Welcome to the Kong, the concrete-jungle-NYC of Asia, where every time a Taxi driver cusses, a cocktail is being served; every time an investment banker sneezes, a new bar is launched. Competition is stiff, and so explains the drinks, and the bells and whistles and honks that come with it.

Shaking things up just a week ago, is the launch of The Envoy, who had me at ->

… which, really, is all it takes to have me reply: “YES”

Big shout-out to the very professional staff, a very knowledgeable crew, some amazing bites (which include a truffle-deep-fried-something – ALWAYS a great idea), and most of all, a giant honk of the gong to its cocktail menu.

From concept to execution, recipe right down to presentation, shaker to the taker, (you get my drift) – it’s flawless. Whether it is wrapping a little leaf around the stem of a glass, half-peel a fruit, or peg a hand-written scroll to a straw, the part of you suffering from (or should I say blessed with) OCD, would be pleased.

Special mention goes to this cocktail that led me to think I was capable of love again.

Dewdrops of the Heart

Name: Dewdrops of the Heart (I know. A bit squee for me too, but read on, and drink on.)

The Envoy explains: “In “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens, he muses, “Are tears the dewdrops of the heart?” Our imagination brings us to a morning field of green blades, with pearls of dew clinging onto the tips, sparkling in the light. My, what a refreshing sight!”

Vodka, Green Tea & Jasmine Double-Strength Tea, Homemade Pandan Syrup, Perlini Shaker

Pandan, I must say, is a beautiful, fragrant touch. For some time now, I’ve been trying to put my finger on the next cocktail catalyst. The forerunner so far is “elderflower” but if we find a way to make the pronunciation of a word like “pandan” a bit more sophisticated, we might just have a winner. Well, in any case, you read it here first.

The Envoy, launched May, 2014, is located at 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central District, Hong Kong