Eddie Hsia, a relative newcomer to the St. Louis cocktail scene, is specializing in inventive, Asian-inspired cocktails that highlight East Asian fruits and flavors through his company, Mixed By Eddie.
At Saigon Café in the Central West End, Hsia has teamed up with chef-owner Michael Ly to create a dining experience where Vietnamese cuisine and craft cocktails go hand in hand. While Ly brings the flavors to the plate, Hsia takes charge of the bar and front of house, creating drinks that pair well with the menu.
“Michael’s dishes are incredible, and my goal is to create cocktails that enhance and elevate those flavors,” Hsia said. “I want every sip to feel like an extension of the meal. I love playing with flavors that aren’t typically found in cocktails. Asian fruits, spices, and unexpected pairings – that’s what excites me.”
Beyond his work at Saigon Café, Mixed by Eddie is a mobile cocktail brand that can come to your private events and pop-ups, and you can even buy custom-made bottles of your favorite drinks.
One of his standout creations is the Thai Chile Kiwi Clarified Margarita, a bottled cocktail that perfectly balances the sweetness of ripe kiwi with the heat of Thai chile. The drink undergoes a clarification process that enhances its clarity and refines its texture, resulting in a smooth, crisp finish with plenty of layers. “It surprises people,” Hsia said. “They take a sip expecting something familiar, then the spice, fruit and citrus unfold – it’s an experience.”
As Hsia continues to grow his brand, Mixed By Eddie aims to become a must-try for cocktail enthusiasts across St. Louis. “At the end of the day, I just want to create drinks that make people happy,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Check out the slideshow below for a look at some of Hsia’s offerings.
