AVANTCHA Thonglor Takes Cocktail Lovers on a Journey Through Tea

AVANTCHA's new Leaf Tales menu explores how the character of each tea leaf can transform the art of mixology

Bangkok's cocktail scene is no stranger to experimentation, but at AVANTCHA Tea & Cocktail Bar in Thonglor, the starting point is neither gin nor whisky. It's tea.

The three-story tea destination has introduced Leaf Tales: A Journey Through Tea, a collection of 30 cocktails organized around six tea families, from delicate white tea to concentrated ceremonial matcha.

Rather than using tea simply as an infusion or flavoring, AVANTCHA puts it at the center of every drink. Each cocktail begins with a specific tea, selected for its origin, processing method and flavor profile. The spirits and other ingredients are then built around it.

The result is a cocktail menu that doubles as an introduction to the surprisingly complex world of tea.

From Tea Bar to Cocktail Destination

AVANTCHA has an interesting dual personality. During the day, it is a contemporary tea bar where guests can explore premium loose-leaf teas, carefully prepared brews and ceremonial matcha. As evening approaches, the focus shifts to cocktails.

The concept works particularly well in Thonglor, a neighborhood known for its bars, restaurants and evolving drinking culture.

AVANTCHA offers something slightly different from the usual cocktail lounge. With more than 90 premium teas in its collection, it has an extensive range of ingredients to work with, including varieties that many casual tea drinkers may never have encountered.

The new menu makes that collection more approachable, translating the characteristics of individual teas into cocktails that can be enjoyed without an in-depth knowledge of tea.

Six Tea Families, Six Different Drinking Experiences

The idea behind Leaf Tales comes from Davide Sambo, AVANTCHA's Tea Bar Manager, whose career has taken him from Italy and London to leading hospitality venues across Southeast Asia.

After more than 16 years working behind bars, Davide found that exploring AVANTCHA's tea collection offered a different way to approach cocktail creation.

Instead of starting with a spirit and deciding what to mix with it, he and his team selected the tea first, then developed a drink around its character.

The menu is divided into six chapters, each exploring a different family of tea and its distinctive flavors.

White Tea opens the journey with delicate floral, honey and stone-fruit notes. The cocktails in this section are designed to be lighter and more subtle, making them a natural starting point.

Green Tea moves into a broader range of flavors, from grassy and marine notes to roasted, nutty and umami characteristics. Japanese Sencha and Hojicha are among the teas used throughout the menu.

Oolong Tea introduces greater complexity. With its partly oxidized leaves and varying roasting techniques, oolong can range from floral and fruity to deeply toasted. Chinese Wuyi Oolong and Da Hong Pao are among the selections.

Black Tea and Pu-erh take the experience in a richer direction, bringing malt, cocoa, dried fruit and earthy notes. These teas provide a natural foundation for cocktails with more weight and depth.

Herbal, Fruit and Rooibos offer a change of pace, introducing brighter, more playful flavors drawn from flowers, fruits, roots and other botanicals.

Finally, Matcha closes the journey with a dedicated Japanese-inspired chapter. AVANTCHA uses ceremonial matcha from four origins, including Fuji, Yame and two selections from Kagoshima, each with its own character.

The progression is deliberate, moving from the lightest teas to more concentrated flavors. Within each chapter, drinks also range from refreshing introductions to more spirit-forward creations.

That said, there is no obligation to follow the menu in order. Guests can explore one tea family or move between different styles depending on their preferences.

A Cocktail Menu Worth Exploring Slowly

What makes Leaf Tales interesting is the opportunity to compare how different teas behave in cocktails.

A lightly processed white tea brings a different character to a drink than a roasted oolong or an aged Pu-erh. The differences are not simply about strength. Aroma, texture, bitterness, sweetness and finish all play a part.

For regular cocktail drinkers, this offers an alternative way to explore familiar spirits. For tea enthusiasts, it introduces another dimension to leaves they may already know.

The menu also features a non-alcoholic selection, including slow-brewed iced teas, cold brews, sparkling teas and signature creations using the same tea collection. It is a welcome addition for guests who want to explore the concept without alcohol.

A Different Kind of Night Out in Thonglor

Bangkok has plenty of cocktail bars built around inventive techniques, unusual ingredients and theatrical presentations. AVANTCHA takes a more focused approach, using tea as the common thread connecting its entire drinks program.

The appeal lies in the variety. Someone who usually orders a light, refreshing cocktail might begin with white or green tea, while drinkers who prefer deeper, more robust flavors may gravitate toward oolong, black tea or Pu-erh. Matcha lovers, meanwhile, have an entire chapter to explore.

With 30 cocktails to choose from, Leaf Tales is less about finding one signature drink and more about discovering how different teas can shape a cocktail.

For anyone looking for a change from Thonglor's conventional bar circuit, AVANTCHA offers an alternative that is as much about discovering tea as it is about enjoying a well-made drink.

AVANTCHA Tea & Cocktail Bar

Corner of Sukhumvit Soi 51 (main Sukhumvit Road), Thonglor, Bangkok

[PHOTO: Courtesy of AVANTCHA]