Tigris, featuring smoked tea flavors that are sour, nutty, and saline.

Kinsman I Photo by Star Sabroso
Bocca Tigris I Photo by Star Sabroso

Among the Hoklo-inspired cocktails, which showcase the flavors and traditions of the Hoklo people—also known as Hokkien—who settled in areas from Kwun Tong and Cheng Chau to Pok Fu Lam, the crowd favorite is the taro and purple sweet potato cocktail, Orh Nee (HK$120). This creamy drink features a sweet potato foam with a pleasantly sour and pungent finish.

Kinsman I Photo by Star Sabroso
Orh Nee I Photo by Star Sabroso

In addition to new drinks, Kinsman has also added new bites to their menu. Must-tries include the irresistible Typhoon Shelter Fries, infused with numbing Sichuan flavors and made with thick-cut fries, as well as the deconstructed Mapo Tofu open-faced sandwich, which features a slab of fried tofu accompanied by minced pork in mapo tofu sauce, burdock chips, and pickled vegetables. 

Kinsman
Mapo Tofu open-faced sandwich and Typhoon Shelter Fries I Photo by Tatum Ancheta

Kinsman is located at 65 Peel St, Central, and is open from Monday to Saturday, 6pm to 1am (until 2am on weekends). Catch their happy hour (HK$80 on drinks and selected bar snacks from HK$50) between 6pm to 7.30pm, from Monday to Thursday. Follow @kinsman.hk @kinsman.hk on Instagram to get updates from the bar. 

Follow DrinkCollectiv on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more drink news and all the latest sips and tips!

Share this

  • Tatum Ancheta

    Tatum Ancheta is the former editor-in-chief of Time Out Hong Kong and the lifestyle editor of Manila Standard. She has also served as the creative director of PeopleAsia magazine and held the position of executive creative director at FCB Manila. She founded DrinkManila in 2016 and returned in 2024 to guide its editorial vision during its rebranding as DrinkCollectiv.com. Beyond her editorial work, Tatum has hosted talks and workshops for alcohol brands, as well as judged numerous prestigious bartending competitions.

    View all posts
Half Page Side Bar 400x400

Stay ahead of the sip!

Sign up for the latest drink news, fresh recipes,
and exclusive invites to events!

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Follow us

Related Posts

Right Page Side Bar 400x700