Dare to drink Hong Kong's combustible cocktails

You can't really take a flaming cocktail or its drinker too seriously. But one Hong Kong club has made it their new serious gimmick.

In Lan Kwai Fong, Likuid's flaming flare show and cocktail menu are attracting customers ready to party in the most showy and thrilling way.

"Flaming drinks really get the energy up in the club," says Likuid's bar manager, Dilip Thapa. "It is so entertaining."

Originally from Nepal, 25-year-old Thapa has been bartending for seven years and received his training mostly at Hong Kong's Armani Bar before joining Likuid. He became interested in making cocktails when he was a teenager and has been hooked on the craft ever since.

"I want to go deeper into the art, I want to invent more cocktails," says Thapa, who came up with the flaming cocktail Siwoncke for Likuid.

The pyromanic mixologist was excited by the prospect of developing nine items for a flaming cocktails menu. Thapa insists he was never scared by the challenge and advises that Bacardi 151 is the fuel of choice as it burns clean and fast.

"I can cover my hand in it and let it burn and it won't hurt me at all," says Thapa.

For the daring few thinking about trying this at home, Thapa says professional training is advisable. Start by aiming for a small flame in your drinks when you are practicing. To help get over your fear, try playing with the flame or squeezing a rag or piece of paper soaked in Bacardi 151.

Obviously, make sure you are not near inflammable items like textiles and wear fitted clothing that won't flap about and catch fire.

When asked about his own favorite way to get wasted, Thapa says, "I don't get wasted. I like to get tipsy, but I can't handle money behind the bar if I'm trashed."