Is This Beijing's Brainiest Bartender? Jeff Ji

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz Beijing’s barkeeps on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist.

Contestant: Jeff Ji, Mai

Specialist Subject: Cocktails

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Which college did Jeremy Lin attend?
New York. I don’t know. That’s it, I think. X

According to known historical records, which Chinese emperor enjoyed the longest reign?
Kangxi. √

Which film won “Best Picture” at the 2012 Oscars?
I don’t know. Do you have some choices you can give me? X

What is the capital of Sweden?
Stockholm. √

Which Chinese company is currently involved in a dispute with Apple over the iPad trademark?
I know the company. I know, I know. Of course. Let me think about that. Something “-hua”? Hong Kong, Taiwan and Shenzhen. But the name is … I don’t know. X

SPECIALIST SUBJECT

Mix gin, vermouth and Campari: what’s the cocktail?
Caipirinha. No, no, no. Sorry, sorry. It’s a Negroni. Definitely. √

True or false: The Tom Collins is named after the person who created it.
True, I think. X

What’s the difference between rum & coke and a Cuba Libre?
I think it’s the same cocktail, but the Cuba Libre also has something else. Something cultural. Is it the same cocktail, but the name symbolizes Cuba’s resistance to America? X

True or false: Angostura bitters are named after a town in Venezuela.
Oh. I heard … I think it’s false. Is it true? Or is it false? I’ll say true. √

What is the flavor of Triple Sec?
Orange. It’s an orange liqueur. √

FINAL SCORE: 5/10

Answers: 1) Harvard 2) Kangxi 3) The Artist 4) Stockholm 5) Proview/Weiguan 6) Negroni 7) false 8) You add lime juice to a Cuba Libre 9) true 10) orange

Verdict: A strong, well-balanced performance gives Jeff a creditable five points, making him the joint top-scoring Chinese bartender on the Mastermind leader board, alongside Jack Zhou of First Floor.

Mai 40 Beiluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District (138 1125 2641) 东城区北锣鼓巷40号

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Photo: Sui