TASTE OF ITALY FOR THE HOLIDAYS: MERCATO BY GIANDO OFFERS BUILD YOUR OWN HOLIDAY HAMPERS FEATURING EXCLUSIVE ITALIAN IMPORTED DELICACIES

Mercato by Giando, Hong Kong’s most authentic Italian market, offers bespoke gourmet hampers this holiday season. Customers may choose from an array of gourmet Italian offerings, exclusive in Hong Kong to Mercato. Additionally, Mercato offers seasonal delicacies such as White Truffles by the gram (HK$34/gram), imported caviar , and the ultimate indulgence:  homemade white truffle gelato. (HK$680/ .5 litre).  

Gift-givers are invited to visit Mercato, located on the ground floor of Fenwick Pier, to hand select gourmet treats sure to delight and tantilize everyone on their holiday shopping list. Mercato by Giando is a curated Italian marketplace home to Italian favorites not commonly found in Hong Kong. Some exclusive upscale offerings includingEgly Ouriet Blanc de Blanc Champagne (HK$730), Pamigiano Reggiano Vacche Rosse Riserva Gennari (50g, HK$60),  Azzato Black Truffle Oil (100ml, HK$117), Kaluga Amur Caviar (50g, HK$656), andTelfort Garda Extra Virgin Olive Oil (250ml, HK698). Those not sure what to get will be excited to receive advice from any of Mercato’s knowledgable Italian Food Experts.  The homey Italian market also offers Italian  favorites such as homemade pastas,  fresh sauces, boutique wines, charcuterie, cheeses, olive oils, chocolates, and other imports exclusively available in Hong Kong from Mercato by Giando. Holiday baskets are complimentary with items totaling over HK$500, and free delivery is also included with the minimum spend.  Those keen on the holiday hampers can also enjoy a complimentary ride from Uber with code GIAHK75.

A favorite at sister restaurant, Giando, Mercato is now offering homemade White Truffle Gelato by the half litre (HK$680). This luscious treatis a mixture of vanilla beans, rich cream, Italian eggs, honey, and of the star of the show, a generous portion of hand-grated white truffles.

Gianni Caprioli, founder of Già Trattoria and Mercato by Giando says, “ingredients have always been my passion. We know where our ingredients come from. With frequent trips to Italy, our relationships remain strong with our suppliers, so that we are able to offer our customers the same high-quality that our mothers in Italy would be proud to put on their tables and serve to our families. We are thrilled to bring these ingredients to homes in Hong Kong for the holidays.”

This holiday, gift-givers shouldn’t risk ordering pre-made hampers full of sub-par ingredients. Instead, head to Mercato by Giando and select and taste a range of high quality ingredients and create customized gifts for everyone on their list. 

#ELYXTOUR: ABSOLUT ELYX, THE WORLD’S FIRST LUXURY VODKA, TOURS HONG KONG’S TOP BARS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH CURATED LISTS OF EXCEPTIONAL COCKTAILS

Absolut Elyx now available for take-home from Watson’s Wine

Absolut Elyx, the world’s first vodka created specifically for sipping, is touring Hong Kong this holiday season with handcrafted cocktails from a selection of the city’s most prestigious bars. This exceptionally smooth vodka is now being artfully prepared at Blue Butcher, Fish and Meat, Mercedes me, Mott 32, Potato Head, Q88, Seafood Room, and Zuma. The Elyx experience is now also available for take-home from Watson’s Wine (HK458).

Absolut Elyx is the result of manual processes, authentic craftsmanship, and human supervision through every detail of production. “Only a few people have the skills and knowledge to properly operate the old copper still used in its production. Every handle, knob and lever is adjusted manually. Creating a vodka this way is very time-consuming, but when you taste Absolut Elyx, you know it’s worth the effort,” explains Gareth Evans, Absolut Elyx’s Global Brand Ambassador, who recently visited Hong Kong to host a series of Master Classes. Evans went on to explain, “flashy and ostentatious displays are becoming more and more passé in our modern society where consumers are now thirsty for authenticity and true quality.” This silky-smooth vodka is a unique combination of traditional handcraft, copper distillation and cutting-edge design. The copper naturally catalyzes trace compounds in the spirit, purifying the vodka and adding a highly prized silky texture and taste. Crafted from single-estate wheat, from seed to bottle everything is done within a 15-mile radius of the distillery in Ahus, Sweden; this ensures quality control and perfection in every detail.

