Bruce Dawson and Spike Tang choose cocktails for hot summer nights

Peak Cafe Bar
9-13 Shelley St., SoHo, 2140-6877
Name: Raspberry Mojito, $48
The lowdown: Bacardi, Framboise, raspberry puree, lime, Prosecco and mint leaves - a best-seller in Aussie sister restaurant Cafe Sydney.
Strength: 
Drunk by: Expat suits and skirts
The verdict: Fruity, refreshing and tie-loosening.

Langham Hotel
8 Peking Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2357-1133
Name: Summer Meadow, $88
The lowdown: Blue Curacao, Midori liqueur, honeydew melon and pineapple juice
Strength: 
Drunk by: Girls who like their liquor to taste like pop
The verdict: Sweet little number with a mildly intoxicating buzz
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Lux
UG/F California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar St., Central, 2868-9538
Name: Bella Lux, $78
The lowdown: Champagne, Schonbrunner
Gold orange liqueur and Chambord black
raspberry liqueur
Strength: 
Drunk by: High-maintenance women 
The verdict: Bubbly with bang. A strong ending to a long day - or a nice prelude to a long night.

Drop
B/F On Lok Mansion, 39-43 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2543-8856
Name: Rose Petal Martini, $90
The lowdown: Skyy Vodka, Monin Rose Syrup, Kwai Feh lychee liqueur and lychee juice
Strength: 
Drunk by: Couples who need a room
The verdict: Don’t be fooled by its pale pink looks, this is a sexy little number - a strong lychee Martini with a sweet smell and melodramatic styling.

Agave
33 D'Aguliar St., Lan Kwai Fong, Central,
2521-2010
Name: Yerbebuena Margarita, $65
The lowdown: 2oz 100 percent de Agave tequila blanco, 20 mint leafs, 3/4oz sugar syrup, 1/4oz creme de menthe, 1 Mexican lime, 6 ice cubes
Strength: 
Drunk by: Real McCoys
The verdict: This precisely made drink is not overpowering and has a refreshing mint taste a world away from typical house mixes. Ariba!

FINDS
2/F, LKF Bldg., 33 Wyndham St. (entrance off D'Aguliar St.), Central, 2522-9318
Name: Greta Garbo, $80
The lowdown: Vanilla & honey vodka, apple and fresh ginger
Strength: 
Drunk by: Edgy women who “vant to be alone”
The verdict: Strong, blonde, cool and beautiful,
like Garbo herself. The ginger tempers the sweetness of the apple, vanilla and honey, and the vodka gives it a bite. 

Opia
1/F, JIA boutique hotel, 1-5 Irving Street, Causeway Bay
Name: Lemongrass Cosmopolitan, $75
The lowdown: Absolut vodka, lemongrass, pineapple juice, fresh lime and a "secret ingredient.” Exclusive to Opia.
Strength: 
Drunk by: Asian Carrie Bradshaws
The verdict: An original and appealing creation featuring Australian chef Teage Ezard's signature lemongrass used as a straw. A fun twist on a popular classic for sassy city gals. 

Chapter 3
B/F, Amber Lounge, 22 Hollywood Rd. (entrance below Pacific Coffee), Central, 2526-5566
Name: Frosted Peach, $68
The lowdown: 1oz Skyy Citron Vodka, 1oz peach schnapps and 3/4oz fresh lemon juice. Shaken with ice and served straight up in a Martini glass with a sugared rim and a lemon twist.
Strength: 
Drunk by: High-voltage types who glow in the dark
The verdict: A refreshing cocktail for slightly fuzzy evenings.

Aqua Spirit
30/F, 1 Peking Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui,
3427-2288
Name: Strawberry Mojito, $82
The lowdown: 1.5oz Havana Club rum, 2 strawberries, mint leaves, 0.5oz strawberry liqueur, 0.5oz sugar syrup, three freshly squeezed lime wedges and a splash of soda.
Strength: 
Drunk by: Those who only look innocent
The verdict: Don’t be fooled by its sweetness, the alcohol creeps up on you. Delicious way to get your daily dose of vitamin C, and a breath-freshener to boot.

Jewel
37-43 Pottinger St., Central, 2541-5988
Name: Fresh Raspberry Martini, $80 ($35 on Martini Thursdays)
The lowdown: Fresh raspberries at the bottom of a shaker with vodka.
Strength: 
Drunk by: People with expensive tastes
The verdict: One of the best fresh fruit Martinis in town. Looks great in dim light, and has a nice light taste.

California
3/F California Entertainment Building,
34-36 D'Aguilar St., Lan Kwai Fong,
2523-0238
Name: Chocolate Monkey, $74
The lowdown: Vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s, creme de cacao, creme de banane, cream, milk, fresh bananas and chocolate syrup.
Strength: 
Drunk by: Banana queens
The verdict: Surprisingly refreshing - a boozy banana milkshake. But garnished with a whole fruit, this is not for the easily embarrassed.

1/5
Starcrest, 9 Star St., Wan Chai, 2520-2515
Name: Miss M, $80
The lowdown: Honeydew melon juice, 1oz vodka, 1.5oz Grand Marnier.
Strength: 
Drunk by: James Bond fans
The verdict: A refreshing, fruity cocktail with simple ingredients and a sweet smell courtesy of the fresh honeydew melon juice. Will leave you stirred, not shaken.

Club 97
9 Lan Kwai Fong, 2810-9333
Name: Passion Blue, $70
The lowdown: Absolut vodka, Midori, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, lemon and lime juice, garnished with pineapple and a cherry.
Strength: 
Drunk by: Anyone in need of Dutch courage
The verdict: Fruity with just the right amount of kick for a knee-trembler.