This summer, Artifact Bar introduces its sixth menu—an evolving collection of house cocktails that continues to reflect the bar’s creative spirit. Known for its thoughtful approach to aged spirits, Artifact now turns its attention to a classic American bourbon: Maker’s Mark Handmade Kentucky Bourbon. With its smooth notes of sweet oak, wheat, and vanilla, the bourbon becomes the base for four new cocktails, each offering a fresh take on familiar ideas.
The new drinks are part of Artifact’s ongoing journey—not just a menu update, but an invitation to explore flavor, memory, and craftsmanship. Inspired by the story behind Maker’s Mark, which was created through the collaboration of Bill and Margie Samuels, the bar leans into themes of partnership and persistence. The menu also draws visual and tonal cues from old spaghetti westerns, adding a touch of cinematic grit to the experience.
Among the new additions is Promised Land, a cocktail that brings together caramel, mango, black cardamom, and buckwheat. It’s a layered drink that highlights the bourbon’s deeper notes, with a hint of salted sweetness and a subtle local twist. Chunky Monkey offers a playful nod to dessert, blending malted banana, oats, pickled walnut, and dark chocolate. It’s a rich and creamy take on a Julep, leaning into the comforting flavors of a banana-chocolate treat—without the actual milkshake.
Summer Games takes a bold turn with ingredients like pepper jack, caramelised onion, watermelon, and arugula. It’s a savory cocktail that feels like a chilled summer salad in a glass, with a velvety texture and a crisp finish. The mix of sweet and sharp flavors makes it a standout, especially in the heat of Hong Kong’s summer. Closing the lineup is Illmatic, a spirit-forward drink with cold smoked hay, cola reduction, cassia, and aromatic bitters. It’s a smoky, spiced cocktail that nods to the farmlands of Kentucky. The drink balances boldness with warmth, rounding out the Maker’s Mark series with a confident finish.
The new menu also introduces Shogun, a highball-style cocktail that draws on childhood nostalgia. Japanese whisky is paired with honeydew melon, toasted rice, matcha, and vanilla, creating a flavor profile that’s creamy, refreshing, and slightly reminiscent of cream soda. Alongside these new creations, Artifact keeps its signature favorites on the list—including Bread & Butter, a long-time staple that remains untouched.
This sixth menu continues Artifact’s approach to cocktail-making as a journey. It’s not about arriving at one perfect drink, but about exploring how flavors, stories, and ingredients can come together in new ways. Whether you’re drawn to the sweet, the savory, or the smoky, this latest chapter offers something worth discovering.
Artifact Bar
LG, Jardine House, No. 1 & 2, Shop 5 & 7, 1 Connaught Pl, Central, Hong Kong
