Sponsored by The Sukhothai Shanghai


The ZUK Bar at the Sukhothai Shanghai has a new immersive cocktail experience: The Gemstone Box. It’s creative—that’s an understatement, it’s pretty awesome—and deserves your attention.

The ZUK Bar, Sukhothai Shanghai hotel.
The ZUK Bar, The Sukhothai Shanghai

Located in The Sukhothai Shanghai, The ZUK Bar is the hotel’s premier cocktail bar. It’s a sleek, contemporary space in Jing’an, next to Taikoo Hui. The bar also has a patio and has a short and sweet menu of bar snacks.

The ZUK Bar, Sukhothai Shanghai hotel.

Gemstone Box Cocktails at The ZUK Bar

The Gemstone Box is The ZUK Bar’s latest pride and joy. It’s an immersive cocktail experience with innovative and fun cocktails served in fantastical vessels. And before you think gimmicks are tiresome, this is anything but.

Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

The menu is the wooden box itself. There are 15 gemstones, each corresponding to a cocktail. Details of the cocktails, only a handful of words each, are mirrored on the top half of the box.

Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

The tasting notes are less than brief, to which I asked: how does one know what they’re ordering? To spend ¥105 on a cocktail to maybe not like it is a tall ask.

Bar and Beverage Manager Attila Balint interjects with a fine response: You don’t know what’s in the drink and you will need to ask, and that is exactly the purpose of the gemstones box.

Good cocktail bars and mixologists pride themselves on interaction with their customers—entertaining them with how house-made infusions are made, imparting knowledge about the drink world, and showing off bottles that guests have never seen before—it’s part of the trade. Unless you’re ready to pick up a stone that “speaks to you” and run with it, you’ll have to put down your phone, wave down the bartender and ask what is in “Adventure”?

Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

The glassware or “vessels” containing said cocktails are all different, selected with careful consideration. Some are more ornamental, some quirky, and some beautiful works of craftsmanship. It’s aesthetically pleasing and rather charming.

Here are some of the cocktails:

Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Confidence” (slightly sparkling, spicy) – Tie Guan Yin tea with ginger, bergamot and black truffle served in a honey dispenser. Strong tea with sweet and sour notes. I’m a big fan of this mocktail—ask and you can get it as a cocktail.
Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Adventure” (savory, strong, aromatic) – Pistachio washed Sauvignon Blanc with Chivas Mizunara whisky and sea water. Served with cheese and pistachio. Earthy, briny, strong. One is enough to get you tipsy.
Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Motivation” (bittersweet, bubbly) – Probably the most fun apparatus. This cocktail comes served in a tea-infuser. (Taobao, you really have everything.) Unscrew the top to sip on a cocktail of Amaro Montenegro, fino sherry, blood orange, hazelnut liquor, a dash of bitters and housemade eucalyptus soda. But if you put the cap back on and press the button on the flask, you can infuse the drink with rooibos tea and lemongrass for a different profile. This is my overall favorite for flavor, too. Does not photograph well
Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Intelligence” (floral, sweet & sour, refreshing) – Jasmine flowers soaked in tequila with fresh grape juice, leans sweet. Comes with a single 62% dark chocolate.
Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Creativity” (nutty, sweet, acidic) – Old Tom Gin, Cynar amaro, chestnut syrup, coconut vinegar and onion jam. The tasting notes are spot on. It’s another savory drink—my cocktail profile of choice. Another drink I would order again.
Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Prosperity” (herbal, nutty, velvety, sparkling) – A mocktail using Seedlip and a Mediterranean tincture of thyme, rosemary and cumin, plus a dash of homemade hazelnut syrup and sea water.
Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Focus” (peppery, sour, bubbly, refreshing)
Creative cocktails at The ZUK Bar by mixologist Attila Balint, Sukhothai Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
“Relax” (light, easy, silky, sesame) – Shochu is the base ingredient.

In Summary

Recommended for cocktail exploration and curious palates, as well as a low-key date night destination.

There are 11 cocktails and 4 mocktails in the Gemstone Box, each ¥105 net.

Every Wednesday, Gemstone cocktails or no-tails are buy-two-get-three.


The ZUK Bar, The Sukhothai Shanghai
Address: 1/F, The Sukhothai, 380 Weihai Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu 威海路380号1楼, 近石门一路
Tel: 52378888
Hours: 3pm-late