Named after a major river that flows along the border of Thailand, Mekhong has become a source of pride for Thailand. The spirit is made from indigenous sugar canes, rice, herbs, and spices that give it a balanced sweet and spicy taste indicative of Thai drinks and food.

In April, Alan Wong's father, Chain Wong, has made a special arrangement to import Mekhong International Beverage Holdings in New York. For Kung Fu Plaza, which is the oldest and most authentic Chinese and Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, the availability of Mekhong is long overdue.

“Most spirits like Jack Daniel's or Johnny Walker Black Label are made for meat and potato dinners. It always tastes like something’s missing when we have Crown Royal with our curries. Instead of complementing the meal it seems to be contradicting each other in terms of aftertaste,” said Chain Wong. “Now we can finally put down Thai food like it was meant to be put down, with a Khing Khong, which is Mekhong and Coke.”

Three Mekhong Cocktails

• Khing Khong

2 shots Mekhong
Cola
Lime wedge

Pour Mekhong in a highball glass filled with ice. Top with cola, mix and garnish with lime wedge.

• Sabai Sabai

1 ½ shots Mekhong
1 ½ shots fresh squeezed lemon juice
¾ shot simple sugar syrup
Finger pinch of sweet Thai basil
Club soda

Pour Mekhong and the rest of the ingredients except club soda into a mixing glass. Add ice and shake vigorously for 7-8 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini-cocktail glass. Top off with club soda.

• Ginger Lime Long-Tail

2 shots Mekhong
½ shot fresh squeezed lime juice
Ginger beer (you can also use ginger ale)
1 dash of Angostura bitters
3 lime wheels

Pour Mekhong and lime juice into a Collins glass. Add ice and lime wheels. Cover with a shaker tin and shake briefly. Top off with ginger beer and add bitters.

Mekhong recently launched a Web site with 14 Mekhong cocktail recipes. While Mekhong has been made since 1941, it is new to the United States.

According to Wong, most Western spirits do not complement the curries, mints and spices, which are prevalent in the ingredients of Thai food, and this is why many visitors from Thailand drink beer with their food. Mekhong also hosts a Ports of Call membership for people who want regular updates about featured cocktails, insider news, new establishments, and discounted appetizers.