What is a Pho cocktail? This Hoi An hotel explains

Situated along the Thu Bon River, Hoi An captivates travelers with its lantern-lit streets and well-preserved old town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site combines Chinese, Japanese and European architectural influences with bustling markets, tailors and riverside cafes, resulting in a unique blend of culture and scenery.

Anantara Hoi An, a resort located outside the city center, serves as an ideal base for exploration. The hotel is close to Hoi An’s attractions, while also offering a peaceful escape from the city’s lively and often cacophonous streets.

This colonial-style retreat offers large riverside rooms, a heated pool, complimentary bikes, and a relaxed restaurant serving traditional Vietnamese dishes and seafood. The bar, however, is the meeting point for guests returning after a day of shopping or sightseeing. For many, it’s the first opportunity to try a cocktail inspired by Vietnam’s favorite soup: Pho.

The cocktail incorporates traditional Vietnamese spices like star anise, cinnamon and black cardamom. Fresh coriander, chilli and lime juice add vibrancy, evoking the key elements of Vietnamese cuisine.

“Our Pho cocktail allows the spice flavors of the noodle soup to infuse with the heat of the burnt alcohol, making the flavors subtle yet reminiscent of Pho,” says Anantara Hoi An mixologist Bang Tong as she explains her technique.

Served in a lowball glass and garnished with ingredients from the resort’s organic garden, Anantara’s Pho Cocktail combines Vietnamese flavors with gin and Cointreau.

Origin Story

Pho, Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup, originated in Hanoi in the early 20th century. Influenced by French and Chinese cuisine, the broth is traditionally made with beef bones, star anise, cinnamon and cloves. Pho quickly became popular across the country, with regional variations adding ingredients like bean sprouts and herbs. Today, it remains a favorite dish, served everywhere from street stalls to upscale restaurants.

The Pho Cocktail, which pays homage to the soup, originates from Hanoi. Since then, the concept has spread to bars across the country, with many creating variations on the theme. However, the bar team at Anantara remains true to the authentic flavors of the Hanoi version. Here is the recipe to try at home.

Pho cocktail recipe

Ingredients:

• Gordon’s Gin, 2 oz
• Cointreau, 0.75 oz
• Lemon Juice, 1.5 oz
• Simple Syrup, 0.75 oz
• Star Anise, 0.35 oz (10 g)
• Cinnamon, 0.35 oz (10 g)
• Black Cardamom, 0.2 oz (5 g)
• Fresh cilantro, 10 g (0.35 oz)
• Fresh bell pepper, 0.2 oz (5 g)

Instructions:

• Shake the lime juice, simple syrup, cilantro, pepper, and ice and pour the mixture into a rocks glass to cool.
• Add star anise, black cardamom and cinnamon to the shaker.
• Combine the gin and Cointreau in another glass. Using a lighter, light the alcohol mixture on fire while slowly pouring it into the shaker. Repeat this process twice.
• Stir the hot alcohol into the chilled glass from step 1.
• Garnish with coriander, a slice of lime, star anise and a cinnamon stick.

To enjoy!