Barson kicks off exclusive guest shift series with Asia's top 7 bar Hope & Sesame

Aiming to unite the most acclaimed names in the Asian bar scene, the inaugural "Nights of the Best" welcomed the celebrated Hope & Sesame from Guangzhou, ranked 7th in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 list. Known as a unique laboratory for cocktail innovation, Hope & Sesame continuously pushes boundaries through rare ingredients, advanced distillation techniques, and seasonal elements, earning numerous prestigious accolades.

Guests at Barson, Le Méridien Saigon. Photo courtesy of Barson

The two-night event offered a unique guest shift experience featuring mixologists Micky Lee and Miller Wang.

Micky Lee is a rising star in Chinese mixology, recognized for his exceptional flavor structuring and a Top 3 finish at the Maker's Mark Future Masters 2025. Miller Wang brings eight years of experience as a bar veteran, combining sharp instincts with bold creativity.

Miller Wang (L) and Micky Lee from Hope & Sesame were the first two guests of "Nights of the Best" at Barson. Photo courtesy of Barson

Making their debut at Barson, Hope & Sesame treated guests to six signature cocktails, iconic creations from their acclaimed Guangzhou lab known for inventive techniques and bold flavor pairings. Highlights included Truffle Banana, Green Goodness, Black Garlic Manhattan, and 50/50 Sour.

Truffle Banana features banana bread liqueur infused with a variety of spices and buttery notes. It blends wine with fermented banana, black truffle honey, and a hint of applewood smoke.

Green Goodness is a refreshing mix of mint, celery, and aloe vera set in a chilled herbal gel, served uniquely in a tube for a fresh, vibrant taste.

Truffle Banana cocktail by Hope & Sesame Guangzhou. Photo courtesy of Barson

Black Garlic Manhattan delivers deep umami notes from black garlic and vetiver, colliding with dark chocolate for a bold, brooding twist on the classic. Finally, 50/50 Sour draws inspiration from Hong Kong's Yuenyeung, a creamy fusion of wine, coffee, tea, and citrus, resulting in a balanced, comforting, and quietly complex cocktail.

Black Garlic Manhattan cocktail. Photo courtesy of Barson

These six creations from Guangzhou's finest bridged cities and palates exclusively at Barson.

"Nights of the Best" is an exclusive series curated by Barson, featuring guest shifts by distinguished bars from the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 list. It aims to offer Saigon's nightlife aficionados and cocktail lovers unique international collaborations and extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences.

Located on the ground floor of Le Méridien Saigon, right on the banks of the Saigon River, Barson delivers a sophisticated "vibe dining" experience where signature cocktails, elevated cuisine, great music, and the vibrant energy of the city come together in perfect harmony.