Award-winning Mixologist Francisco Heads to Hanoi for World Cocktail Day
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HANOI, Vietnam (May , 2026) – Award-winning mixologist Nipichthorn “Francisco” Junkaew from MAI The Sky Bar at Meliá Chiang Mai will headline a special two-night guest shift at Garbo, Meliá Hanoi’s cinematic cocktail bar, in celebration of World Cocktail Day.
To be staged on May 14 and 15 from 4pm until midnight, the takeover, titled “Garbo’s Signatures Reimagined in Chiang Mai Flavors” will see Francisco reinterpret Garbo’s signature cocktails with a Thai expression of herbs, spices and citrus.
Known for its old-Hollywood atmosphere and cocktail menu inspired by silver screen icons and classic films, Garbo has collaborated with Francisco on three bespoke cocktails to coincide with World Cocktail Day on May 13.
Inspired by Greta Garbo and the 1936 film Camille, “Black Glamour” combines Johnnie Walker Black Label, cacao-infused Averna Amaro, coffee and tonka bean tincture, topped with Chiang Mai stout cacao and cava air foam. “Call Me By Your Name”, that pays tribute to Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, blends Chiang Mai tea-infused vodka with clarified pomelo juice. A nod to Ginger Rogers in Top Hat, “Chiang Mai Confidential” combines neem leaf-infused gin, Lillet Blanc and soda water for a herbaceous serve.
Each cocktail is accompanied by a limited-edition coaster inspired by the Hollywood figure and film behind the drink, with a QR code that “unlocks the scene behind the sip”.
Francisco was crowned winner of the Thailand Hotel Bartender’s Championship 2025. He was also the second runner-up in the World Class Thailand 2025 national competition and won the Zacapa “Above the Clouds” Challenge.
He has more than eight years’ experience in luxury hospitality and mixology and played a key role in the pre-opening of Meliá Chiang Mai before becoming the hotel’s beverage manager. He leads the beverage program at MAI The Sky Bar, the hotel’s 360-degree rooftop venue perched high above the Ping River with a striking glass bridge and panoramic views across Chiang Mai.
“This guest shift gives me the chance to recast Garbo’s signature cocktails through the flavours and atmosphere of Chiang Mai, with Northern Thai ingredients stepping into the spotlight,” said Francisco. “The drinks still carry that old Hollywood glamour and mystery, but with Northern Thai ingredients playing the leading role.”
