Where to drink in Hong Kong this July

Galician-style steakhouse Rubia is stirring up new cocktails for their menu and beefing up their two-for-one happy hour with a special Spanish (Lola & Vera, Nordes, Gin Mare, Le Tribute, and Santamania) and Hong Kong gin (Bauhinia, Perfume Tree, and Two Moons) selection paired with complementing tonics and locally sourced garnishes ($110 per order). Beat the summer heat with the tropical flavours of their two new concoctions Longan Potion ($95), made with longan infused vodka and fresh lime juice, and Manzana Acida ($110), a mix of Lola & Vera gin, Quenza Licor de Hierbas, Estrella cordial, and apple syrup.

Wine, dine and enjoy great views of the city at the newly opened Causeway Bay Chinese restaurant Moon Yue, located on the 28th floor of the Cubus complex. They're currently offering a Champagne celebration dinner; order anything from the a la carte menu with an add-on option of four hours of free-flowing Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne for $288 per person from 6pm to 10pm, on special offer until August 31.

LPM Restaurant & Bar is now offering its seasonal cocktail menu to kickstart the summer season. LPM bar manager Benjamin Boyce recreated five classic cocktail twists using Mediterranean spirits, housemade cordials, and fresh garnishes. Sip on the bar's healthy take on a Bloody Mary, Cap Ferrat ($120), using a strong vodka base, a blend of green herbs, green tomatoes, Asian citrus, and spices, or try Camargues ($120), a twist on the classic Old Cuban cocktail using rum and Champagne cordial.

Popular garden rooftop bar, Red Sugar, releases their new cocktail menu, Our Little Time, inspired by the eight most significant Hong Kong industries from the 60s to the 80s. The list comprises eleven fun-serve cocktails created by mixologist Simon Kong. Each cocktail is presented in a creative serve that satiates not only your thirst but also your Instagram feed with its elaborate picture-worthy presentation and garnishes. Our favourite on the menu is A Golden Age, a reinterpreted version of the classic Bee's Knees using Sichuan green pepper-infused gin, lychee liqueur, tomato water, lemon juice, honey, topped with dried squid shreds, which doubles as a great snack while sipping on the citrus-spicy concoction.

Zuma introduces two new seasonal tequila cocktails in their drink menu for the summer. Beat the summer heat with a glass of Bajiru Smash ($155), made with reposado tequila, agave, cucumber, lemongrass, lime, yuzu, and a thick sprig of fresh basil, or sip on the fruity Shāpu ($145) made with blanco tequila, longan sake, lime and yuzu, watermelon, and shichimi umeshu. On July 16, catch the special bar shift of award-winning mixologist and co-owner of Coa, Jay Khan, as he brings his agave-based concoction to Zuma for one-night-only.  

Sichuan restaurant Chilli Fagara spices things up on their cocktail menu with an addition of two chilli but refreshing cocktails for the summer. Savour the tongue-numbing mala flavoured drink called Peppercorn Angel made with gin, coriander leaves, lime juice, and Sichuan peppercorn housemade syrup, or the Spicy Lycheemade with vodka, lychee liqueur, fresh lime juice, and red hot chillies. Both cocktails are priced at $88 per glass. Enjoy this concoction and pair it with Chilli Fagara's Sichuan dishes.