Capital Mixology: Beijing’s Best Cocktails

From Old Fashioneds to new innovations, these are some of Beijing’s best cocktails.

2F
Frangelico (RMB 35) This cocktail uses the eponymous hazelnut liqueur as a base and enhances with limejuice, sugar and vodka. The lime adds a delightful citrusy contrast to the sweet warm depth of the Frangelico – smooth to the taste and perfect for summer.
Sun-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-4am. Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District. (6416 4549) 朝阳区三里屯北街3.3 服装大厦南侧

Apothecary
Pisco Sour (RMB 70) Don’t be fooled by its name, this Chilean and Peruvian drink is sweet – imbued with the aroma of muscatels and a hint of lemon juice. The egg whites lend a smooth consistency and create a nice foam on top, sharpened off with a few drops of house-made bitters.
Tue-Sat 7pm-late, Sun 6pm-late. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5208 6040) 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园3层

Centro
Cosmopolitan (RMB 100) A treat for the eyes as much as it is for the mouth. Five mini-Cosmo popsicles – a mix of Grey Goose vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry liqueur, and cranberry juice – served atop a large dahlia-lit cube of ice.
Daily 24hrs. 2/F, Shangri-La’s Kerry Centre Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6561 8833) 朝阳区光华路1 号嘉里中心饭店1层

D Lounge
Grapefruit Gimlet (RMB 65) D lounge’s take on this classic cocktail plays with texture, using the requisite London dry gin and pressed lime, but sweetening it up with Korean grapefruit marmalade. The addition of ginger and apple puree lends the perfect amount of spice to the mix.
Daily 8pm-late. Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6593 7710) 朝 阳区工体北路4号

Fubar
Dirty Martini (RMB 50) If you like your elixir of quietude extra dirty, this martini is for you. Olive brine and a crushed cocktail onion delectably cloud up this generously-poured concoction. Cocktails are RMB 30 during happy hour (daily beginning at 3pm). Fubar also holds a monthly one kuai drinks special on the first of every month.
Sun-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-4am. Behind Stadium Dog, Gate 10, Workers’ Stadium, Chaoyang District. (6593 8227) 朝阳区工体东路工人体育 场东门内10号进口

Glen
Manhattan Not many bars in Beijing get this one right but Kanetaka Daiki knows how to do this classic cocktail justice – his interpretation is strong, urbane and simple.
Daily 5pm-2.30am.The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (133 1126 1949) 朝阳区工体北路4号院

Ichikura
Moscow Mule (RMB 50) Ichikura revives the drink conceived in the 1940s that kicked off the vodka trend in the Western world. Ginger-infused vodka, ginger ale, and lime served in a ridged copper mug.
Daily 6pm-1:30am. 2/F (entrance via stairs at south wall of Chaoyang Theater), Chaoyang Theater, 36 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6507 1107) 朝阳区东三环北路36号

Obiwan
Absinthe Martini (RMB 50) Change up your martini with this blend that is equal parts vodka and Czech-produced absinthe, Sebor. It’s deceptively smooth; the mildly sour and bitter notes counterbalance the warm licorice flavors.
Fri-Sat 7pm-late, Sun 2pm-midnight. 4 Xihai Xiyan, Xicheng District. (8322 1231) 西城区西海西沿4号

Q Bar
Raspberry Sky (RMB 50) Made with raspberry vodka, fresh Thai lime, cranberry juice and white sugar, Q’s candy-colored cocktail is fun and brimming with flavor. It’s sweet and slightly tart, not syrupy in the least bit.Try Q’s 2-for-1 Martini deal every Wednesday 6-11pm.
Daily 5pm-2am. Top floor of Eastern Inn Hotel, 6 Baijiazhuang Lu, Chaoyang District. (6595 9239) 朝阳区百家庄6号三里屯南路逸羽连锁酒店顶楼

Tryst
Watermelon Chili Martini (RMB 40) This piquant drink is an unusual combination of fresh watermelon juice, red chili, vodka, a few slivers of lemon and sugar. The result? A refreshing mixture that ends in a spicy, robust kick.
Daily 5pm-2am. Nali Mall, Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (6417 3092) 朝阳区三里屯北路那里商城内

Twilight
Apricot Old Fashioned (RMB 65) This Old Fashioned isn’t quite so old-fashioned. The double-twist here is that the apricot-infused bourbon is offset by a dash of smoky ten-year Laphroaig. An orange twist garnish further enhances the fruity hints of the apricot.
Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-2am. 3/F, 0102, Bldg 5, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5900 5376) 朝阳区东三环中 路39号建外Soho5号0102单元3层