Taste for gin grows in HK

The popularity of gin in Hong Kong continues to grow, with specialist bar Ping Pong 129 continuing to expand its portfolio.

Late last year the bar added Majorcan gin, “Xoriguer”, to its line-up bringing its selection to over 60 gins from all over the world; Spain, the UK, the US and Iceland among others.

Although brown spirits dominate the Asian market, gin is the second biggest white spirit category in Hong Kong behind vodka.

Figures from the IWSR show that between 2009 and 2013, gin consumption rose just over 20% in Hong Kong to 31,200 nine-litre cases. Another 8% rise is expected in the figures between 2014 and 2018 hitting 33,700 cases and overtaking brandy as a category.

“There’s a strong interest in gin,” Ping Pong 129’s founder Juan Martínez Gregorio told the drinks business.

“There’s a strong weather connection. We have a long summer here and gin is good for summer.”

He also cited the “colonial connection” while Xoriguer’s brand ambassador, José Carlos Camps Riudavets said that gin’s popularity was growing because its most famous cocktail, the gin and tonic, was so adaptable and easy to recreate at home.

“It’s very easy to adapt gin and tonic to different palates,” he told db, “sweet, dry or aromatic and it’s very easy to imitate in bars or at home.”