the mixer
Cocktails can be as simple or complicated as you like. At Prive, an exclusive new club in the space formerly occupied by Edge in Central, they prefer the latter.
Signature mixes at this swish hangout for the urban elite take time and effort. Fresh fruit is key to the drinks, muddled with a sometimes unlikely combination of liquors and mixers.
The multicoloured Queen of Hearts - which is triple-layered: a chopped fruit base, an amber cocktail mix in the middle and a red wine top - sounds like a version of sangria but tastes very different. The wine - in this case a Californian cabernet sauvignon, merlot blend - isn't mixed into the drink. Imbibe the cocktail through a straw and the wine hits the tongue at the end, counterbalancing the sweeter flavours.
The Sweetest Thing, meanwhile, is just what it promises: a sugary mix of fruits, vodka and Cointreau.
Prive has established itself as a private club. Members pay a HK$15,000 annual fee, which is reimbursed through drinks, and can book tables for up to three guests at a time.
Non-members can enter at non-peak hours and at the discretion of door staff.
If you can get in, try the signature cocktails (HK$95) at Prive, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2810 8199.
Queen of Hearts (left)
1 shot Grey Goose vodka
1/2 shot Framboise (raspberry liqueur)
1/2 shot peach liqueur
2 shots orange juice
1 shot mixed berry juice
1/2 shot orange curacao
2 slices of lime
2 slices of orange
2 slices of cucumber
Two glace cherries
2 shots red wine
Cut thick slices of lime, orange and cucumber then dice into small cubes along with the glace cherries. Put in the bottom of a tall straight glass and top with crushed ice (if you don't have an ice crusher, you can crush it yourself by using a rolling pin on a sealed plastic bag half filled with ice cubes). Shake the rest of the ingredients, except the wine, in a shaker and pour over the ice. Top with red wine and serve with a straw.
Sweetest Thing (right)
1 shot Belvedere vodka
1/2 shot lychee liqueur
1/2 shot Cointreau
1/4 shot cranberry juice
Dash of grapefruit juice
Dash of mango puree
2 lime wedges
2 lychees
Peel and pit the lychees and muddle with two lime wedges. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake well over ice. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of apple.
