[ruby_title]Imelda Ng, Blue Bar at Four Seasons[/ruby_title]
Winner of the Best Gin & Tonic in Hong Kong
Imelda joined the Four Seasons Hong Kong in 2015 as a server at Blue Bar, after completing her studies in fashion design. As an aspiring designer and a passionate cook, she channels her creativity into crafting cocktails to great success. In 2015, she won the Tag No5 vodka competition with the Som O, inspired by her favourite Thai pomelo salad. Then in 2017, she won the Diplomatico World Tournament in Hong Kong and was shortlisted in Asia’s Top 10, before picking up this honour of Best Gin & Tonic in Hong Kong. Her efforts have since been recognised by the hotel, and Imelda now holds the position of head bartender at the hotel’s Caprice Bar. She’s responsible for the cocktail menu design and customising cocktails for guests.
Cocktail
Ferien (click here for the recipe)
Imelda joined Gin Jubilee because she wanted to represent the women of the Hong Kong bar industry. Ferien, German for holiday, was so named as she wanted guests to feel relaxed after having a few of her cocktails. Monkey 47 gives it a refreshing taste, the mulled spice tea-infused vermouth – made with orange, lemon, juniper berries, cinnamon and cloves – exudes a festive scent, and caramel and East Imperial Burma Tonic also adds warmth to the cocktail.
Why she won
“Hong Kong is a bustling and fast-paced city and I think many people liked finding an escape in a cocktail like Ferien. There was a guest who ordered my drink – he didn’t react too much to it and was extremely quiet, so I was concerned he didn’t like my drink. But right after, he ordered a second one. I felt relieved. I think my cocktail serves its purpose, to help guests rejuvenate and disconnect from work.”
