Celebrate a Legend: Nine Dragon Cocktails
in the Lobby of the InterContinental Hong Kong

Renowned for its spectacular panoramic views of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island, the Intercontinental Hong Kong, has created nine signature cocktails that celebrate the local legend of the Nine Dragons. Served in the Lobby Bar, these drinks are best enjoyed from twilight onwards as the skyline transforms and the show of lights begin.

The Legend of the Nine Dragons
The Nine Dragons have special significance for InterContinental Hong Kong, with its dramatic location on the Kowloon waterfront. Kowloon translates to Nine Dragons, a reference to the mountains which dominate the peninsula. The name is believed to have been bestowed by Emperor Ping, one of two boy-emperors of the doomed Sung Dynasty (960 – 1279AD), whose court fled to Hong Kong eight centuries ago.

Emperor Ping is said to have counted eight mountains, and decided to name the area "Eight Dragons," reflecting the belief that each mountain is inhabited by a dragon. A quick-witted courtier pointed out that the Emperor, with his royal birth rite, was also considered to be a dragon; and therefore the area should be called "Nine Dragons", with Emperor Ping being the ninth. The origin of Kowloon's name may be a legend, but it is a historical fact that the boy-emperor's entourage stayed in the area. One ancient carved rock inscription recording the imperial visit stands in a small park in Kowloon City.

According to legend, the dragons descend from the mountains at dawn to bathe in the harbor and at dusk to drink from the harbor. As dragons can magically pass through glass, the InterContinental Hong Kong’s Lobby provides an alluring pathway for the dragons. This mythical procession has graced the hotel with exceptional good fortune and Feng Shui.

To commemorate the Legend of the Nine Dragons, the hotel has created Nine Dragon Cocktails, best enjoyed at sunset as Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island transform from golden hues to a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors.

Here are recipes for two of the Nine Dragon Cocktails:

Blushing Dragon

1 1/2 jigger vodka
1/4 jigger Cointreau
1/3 jigger lemon Juice
1/2 jigger syrup
4 strawberries
6 raspberries
6 blueberries
1/2 mango

Blend the liquor and fruit with ice then pour into a tall glass. Garnish glass with a half strawberry with leaf and float a chopped strawberry, blueberry and raspberry in the drink.

Golden Dragon

1/3 jigger Coconut Liqueur
1/3 jigger Mangalore (chili flavor sweet liqueur, very spicey, rum based)
1/2 jigger Grand Marnier  (sweet liqueur with cognac with orange flavours)
1/3 jigger fresh lime juice
2 1/2 jigger fresh mango puree
1/3 jigger simple syrup

Blend with crushed ice and top with a Mangalore (frozen ) Chocolate Stick. Garnish with mint leaves

Other signature Dragon cocktails served in the Intercontinental Lobby Bar are Nine Dragons—vodka, cognac, malt whisky and Irish Mist; Dragontini—Kuei Hau Chen and Jagermeister; Royal Dragon—Champagne and raspberry juice; Pearl Dragon—vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Crème De Cacao and cream; and Dragon Slayer—Hpnotiq, vodka, Blue Curacao and cognac.

The list includes two non-alcoholic drinks, the Green Dragon, a medley of honeydew melon and ginger juices and the Virgin Dragon, guava, passion fruit and peach juices topped with apple-flavored sparkling water.

Edited by Patricia D. Sherman

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