“The Pho cocktail allows the spice flavors of the noodle soup to infuse with the heat of burnt alcohol, making the flavors subtle but reminiscent of the soup.”

The Azure Road Take

Set along the Thu Bon River, Hoi An captivates travelers with its lantern-lit streets and well-preserved ancient town. This UNESCO World Heritage site blends Chinese, Japanese, and European architectural influences with bustling markets, tailors, and riverside cafes, resulting in a singular mix of culture and scenery.

Anantara Hoi An, a resort located just outside the town center, serves as an ideal base for exploring. The hotel sits close to Hoi An’s attractions while offering a quiet respite from the city’s lively, often cacophonous, streets.

The colonial-style retreat features expansive riverfront rooms, a heated pool, complimentary bikes, and a laid back restaurant serving excellent traditional Vietnamese dishes and seafood. The bar, however, is the hotspot for guests returning after a day of sightseeing. For many, it’s their first chance to taste a cocktail inspired by Vietnam’s favorite soup: Pho.

Sustainability Chops

Anantara Hoi An has earned a Green Growth Platinum 2050 certification, making it the first resort in Vietnam to achieve this. The resort’s kitchen and spa use ingredients from an on-site organic garden. The property has reduced single-use plastics and produces its own water, bottled in sterilized glass containers. Organic waste is composted and shared with local farms. A portion of the resort’s energy comes from renewable sources, including solar power. Additionally, Anantara runs a Dollars for Deeds initiative, matching donations made by guests.

The Sip

Served in a rocks glass in a hue the color of iced tea, and garnished with ingredients from the resort’s organic garden, the pho cocktail incorporates traditional Vietnamese flavors. Spices include star anise, cinnamon, and black cardamom to represent the base broth of the pho, while fresh coriander, chilies, and lime juice add vibrancy, evoking the key elements of the country’s cuisine.

“Our version allows the spice flavors of the noodle soup to infuse with the heat of burnt alcohol, creating a subtle effect that’s nevertheless, reminiscent of Pho,” says Anantara Hoi An mixologist Bang Tong, explaining his technique.

Origin Story

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

The Pho Cocktail, which pays homage to the soup, originated in Hanoi. The concept has since spread to bars across Vietnam, with many creating their own variations on the theme. However, Anantara’s bar team stays true to the authentic flavors of Pho used in the Hanoi version.

Pho Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

1. Gordon’s Gin, 2 oz
2. Cointreau, 0.75 oz
3. Lime Juice, 1.5 oz
4. Simple Syrup, 0.75 oz
5. Star Anise, 0.35 oz (10 g)
6. Cinnamon, 0.35 oz (10 g)
7. Black Cardamom, 0.2 oz (5 g)
8. Fresh Coriander, 0.35 oz (10 g)
9. Fresh Chili, 0.2 oz (5 g)

Instructions

1. Shake the lime juice, simple syrup, coriander, chilies, and ice together and pour the mixture into a rock glass to chill.
2. Add star anise, black cardamon, and cinnamon into the cocktail shaker.
3. Combine the gin and Cointreau in another glass. Using a lighter, light the alcohol mixture on fire as you slowly pour into the cocktail shaker. Repeat this process twice.
4. Mix the hot alcohol into the chilled glass from step 1.
5. Garnish with coriander, a lime wedge, star anise and a cinnamon stick.

Enjoy!