High in Vietnam’s misty mountains, Hotel de la Coupole Sapa - MGallery Collection celebrates World Cocktail Month with creative flair. A rooftop bar inspired by the elegance of 1920s–1930s French Indochine and the allure of French haute couture, featuring limited-edition glassware and a curated menu of exquisite cocktails, offers guests not just a drink, but a sensorial journey of craftsmanship, culture, and highland sophistication.
Perched in the highlands of Sapa, among the rice terraces and swirling mist of northwestern Vietnam, Hotel de la Coupole – MGallery Collection isn’t just the town’s first five-star hotel—it’s a statement. Designed by the celebrated Bill Bensley, the hotel masterfully fuses 1920s French haute couture with the vivid colour and spirit of Vietnam’s hill tribes. Every corner tells a story, and now, from 30 May to 31 August 2025, it adds a new chapter—World Cocktail Month.
At the centre of this spirited celebration is the hotel’s rooftop jewel: Absinthe Bar. Lavish yet layered, this cocktail sanctuary is a blend of mirrored ceilings (crafted from 3,600 scarified tiles), eclectic antiques, and sweeping mountain views. It’s a space French haute couture spirit meets Sapa’s soul—velvet and brass wrapped around a highland breeze. But Absinthe isn’t just about aesthetics. This season, it becomes the canvas for a collaborative masterpiece between MGallery and French design atelier Maison Sarah Lavoine, who have crafted bespoke cocktail glassware that doesn’t just hold a drink—it holds emotion. Elegant and tactile, each glass reflects the curves of memory and the nuance of fine hospitality.
Within this curated setting, guests are invited to discover a limited-time menu of cocktails that reach beyond the ordinary. Citadelle Gin, the world’s first artisanal gin from southwest France, lends its complexity and character to a trio of signature creations—each a liquid story told with precision and poetic flair.
The experience begins with The Crystal Diva, a modern reinterpretation of the classic gimlet. Delicate yet structured, it blends Citadelle Gin with fino sherry, jasmine and lemongrass cordial, and a touch of orange blossom. Served in a Maison Sarah Lavoine Nick & Nora coupe, it is floral, elegant, and unmistakably feminine—an ode to grace in a glass.
For those drawn to bolder expressions, The Timeless Negroni offers an earthier journey. Here, Citadelle Gin is infused with sandalwood and paired with red vermouth and Italian bitters enlivened by notes of pineapple and pandan. The result is a Negroni that’s familiar yet refreshingly unexpected—tropical, herbaceous, and grounded in Southeast Asian warmth. Served over a hand-cut oval ice cube and garnished with pineapple and pandan leather, it’s a cocktail with depth and destination.
Then there is The Honey 75—a lively twist on the French classic. Fat-washed with local olive oil and blended with salted Sapa honey, verjus, orange and cardamom syrup, and topped with Pommery Champagne, this drink balances brightness with body. Served in a Maison Sarah Lavoine coupe, it dances between effervescence and earth, sparkle and soul.
Cocktail Culture, Redefined
The broader message behind World Cocktail Month is clear: cocktails are no longer just an aperitif—they are narrative vessels. From signature menu to exclusive World Cocktail Month menu, each recipe at Absinthe Bar has been designed not only to delight the palate but to transport the drinker. Whether through the botanicals of Citadelle Gin or the artistic vision of Maison Sarah Lavoine, the journey is as visual and emotional as it is flavourful.
And fittingly, this experience unfolds in Sapa—a destination known for its rich textures, deep traditions, and cultural interplay. At Hotel de la Coupole, that interplay takes on new form: French craftsmanship meets Vietnamese spirit, vintage glamour meets contemporary finesse.
A Table for Two... or Four Hands
To elevate the occasion further, the hotel will host an exclusive Four Hands Dinner on 18 July at Chic Restaurant - Absinthe Bar's grandeur neighbour on hotel's 10th floor. This special evening brings together Chef Bryan David Ceron Serrano, from Hanoi’s beloved Spanish tapas bar Tapas Hanoi, and Oliver Mette, Director of Cuisine at Hotel de la Coupole.
The menu promises a dialogue between Western flavours (Spanish and French) and highland refinement, with each tapas-style dish perfectly compliment a choice among World Cocktail Month creations. It’s not just a dinner—it’s a celebration of synergy, where food and drink move in harmony, like a duet in three courses.
A Lasting Impression
As twilight falls over the mountains and the first notes of a Timeless Negroni are poured—crafted with Citadelle Gin Original infused with sandalwood, red vermouth, and Italian bitters laced with pineapple and pandan—one thing becomes clear: this is not merely an homage to mixology, but a redefinition of what it means to drink, to savour, and to remember.
With its evocative setting, masterful partnerships, and commitment to beauty in every detail, Hotel de la Coupole transforms cocktail hour into an art form. And long after the last sip, the memory lingers—sparkling, spiced, and undeniably Sapa.