Exclusive: talking cocktails at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong’s globally renowned bar, Argo
Gabbay is a seasoned beverage professional known for crafting exceptional guest experiences and elevating cocktail programs to international acclaim.
Born in Lyon, France, and now based in Hong Kong, Jonathan brings a wealth of experience from leading luxury hospitality destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia.
As Beverage Manager at Argo, one of the world’s most prestigious hotel bars, he blends creativity, precision, and storytelling to create an innovative yet approachable cocktail experience.
To find out more about the cocktails and ingredients on offer, James Wilkinson sat down with Gabbay at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong recently.
Argo is one of the world’s most prestigious hotel bars, full stop. What excites me most is its unique position between the impeccable, irreproachable service and luxurious standards of a classic hotel bar, combined with the creative freedom of a standalone bar.
The current cocktail menu ‘Combinations’ showcase a dynamic exploration of artfully blended single ingredients, highlighting ten easily accessible and familiar fruits and botanicals available in Hong Kong: pineapple, grapefruit, kumquat, grapes, corn, cacao, bergamot, hops, marigold, and wood.
Guests can explore cocktails focusing on specific ingredients, such as pineapple, grapes, or marigold, or enjoy combinations of two to four elements.
In addition, guests can enjoy Argo’s signature Martini, available in either a citrus or savoury variation. Furthermore, there is an opportunity to indulge in cocktails from the ever-evolving ‘Classic With A Twist, Bartenders Madness’ cocktail series, which includes ten signature renditions of classic drinks crafted by Argo’s bartenders.
Stay tuned as we will be launching a new menu next year. My goal is to weave Hong Kong’s culture more deeply into the experience through local products and ingredients.
I’m excited about potential collaborations with local talents and producers to create something truly authentic that celebrates the city’s vibrant spirit while maintaining Argo’s world-class standards.
Bespoke cocktails? It’s the best part of the job. I just chat with someone, what they’re in the mood for, a favourite flavour, maybe a trip they loved, and build the drink right then. A little more citrus, a drop of something I infused last week, a quick rinse of absinthe. No recipe, just instinct. Some people don’t want to open the menu, they rather trust the bartender. It’s not on the menu; it’s theirs.
At Argo we choose to have enough different types of cocktail to be able to meet all the expectation without having too much choice that would be lost on our guests.
Right now, I’m all-in on extra-virgin olive oil and saline behind the bar, they turn a good cocktail into something unforgettable.
Olive oil gives drinks a silky mouthfeel and that bright, peppery pop. I fat-wash gin or vodka with it overnight (freeze, strain, done) for velvety martinis, or float a few drops on top so every sip coats your lips in green-gold luxury.
Saline (usually 2% solution) is my flavour cheat-code. Three drops in any shaker and suddenly everything tastes brighter, rounder, more alive, citrus sings, herbs pop, spirits feel deeper. No extra saltiness, just pure enhancement. It make even your syrup feels sweeter without adding sugar.
I’m not very original—I was a Negroni devotee for a long time, drawn to its timeless elegance and that bitter edge I love so much. But over time, especially during long nights, it’s hard to sustain that intensity.
I’ve switched to the highball with a fruity twist: low ABV, perfectly balanced, refreshing, and versatile. It keeps the sophistication I crave while being lighter and more approachable, allowing me to enjoy the evening fully without overwhelming the palate.
Cathay Pacific’s brilliant new Aria Suite in Business Class
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways is one of the world’s leading airlines and flies to over 200 destinations around the world.
Cathay Pacific’s new ‘Aria Suite’ in Business Class made headlines when it was unveiled in October 2024 and customer reviews continue to be extremely positive as the cabin is rolled out on more routes across the globe.
The United States is the next country to receive the fantastic new Business Class experience, found on the retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, following on from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and more.
The cutting-edge Aria Suite delivers a reimagined cabin experience showcasing comfort, style and functionality.
Artistry and craftsmanship have gone into every design detail and the suite offers a more personalised and immersive travel experience, featuring a spacious cabin, intuitive seat designs and refined finishes that reflect Cathay Pacificʼs dedication to quality.
Whilst retaining key features of Cathay Pacificʼs existing Business class seats ‒ such as the reverse herringbone arrangement (with passengers angled away from the aisle), luxurious bedding and abundant stowage ‒ Aria Suite includes a range of new enhancements, such as soft LED lighting, privacy doors and wireless charging consoles for seamless connectivity.
The refined Business class cabin contains 45 suites configured in a 1-2-1 layout and showcases an impressive entertainment experience, including a 24-inch 4K screen ‒ the largest ever offered by the airline.
In keeping with the theme of ʻWhere Artistry Takes Flightʼ and paying homage to Cathay Pacificʼs home city, each Aria Suite cabin on the 777-300ER features unique pieces of artwork created by artists who share a deep connection with Hong Kong through its Gallery in the Skies.
To book your flight, visit www.cathaypacific.com