The Daily Tot is reprising past favourites and debuting new merry tipples. This year’s selections include Tot’s Rum Mulled Wine (HK$90) and the Irish Rum cocktail (HK$120).

The former brings back the winning combination of Sangiovese red wine, Plantation dark rum, orange juice, vanilla extract and spices, while the latter pairs Flor De Cana 7 years with Mr Black coffee liqueur, pure coffee, demerara sugar and cream.

2. Tell Camellia

Tucked away in Soho, the tea-inspired roost reprises its variation of a festive boozy coffee with the Not Irish Coffee But Tea (HK$120) that combines hojicha, whisky, sesame and cream.

3. Bianco & Rosso

4. Zzura

Elsewhere in Soho, shisha and cocktail powerhouse Zzura promises guests a decadent spice-laden libation in the Milky Way (HK$120), featuring Plantation pineapple rum infused with Middle Eastern spices, combined with bourbon cream, pear and nutmeg dust.

“This year, we wanted to bring Zzura’s own Middle Eastern flavour to Christmas by infusing spirits such as Plantation pineapple rum with spices, while presenting it in a creamy cocktail,” says Zzura’s Gagan Gurung.

5. DarkSide

If you’re looking for holiday libations on the other side of the harbour, look no further than DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong for three great options (HK$170 each). All The Way Mulled adds Rémy Martin VSOP and Visciolata to the wine and spices, while Tom & Jerry is a loose take on eggnog, combining five-year Plantation rum with Remy Martin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and other warming spices.

Last but not least, the comparatively spirit-forward Wine Base also uses cognac, in addition to white wine, bianco vermouth, bitters and cloves to really get your night going.

6. The Diplomat

Hong Kong’s mixologists, however, look not to squander the lessons learned from Covid-19, offering bottled cocktails and workshops for those who wish to enjoy world-class mixology from the comfort of their home.

The team at Diplomat at H Code has Christmas homebodies sorted with their Aged Eggnog, containing bourbon, amontillado sherry, rum, egg, cream and sugar.

“But by letting all the spirits rest within cream, sugar and egg, everything mellows and creates a more symbiotic, delicious experience,” explains John Nugent, founder of Diplomat.

The concoction is available in bottles of 400ml (HK$600) and 700ml (HK$800) for pre-order until December 22 and pickup until Christmas Eve, just in time to be shared with friends and family. Those who are curious if the cocktail will be served by the glass at Diplomat throughout the Christmas weekend should keep tabs on the bar’s socials.

7. Glass Gardener

For the more hands-on drinkers, nomadic mixology and beverage catering brand Glass Gardener is offering the Spiced Mule (Gardener’s spiced whisky, apple and strawberry jam, lime and ginger beer) and Gardener Bramble (Earl Grey and lemon gin, lemon, raspberry, local wild honey and rosemary) as part of its Christmas Cocktail Workshop Package.

Tony Hsu and Henry Kuen Ho (formerly of 001 and The Poet) bring their combined classically rooted mixology experience of almost two decades to your choice of venue, catering to between two and 20 people. Packages are priced at HK$580 per person.

The workshop promises attendees the basics of cocktail making, plus advanced techniques, flavour balancing, equipment handling and more, using pre-prepared local ingredients for a holistic home mixology experience.

“After three years of Covid-19 restrictions, we are happy to see the F&B industry coming back, and we are looking forward to the holiday season,” says Hsu. “Participants will not only enjoy delicious cocktails as part of the festivities, but also get to learn how to make them and have a good time with friends to enjoy a unique experience.”