First trip to Vietnam: checked!
I have written professionally about this country quite a fair bit, since my previous workplace had a subsidiary in Vietnam (granted, it’s in Hanoi), but I am so happy that I have finally visited the Land of Ascending Dragon. A full post about Vietnam is coming soon, along with many others, but one evening deserves a spotlight first.
A Sanctuary Above the Streets in District 1: Summer Experiment
Special thanks to Jeremy for the recommendation, my friends and I spent our first evening at Summer Experiment, a top-rated botanical cocktail bar in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. It sits just minutes from Ben Thanh Market, yet the entrance is so hidden that we had walked past it initially. A small shop sign pointed to a narrow staircase leading up from the street, and here, the bar lay awaiting.
The street below was so quiet that nothing hinted at the crowd waiting here. We were pretty lucky to have snag seats despite making no reservations on a Friday evening. Greeted by the industrial interior and the leafy open terrace, the lighting stayed dark and the buzzing of voices soon turned into background noise as we ensconced ourselves comfortably. Indeed, the place felt like a hidden sanctuary tucked inside the busy Saigon.
The Widely Acclaimed “Garden-to-Glass” Craft Cocktail Bar
Choosing from a menu this inventive took a while, and the discussion at our table was half the fun. Two drinks made the final cut for me while I stayed amused at Nicas’s chilli-rimmed cocktail and intrigued by Jamie’s miso concoction. JC’s selections were pretty decent, but still, my favourite would be…
On Cloud 9
A tasty variation of the “Earl Grey Martini”, definitely has the wow factor of bubble madness stacked as high as we can go!
I loved this. From the towering bubbles that melted on my lips, to the sweet punchy taste of the concoction, everything about this drink was amazing. Who knew dry gin and earl grey tea could match this well? Not to mention, the foam was made of lavender tea, something sweet to end the day with.
Fly With Me
Sip back and relax. It’s time to fly through the clouds with our Vietnamese “Aviation” twist.
Dry gin with bay leaf and black goji berries, liqueur, citrus, egg white, and bitters: it’s sweet, dry, and tangy at the same time. The cocktail is a unique and exotic blend with a well-rounded base, although I still preferred my first choice.
The Cheese Platter (and that Jam)
Picture (or simply scroll below) a generous board of cheeses, ranging from soft and creamy to firm and nutty, arranged beside crisp nuts, fruits, and a separate platter of free flow, freshly-baked slices of toast. It is built for sharing, which suits a group that cannot stop talking.
And, there was the jam. Sweet, slightly tangy, and wildly moreish, it turned every bite into something special, and we kept going back for more. It was a mix of berries, in my humble guess, and I would happily buy a jar to take home.
Final Thoughts
The whole trip was amazing, and sharing it with good friends made it even better. Summer Experiment had captured the taste of how Ho Chi Minh City would be: surprising, lush, and full of flavours. If you are planning your own Saigon itinerary, put this botanical cocktail bar near the top of your list for an enjoyable, filling, and sweet evening.
More Vietnam stories are on the way.
Find out more about Summer Experiment.
Remember to look for a discreet entrance and old staircase. If it feels like you are entering someone’s apartment building, you are (probably) in the right place.
Not a sponsored post.
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