Korean craft soju brand Tokki Soju has launched a two-month pop-up in partnership with renowned Hong Kong cocktail bar The Old Man, offering a creative reinterpretation of classic cocktails infused with Korean flavors.
The collaboration draws inspiration from the works of American literary icon Ernest Hemingway, embracing his adventurous spirit and layered persona through a theme titled “Rabbit Hunt.” The pop-up invites guests to “follow the rabbit,” a nod to a quote from For Whom the Bell Tolls: “Thou wilt go now, rabbit. But I go with thee. As long as there is one of us there is both of us.”
Founded in 2016 by master distiller Brandon Hill, Tokki Soju specializes in premium rice spirits. For this initiative, the brand has teamed up with The Old Man to reimagine time-honored cocktails, using its signature soju expressions to deliver a distinctly Korean twist.
“The boldness of Hemingway serves as the inspiration for this pop-up,” Tokki Soju said in a statement. “The ‘Rabbit Hunt’ encourages discovery through creative interpretations of the classics.”
The curated menu, developed by The Old Man’s bar team, highlights inventive combinations that blend the smooth characteristics of Tokki Soju with savory, sweet, and umami-forward ingredients.
Key offerings include:
Wax Bunny – A reinterpretation of the Old Fashioned, crafted with miso and soy sauce caramel, burnt butter mushroom-infused Tokki Black, and Baldoria Umami. The cocktail is garnished with a wax chocolate rabbit resting in a bed of sprouts, embodying earthy tones and Hemingway’s rugged outdoorsmanship.
Follow the Rabbits – Featuring Tokki Gold smoked with hay, Korean pickled carrot, and Perrier, this cocktail offers a playful spin on a Gin Fizz. Garnished with crispy kale, it reflects the whimsy and complexity of Hemingway’s character.
Cosmo Dirty Rice – A bold twist on the Cosmopolitan, combining genmaicha and muscat grape cordial, toasted rice-infused orange liqueur, and Tokki Black. Omija and blackberry cordial add depth to a cocktail inspired by Hemingway’s global travels.
Tokki About Banana – A decadent milk punch made with Tokki Black, banana, coffee liqueur, jujubes, and a mix of Amontillado and Pedro Ximénez sherry. Served with a jujube Snickers bar, this drink plays on the duality of Tokki’s mischievous rabbit mascot and Hemingway’s layered legacy.
Nikita Matveev, operations director of The Old Man, emphasized the alignment between the two brands, stating: “Tokki’s ethos of curiosity and reinvention aligns perfectly with The Old Man’s homage to Hemingway. This collaboration is about celebrating both tradition and innovation, offering guests an unforgettable cocktail journey.”
The pop-up aims to bridge cultures and storytelling through a shared passion for craftsmanship, inviting guests into an imaginative world where literary legacy meets contemporary mixology.
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