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Hong Kong is renowned for its vibrant culinary landscape, and its beverage culture is no exception. With a rich tapestry of flavors influenced by various traditions, the city offers a delightful array of local drinks that reflect its unique heritage. Today, we’ll explore five beloved beverages, uncovering fascinating trivia behind each one to deepen our appreciation for Hong Kong's local culture.
1. Black Cow
Black Cow is a signature drink found in Hong Kong's cha chaan teng (tea restaurants).
This delightful concoction combines cola with a scoop of chocolate ice cream, though some establishments may opt for vanilla instead. Originating in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s as the Black Cow (also known as Root Beer Float), it was adapted for children using Coke and chocolate ice cream.
Upon reaching Hong Kong, it inspired various iterations such as the White Cow (Sprite with vanilla or coconut ice cream), Red Cow (Sprite with strawberry ice cream), and Yellow Cow (cream soda with mango or pineapple ice cream).
2. Yuenyeung
Yuenyeung is a unique blend of milk tea and coffee that originated in Hong Kong.
This beverage boasts the rich aroma of coffee combined with the creamy texture of milk tea, typically served in a 7:3 ratio, though this can vary. It can be enjoyed hot or cold and usually doesn’t contain added sugar. The history of milk tea in Hong Kong dates back to the 19th century, while the exact origins of Yuenyeung remain unclear.
This drink symbolizes the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures and has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
3 Ginger Lemonade
When feeling under the weather, many locals turn to ginger lemonade, a popular home remedy believed to expel cold and bacteria from the body.
Stewed ginger with lemon and cola is a folk diet therapy in Hong Kong, which is literally stewed with ginger and lemon in cola.
This folk remedy combines lemon soda and ginger, with its origins linked to historical struggles faced by lower-class citizens in Hong Kong who relied on home remedies for relief when healthcare was less accessible. Interestingly, while parents often view soda as unhealthy, they still use this remedy to soothe their sick children.
4 Salty Lemonade
Pour a can of SevenUp/Spirit soda into a glass with salted (preserved) lemon, which can also be regarded as an old-fashioned non-alcoholic cocktail~
Salty Lemonadeis a nostalgic non-alcoholic cocktail made by mixing 7UP or Sprite with salted pickled lemons.
This concoction emerged in cha chaan teng during the late 20th century and is believed by locals to help alleviate phlegm and soothe throat discomfort, similar to ginger lemonade.
5. Creamy Milk with Soda
Creamy Milk with Soda is a nostalgic drink that has largely disappeared from modern cha chaan teng menus.
This beverage involves pouring cream soda and fresh milk together into a cup, allowing them to mix naturally without stirring.
While these ingredients may seem unrelated, their combination creates a surprisingly delightful flavor! It’s worth experimenting at home—mixing them together yields a more harmonious taste, while pouring them separately still results in a delicious drink.
With such a diverse range of distinctive local beverages, it’s clear that Hong Kong boasts a rich drinking culture. Some of these drinks may not be readily available today and have slowly faded from public consciousness, contributing to perceptions of a declining local food culture. If you’re curious about these beverages, consider checking out their preparation methods on platforms like Wikipedia or food blogs, or visit a cha chaan teng to experience these unique drinks for yourself.
