Cocktails Come East With New Mixing House Branch Near Chaoyang Joy City
Beijing barman Jerry Zheng carries over the successes of the original Mixing House to his new branch, near Chaoyang Joy City. Creative, thoughtful cocktails, cheeky statements and a well-conceived secret menu stir things up in the east Beijing nightlife scene.
Compared to Xiao Ming’s mushrooming cocktail empire (he now has no fewer than nine Sanlitun bars under his belt), Zheng is expanding more conservatively. This venue is just his third, following D&M, in Shuangjing in 2013, and the original The Mixing House in nearby Lecheng Haoli in 2016.
This second venue is made up of a first floor with a long and narrow bar area, while the second floor consists of comfortable booths and sofas, and a private room for groups. And we're happy to report that there are no rookie mistakes here, unlike our mixed experience at Zheng's first Mixing House outing, with this new venture carrying over the strengths of its sister branch and bolstering it with a range of classic cocktails (RMB 80-90) and more than 100 varieties of whiskey.
READ: Hot Concoctions: A Fiery Inventory of Beijing’s Spiciest Cocktails
As for those drinks, the Penicillin (RMB 90, pictured at top) is a mix of Laphroaig and an unnamed Scotch, with the addition of lemon juice to bring the tartness, honey and ginger syrup to balance with sweetness.
Our favorite was The Explorer (RMB 80). Using their earl grey tea-infused gin as the base, it is mixed with Disaronno Amaretto liqueur and lemon juice, and a spray of Laphroaig whiskey. This Explorer takes you on a long journey: first through whiskey smokiness, then bitterness, followed by the nutty bite of Amaretto liqueur, and finishing with the zesty and floral Earl Grey tea. It truly is an adventure in a cocktail.
If you're wanting to explore further, the Mixing House also has a secret drinks menu (give your best knowing wink to the bartender). It's also brimming with surprises, including Trump’s Summer, obviously named after the contentious US Commander in Chief thanks to a telling bouffant wig of cotton candy. Ours just happened to be light pink, but the color and shape vary according to the bartender’s whim. The green drink underneath features grapefruit, lemon juice, and Santory Midori melon liqueur. The result is a fruity punch with a hint of cotton candy; too sugary for our liking but perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.
There are also a handful of bar snacks to keep you going, such as french fries, cured ham, and fried chicken cooked using an air fryer as a healthier alternative. The location is not exactly glamorous but it is down to earth and means that those who live out east now have an option before they consider enduring the traffic to get an expertly mixed cocktail downtown.
The Mixing House (Chaoyang Joy City)
Daily 8pm-3am. 117, Bldg 20, Litian'e North Area, Yacheng Erli, Ganluyuan Zhongjie, Chaoyang District (150 1151 7321)
朝阳区甘露园中街雅成二里天鹅湾北区20号楼底商117号
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Photos: Tracy Wang
