A vibrant cocktail bar in London's Shoreditch is channelling the electric energy of 1980s Hong Kong nightlife into its glassware. Bun House Disco has created a unique twist on the classic negroni, infusing it with the fragrant, sweet notes of pandan leaf.
The Inspiration Behind the Drink
Located in the heart of east London's E2 postcode, Bun House Disco aims to transport its patrons to the lively after-dark scene of historic Hong Kong. This ethos extends directly to its cocktail menu, which respectfully reimagines well-known classics through a lens of Chinese and broader Asian flavours and spices.
Crafting the Pandan Negroni
The star of the show is the Pandan Negroni, a visually striking drink with a distinctive green hue. The cocktail's foundation is a custom pandan-infused rice gin. To make this, a 10g piece of fresh pandan leaf (using only the green part) is roughly chopped and blended with 175ml of rice gin. The mixture is then strained through a fine sieve or muslin, resulting in a vibrant, dark green spirit.
To assemble the final drink, Linus Leung of Bun House Disco combines 25ml of the pandan-infused gin with 15ml of white vermouth and 15ml of green chartreuse. The ingredients are measured into a tumbler filled with ice, stirred thoroughly, and served immediately.
A Modern Take on Cocktail Tradition
This recipe exemplifies a growing trend in the UK's dynamic cocktail scene, where bartenders are incorporating global and often unexpected botanicals. The pandan leaf introduces a fragrant, sweet, and uniquely southern Asian character that perfectly complements the herbal complexity of the green chartreuse and the crisp base of the rice gin. It's a sophisticated yet accessible cocktail that pays homage to tradition while boldly forging its own path.
For those looking to recreate a piece of Shoreditch's innovative bar culture at home, this Pandan Negroni offers a perfect project. It showcases how a single, thoughtful infusion can transform a familiar favourite into something entirely new and exciting.
