Starbucks Hong Kong has opened its first cafe serving alcohol – including coffee-infused craft beers, exclusive to the city.
Starbucks’ local licensee, the Dairy Farm International subsidiary Coffee Concepts, says the move is part of its strategy of elevating the chain’s ‘Third Place’ experience for its customers through continuous innovation in its coffee offer and in-store experience.
After a month-long refit, the store on the level 2 podium of IFC Mall in Central was formally unveiled to media last evening. It has been upgraded into the Starbucks Reserve format in a bid to attract customers after work as well as during the day.
And besides gourmet coffee blends, a Starbucks Reserve range of merchandise and beer, the cafe offers a selection of wines and light meal menu featuring dips, cured-meat-and-cheese board, bacon-wrapped asparagus skewers and baked meatballs.
Craft beer partnership
Starbucks Hong Kong has released two coffee-infused craft beers created in partnership with a local brewery. A company spokesperson says the two beers are infused with “signature notes of Starbucks coffee, leaving a refreshing taste on the tongue”.
“The Caramel Macchiato Cream Ale is inspired by the signature Starbucks Caramel Macchiato. Cream ale is harmoniously brewed with pre-ground Starbucks Colombian coffee and delectable caramel for more than 18 hours, resulting in an irresistibly smooth taste with nutty notes and a subtle caramel sweetness, as well as a brilliant golden colour.
“The Mocha Brown Ale marries a robust brown ale with the indulgent chocolate and soft spice notes of Starbucks Caffe Mocha. Brewed with Starbucks Guatemala Antigua cold-brewed coffee and cocoa nibs, the intense brown ale will surprise customers with its distinctive contrast of dark-brown hue and luscious sweetness.”
Starbucks Hong Kong is also launching three bottled beers including Hiiro Seed Guava Love, a fruity beer with a tropical pink guava aroma, brewed locally by Hitachino Nest Beer.
The Starbucks Reserve wine list features four red wines (pinot noir, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz), three white wines (sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and riesling) and an Italian prosecco.
Starbucks says that extending the ‘Third Place’ experience (in which home and workplace are the first and second places) the Starbucks Reserve Coffee Experience Bar provides “the widest in-store offerings for customers as they connect with colleagues and friends over their beverages of choice”.