When it comes to making great cocktails, it’s the same passion, expertise, craftsmanship and attention to detail that produces outstanding results every time. While the smooth nature of Absolut Elyx lends itself perfectly to sipping on the rock, or a dry martini, its subtle flavors and smoothness also play well in the finest cocktails. A selection of Hong Kong’s finest establishments now offer the refined luxury of Absolut Elyx in a series of well-crafted cocktails. Blue Butcher tantalizes guests with the Grind, an inspired take on the infamous Breakfast Martini, this cocktail offers a tangy and floral explosion with a citrusy finish; Fish and Meat offers the Pepperonchini, a beautifully simplistic cocktail composed of Absolut Elyx, Lilet Blanc, lime juice, cucumber, and jalapeño; Luxuriously designed, Mott 32, dazzles guests with Nashi, inspired by Asian flavors, with a hint of spice, this light and refreshing cocktail pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s luxe Asian fare; Hong Kong’s newest chill spot, Potato Head, refreshes guests with the Butterfly, a mix of Jasmine Tea, orange blossoms, and fresh lemon; newly revamped Q88 entices guests with the Black & Copper, a combination of Elyx, peppercorn wine reduction, and salted Lillet Blanc; guests of the ever-popular Seafood Room* will enjoy the Flamingo, made for sharing, this punch is a combination of freshly muddled strawberries, lime, and pineapple; at Mercedes me cocktail connoisseurs will delight in the Vodka Sake, a pairing of Elyx with sake, lime, and kiwi that results in a light and fruity drink that packs a punch;  ZUMA, an enduring Hong Kong favorite, offers the Equinox Bloom Martini, created by master perfumer, Olivier Cresp, this cocktail plays with the olfactory palette inspired by the delights of high tea and is a mix of Dekopon orange, Baileys and toasted bread essence. All eight cocktails are visually stunning, some being served in Absolut Elyx signature copper pineapples. The pineapple has been the international symbol of hospitality, friendship and a warm welcome for many years. Absolut Elyx has appropriated this warm symbol and emboldened it with copper, reminiscent of Elyx's distillation process, to house premium-cocktails, which offers drinkers the same warm welcome. 

While at Mott32, Evans, also advised on pairing Absolut Elyx with Chinese cuisine.  He asserted that due to the quality and texture of this single-estate vodka, it pairs uniquely well with classic dishes such as Crispy Abalone, Short Ribs, and Fried Rice. Lovers of Chinese cuisine and cocktails are encouraged to try these delicacies at Mott32, or at home after purchasing a bottle of handcrafted Absolut Elyx from Watson’s Wine.

HAVE A VERY SPIRITED HOLIDAY SEASON WITH: ABSOLUT VODKA, ABSOLUT ELYX, G.H. MUMM CHAMPAGNE, AND CHIVAS REGAL

Absolut Vodka, Absolut Elyx, G.H. Mumm Champagne, and Chivas Regal are providing the perfect gifts for partiers, luxury-seekers, risk-takers, and difference-makers

 This holiday season, new bottles from Absolut Vodka, Absolut Elyx, G.H. Mumm Champagne, and Chivas Regal are helping holiday-shoppers to cross names off their holiday shopping lists quicker than ever.

Absolut Vodka

Absolut introduces its latest limited edition bottle, Absolut Facet, a blue bottle featuring an asymmetrical design. The round edges of the Facet bottle have been cut into like a gem, creating a number of faces that catch the light in unique ways, symbolizing the many directions #AbsolutNights can take you. The aesthetic is reminiscent of spontaneous moments of nightlife magic, highlighting that the best nights happen out of the blue Absolut Facet is available with a free Absolut limited edition speaker at 7-11 (listed at HK$180)

Absolut Elyx

For the luxury-lovers, Absolut Elyx, bathed in its rustically elegant copper bottle, is a gift that is sure to please. Absolut Elyx is the world’s first vodka created specifically for sipping, and is the result of manual processes, authentic craftsmanship, and human supervision through every detail of production. This silky-smooth vodka is a unique combination of traditional handcraft, copper distillation and cutting-edge design. The copper naturally catalyzes trace compounds in the spirit, purifying the vodka and adding a highly prized silky texture and taste. Crafted from single-estate wheat, from seed to bottle everything is done within a 15-mile radius of the distillery in Ahus, Sweden; this ensures quality control and perfection in every detail. Absolut Elyx is available  from Watson’s Wine (listed at HK$458)

G.H. MUMM Champagne

In the spirit of celebration that has become its hallmark, G.H. Mumm Champagne has commissioned multi-award-winning designer Ross Lovegrove to design their most revolutionary bottle yet, Mumm Grand Cordon. Unveiled in Hong Kong in conjunction with the FIA Formula E Championship, the Mumm Grand Cordon bottle has no front label – instead, the G.H. Mumm signature and eagle emblem are printed in gold directly on the glass. The bottle is a reinterpretation of the famous Cordon Rouge red sash, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. On Mumm Grand Cordon, the red sash is transformed into a genuine red ribbon, which is actually indented in the glass. The revolutionary new bottle is available at Watson’s Wine and Cuvees.com (listed at HK$438)

 Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has partnered with premium audio producers LSTN Sound Co., to craft unique whisky and music accessories to celebrate their shared passion for craftsmanship, style and generosity. The initiative – Generosity: Amplified – features a range of activity aimed to raise funds for Starkey Hearing Foundation, including an innovative limited edition Chivas 12 Year Old gift tin. The creative partnershiip between Chivas and LSTN Sound Co. has seen the creation of a limited-edition gift tin to house premium Scotch whisky Chivas 12 Year Old. Inspired by sound, and featuring images of deconstructed headphones the gift tin has been designed to create disruptive on-shelf presence with a new square-to-round shape.  Both Chivas and LSTN Sound Co. recognise the growing desire amongst modern gentlemen to seek authenticity and depth in both their lifestyle choices and purchase decisions, so a percentage of the profit from limited edition gift tin will be donated to Starkey Hearing Foundation - a pioneering charity that has provided more than 1.8 million hearing aids and care to people in need in the last 30 years. It is estimated that the partnership will give around 15,000 people the gift of hearing. The limited edition LISTN gift tin will be available at Wellcome and Marketplace by Jason’s (listed at HK$428)