Botanical Garden at the Magistracy has unveiled a new Mad Dogs & Englishmen Menu with a new Gin and Tonic selection and a range of English snacks by Chef Alyn Williams.

Steeped with history and once an annexe to Hong Kong’s Supreme Court, the Magistracy Dining Room, Prince and the Peacock, and Botanical Garden pay homage to a piece of the city’s history, connecting Hong Kong’s present and future to its past through thoughtful hospitality stories.

This summer, guests are invited to embark on an exquisite journey at the enchanting Botanical Garden outside the Magistracy Dining Room, where culinary excellence meets botanical beauty in a celebration of British heritage and gin tradition.

Spilling out onto the terrace alongside the Magistracy Dining Room, Botanical Garden offers a lush and vibrant space inspired by iconic British heritage gardens, providing guests with an oasis to revel in premium gin and tonics from afternoon until evening.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen
From now until 31 August, indulge in the new Mad Dogs & Englishmen at Botanical Garden, where the evocative words of Rudyard Kipling, immortalised in song by Noël Coward, set the scene for an unforgettable early evening of culinary delights and handcrafted cocktails — as they saying goes, “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.”

Snacks include Gillardeau Speciale No. 3 oysters, Cheese Gougeres, and Quality Chop House Confit Potatoes, designed to pair perfectly with expertly crafted cocktails such as the Bramble with tarragon gin, blackberry, and lemon, the Enzoni featuring spiced gin, Campari, red grape, and lemon, the Gin Fizz Tropical with Plymouth and pineapple, and the Garden Highball, featuring zero-proof gin.

Each snack and cocktail costs HK$58 and is available daily from 6 pm to 8 pm. The Botanical Garden’s serene surroundings provide the perfect setting to unwind and savour the flavours of summer.

The New Gin & Tonics Selection at Botanical Garden
Immerse yourself in the rich history of gin, tracing its origins from a humble medicinal remedy to its rise as a beloved libation in England amidst trade wars. Botanical Garden pays homage to gin’s storied past by spotlighting the transformation of this once-stigmatised spirit into a revered classic.

The venue’s gin programme focuses on the timeless London Dry style, dividing its G&T menu into four distinct categories: Citrus, Floral, Herbal and Spiced, each offering a unique botanical experience for the drinker.

Savour the Sipsmith London Dry with a lime wheel and aromatic tonic from the Citrus selection, or opt for the Mermaid featuring cucumber and elderflower tonic from the Florals. For a Herbal twist, try the Martin Miller infused with thyme and Indian tonic, or explore Spiced options with the Oxley, garnished with a grapefruit wheel and light tonic.

This curated selection of classic gin and tonics, paired with premium tonics and traditional garnishes, promises a sensory delight for aficionados of this versatile spirit.

New Small Bites Selection and Lunch at Botanical Garden
A tantalising menu of small bites awaits, featuring an array of dishes such as oysters with mignonette, caviar, steak tartare and the ever-classic endive & stilton salad.

Brand new offerings by Executive Chef Alyn Williams include:

  • Gillardeau Spéciale No.3 served with chilled Granny Smith apple, cucumber and chervil
  • A succulent Smoked Haddock, paired with leek fritters and East London chip shop-style spiced mayo; Smokin’ Brother Thick Cut Scottish Smoked Salmon served with crème fraiche and dill
  • The exclusive The Beefeater sandwich featuring prime rib, melted Gruyere, caramelised onions and horseradish cream
  • Prawn Mayo Toasted Brioche with butter lettuce and smoked paprika
  • Ploughman’s Toasted Sandwich, which offers a comforting harmony of mature cheddar, salad and Branston pickles
  • Cheese Gougères, light and fluffy choux pastry puffs filled with a blend of Stilton and Parmesan cheeses
  • And finally, Quality Chop House Confit Potatoes, featuring the signature crispy exterior and fluffy interior of Quality Chop House’s famous potatoes, seasoned with malt vinegar and sea salt.

Whether for lunches or shared evening bites, the garden’s meticulously crafted design by Joyce Wang echoes the splendour of British heritage gardens, with dusty rose pinks, muted greens and vibrant orange umbrellas adorning marble tables and plush seating amidst carefully selected botanicals like Hydrangeas, Maidenhair Ferns and English Ivy, creating a vibrant outdoor sanctuary.

Botanical Garden is now open from lunch at 12 pm on Thursday through to Sunday and open for drinks and light bites from 6 pm daily.