Drinks That’ll Warm You Up for Beijing’s Winter

It may only be autumn, but we’re ready to say its winter with the recent chill the city has had as of late. With that in mind, it's about time to swap out the cold and iced drinks for some more warming options.

Thus, in comes our first list of said spots to get some warming tipples, be it a hot toddy or hot chocolate. This isn’t an exhaustive list, we’ll have a few more as winter menus come out, but these are five of our favorite spots come colder weather for the following drinks.

Hot Toddy or Masala Tea at Dastaan 

Dastaan has a mean Hot Toddy (RMB 58), infusing honey and cinnamon with buttery, caramel-tinged Old Monk Rum, for a bit of a changeup from classic whiskey. It’s also available buy one get one free throughout winter, meaning you can warm up with a friend or loved one (or just get two for yourself).

We’re also big fans of Dastaan’s Masala Tea (RMB 30), an Indian-style milk tea with a heap of spices from cardamom to cloves and more. It’s our favorite thing to drink to warm up before or after a meal.

Dastaan Indian Cuisine
3/F, Sanlitun SOHO 5 Shopping Mall, 8 Gongti Beilu
朝阳区工人体育场北路8号三里屯SOHO-5号商场3层
Hours: Daily, 11.30am-10.30pm
Contact: 150 0135 8663

Gluehwine or Pumpkin Spiced Latte at Zarah

It’s not quite time for the return of all the decadent options on Café Zarah’s winter drinks menu, but in the meantime, we can live with their autumn options, some of which are just as fitting for cold winter days.

First up, Zarah has welcomed the return of their famous Gluehwine (pictured) – secret recipe! – as well as the marshmallow-laden Pumpkin Spiced Latte and “Pipa” Rooibos Tea.

Zarah
46 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区鼓楼东大街46号
Hours: Sun-Thu, 9am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 9-1am
Contact: 010 8403 9807

Mulled Wine & Hot Cocoa at Slowboat

Slowboat has unveiled new hot drinks this year in the form of a Mulled Wine (RMB 50) and Hot Cocoa (RMB 55) option available at their Maizidian and Shichahai locations. The latter is a classic warmed wine infused with cinnamon, cloves, and other spices, while the former is your rich, creamy, cocoa with real chocolate and topped with whipped cream. You can also choose to add a shot of rum to your coca (RMB 60 in total) for an extra kick.

Slowboat Maizidian Brewpub
78 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区麦子店街78号
Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11-2am
Contact: 010 6592 6362

Slowboat Shichahai Taproom
Bldg 2, Inside Hehuashichang Business Street, 51 Di’anmen Dajie
西城区地安门大街51号荷花市场内商业街2幢
Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11-2am
Contact: 130 5140 5508

Mulled Cider at Jing-A

While they’ve also got a nice Mulled Wine, our favorite hot beverage at Jing-A is definitely their Mulled Cider (both RMB 48). Essentially the makings of a mulled wine, but with the wine swapped out for a lighter shade of red in the form of apple cider, it’s an easy one to drink with slight sour notes and a lovely green apple garnish to boot. Both drinks will be available at all Jing-A locations from Nov 1 onward. 

Jing-A (Longfusi branch)
38 Qiangliang Hutong, Bldg 19, Dongcheng District
东城区钱粮胡同38号19号楼
Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11-2am
Contact: 186 1409 9689

Hot Chocolate at Las Musas

Last but not least is Las Musas, whose Hot Chocolate (RMB 40) is some of the best in the capital. It’s made with real chocolate and milk, resulting in a silky texture and boundless chocolate flavor. Roasted chopped almonds and a dash of cinnamon give it extra flavor and bite. What’s more, you can opt to spike it with a shot of tequila for an extra RMB 25.

Las Musas
6 Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区南三里屯路6号
Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11-2am
Contact: 130 4120 2908

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Images: Unsplash, courtesy of the venues