Argo, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, launches flavourful ‘Combinations’ bar menu

ARGO Bar Combinations cocktails launch: the acclaimed bar at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, stands as a beacon of cocktail innovation and artistry. Ranked #9 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, its accolades reflects the team’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Following the success of its ARGO Forestry menu, which highlighted six special ingredients from Hong Kong’s rich environment, the Argo team, led by Four Seasons Beverage Manager Federico Balzarini, is following up with ‘Combinations’ – a new creative menu that showcases a dynamic exploration of artfully blended single ingredients.

A desire for simplicity and accessibility influenced the creation of Argo’s new cocktail menu, which brought about a fresh perspective on the cocktail experience. “Argo embodies a friendly, playful neighbourhood hotel bar that fosters a sense of community,” explains Balzarini. “Alongside our innovative cocktails and ingredients, we want guests to feel at home and enjoy their time here, which is why we’ve crafted a menu of straightforward and approachable drinks that everyone can relate to,” he adds.

The Bergamot & Wood Gimlet cocktail

Argo bar Combinations cocktails: Rediscover familiar tastes through unique flavour explorations

The ‘Combinations’ menu showcases 12 cocktails, ranging from short to long drinks, that highlight 10 easily accessible and familiar fruits and botanicals available in Hong Kong: Pineapple, Grapefruit, Kumquat, Grapes, Corn, Cacao, Bergamot, Hops, Marigold, and Wood.

Guests can explore cocktails focusing on specific ingredients, such as Pineapple, Grapes, or Marigold, or enjoy combinations of two to four elements. “Each ingredient is utilized in various ways within the cocktails,” shares Balzarini. “For example, kumquat may be featured as fresh fruit and also as salted kumquat. Pineapples are used in multiple forms, including juice, pineapple skin, and even leaves. Wood can be represented by cinnamon or various other types of wood used in techniques such as smoking or ageing. This approach enhances the overall flavour and experience, allowing guests to discover different ways to enjoy a single ingredient,” he adds.

Argo bar Combinations cocktails signatures include:
One Element
The Pineapple Highball (HKD 175) is a refreshing, fruity, and savoury drink featuring Havana Club 7 Year Old rum, fermented pineapple honey, jasmine-infused pineapple, and pineapple tomato shrub, garnished with pink pineapple seaweed.

Two Elements
The Bergamot & Wood Gimlet (HKD 175) provides a unique sensory experience. Guests receive a bergamot and sandalwood hand cream to apply on their hands before sipping the cocktail, enhancing the overall olfactory experience and creating a harmonious interplay of scents alongside the refreshing flavours of the cocktail. Made with Grey Goose Vodka, fino sherry, sandalwood-smoked bergamot, and citrus blend, this drink – a smoked and citrus twist on the classic British-style sour cocktail – is served in a wooden vessel and accompanied by wooden balls that have been frozen overnight and infused with sandalwood essence to cool the drink.

Argo cocktail creation

For a nostalgic and playful experience, the Grapefruit & Cacao 20th Century (HKD 195) – made with Monkey 47, Ovaltine, grapefruit cordial, amaro, and Champagne – is a milk-washed twist on the gin cocktails 20th Century and French 75. It features a crunchy Ovaltine chocolate garnish that transports the palate back to childhood.

Three Elements
The Cantina Margarita (HKD 175) is a bright and hoppy twist on Tommy’s Margarita, made with Don Julio Blanco, Los Siete Misterios Mezcal, corn orgeat, and bergamot hop tincture. It is served in a glass rimmed with corn salt made from the orgeat leftovers.

Four Elements
The Dr. J Negroni (HKD 175) is a tropical twist on the classic Italian aperitif, crafted by Argo bartenders Jeff and Jack. This drink features botanicals traditionally used in various cultures for their medicinal properties. It is made with golden raisin-infused The Botanist gin, pineapple skin-infused Campari, Magnolia Lab Liqueur, mole bitters, and bergamot essence, garnished with pickled pineapple in pineapple sage.

Embracing Simplicity and Sustainability
The emphasis on simplicity represents a significant shift from the complexity of the previous Agro Forestry menu. However, innovation and sustainability remain central to Argo’s philosophy. “Focusing on a single ingredient not only demonstrates its various uses but also underlines sustainability,” Balzarini shares. “By highlighting the versatility of one key ingredient, we encourage creative applications and effective utilization of every part. This approach minimizes waste and promotes a more sustainable method of sourcing and enjoying our drinks.”

For the “Combinations” menu, in addition to minimizing waste by using every part of the ingredients, they collaborate closely with local suppliers to source key ingredients such as kombucha from Taboocha, honey from Citibrew and hops from two local breweries: Young Master Brewery and Yardley Brothers.

Cocktails and food at Argo, Hong Kong

Classic with a Twist, Bartenders Madness

In addition to the new cocktail menu, guests may continue to enjoy Argo’s signature Martini (HKD 195), available in either a citrus or savoury variation. Furthermore, there is an opportunity to indulge in cocktails from the ever-evolving “Classic with a Twist, Bartenders Madness” cocktail series, which includes ten signature renditions of classic drinks crafted by Argo’s bartenders and features new offerings each month. Prices for drinks start at HKD 165, with an additional 10 percent service charge.

Savour Cocktails Alongside Delectable Bar Bites

To complement the innovative cocktails, Argo offers delectable bar snacks designed to enhance the overall bar experience. Curated by Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong Executive Chef Maxime Luvara and Executive Pastry Chef Ringo Chan, the menu includes selections such as Takoyaki with bonito flakes, Japanese mayo, and spring onions (HKD 188), Crispy Shrimp served with Bourbon cocktail sauce and Tabasco (HKD 248), and a vegetarian Avocado Taco featuring avocado tempura, guacamole, and radish, served with tequila tomato salsa (HKD 178). Guests can also enjoy refreshed signature bites, including the Hong Kong Egg Waffle, which now comes with milk tea ice cream, pineapple chutney, and soy caramel (HKD 150).

Argo cocktail concoction

The ‘Combinations’ menu is now available at Argo, located in Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, inviting guests to enjoy a fun and playful flavour experience that highlights how a single key ingredient can shine alongside complementary elements. Cocktails start at HKD 175 each, subject to a 10 percent service charge.