Countdown to Summer with Shanghai’s 10 Best Cocktails

Countdown to Summer with Shanghai’s 10 Best Cocktails
By Andrea Scarlatelli , eChinacities.com

Nothing says summer like lounging around in the sun, lazily sipping on a cocktail that makes the unbearable heat of Shanghai just a bit more bearable. While there is certainly no shortage of places in which to imbibe (especially outdoors) here, there are certain drink concoctions that scream “summer!” From classic oldies-but-goodies (you can never go wrong with Margaritas) to new kids on the block (anyone care for a Rock & Rye?), now is the perfect time to take a tasting tour of Shanghai’s best summer cocktails.

1) Strawberry Cheesecake MartiniView In Map
A heavenly combination that tastes just like melted strawberry ice cream, the Strawberry Cheesecake Martini at Chicha can also pull double duty as a dessert. Made with a combination of vanilla vodka, fresh chopped strawberries, and generous spoonfuls of mascarpone cheese all blended together in creamy harmony, it is then topped with a another dollop of cheese and a mini spear of strawberries. I believe the word you’re looking for is “indulgent.”

Add: Sinan Mansions, Block 33, 47 Nong No. 33 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, French Concession, Shanghai
地址:上海市卢湾区思南路47弄33号, 近复兴西路
Tel: 021 6418 0760
Opening times: Sun-Thurs, 12:00-01:00; Fri-Sat, 12:00-02:00

2) Mint JulepView In Map
This classic American Southern drink takes on surprising new life at one of Shanghai’s favourite “Southern” restaurants. Southern Belle’s Mint Julep is the right combination of mint, bourbon, sugar, and water blended nicely in an old-fashioned glass. While purists will decry their use of mint muddling, most will find that it gives a cool, refreshing taste that’s perfect in the heat.

Add: 433 Changle Lu, near Xiangyang Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
地址:上海市徐汇区长乐路433号, 近襄阳路
Tel: 021 5403 3218
Opening times: Daily 11:00-02:00

3) Spice SmackView In Map
Not for the faint-hearted, the Spice Smack at Mesa Manifesto will have you sweating from the inside out – in a good way. With chili-infused gin as its base and a fresh chili pepper for garnish (run it around the rim of the glass before you take a sip for an extra kick), it’s a spicy, limey concoction that will pucker your lips before numbing them. In other words, a delightful combination of citrus and spice.

Add: 748 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
地址:上海市静安区巨鹿路748号, 近富民路
Tel: 021 6289 9108
Opening times: Daily; 11:00-15:00; 18:00-23:00

4) Rhubarb MartiniView In Map
Say what you will about the food (the reviews have been mixed, to put it mildly) but one thing is for certain - David Laris’s eco-friendly project, Downstairs, can serve up one mean Rhubarb Martini! Housed inside the URBN hotel, this sweet and tart cocktail combines vodka, rhubarb juice, sugar, and perhaps a hint of lime juice. This results in an earthy, rustic flavour that is truly unique.

Add: 1/F, URBN Hotel, 183 Jiaozhou Lu, near Beijing Lu, Puxi, Shanghai
地址:上海市胶州路183号, 近北京路
Tel: 021 5172 1300
Opening times: Daily 06:30-22:30

5) MargaritaView In Map
While Margaritas have long since been adopted by cuisines other than Mexican restaurants, the fact remains that Shanghai’s best can still be found in a semi-authentic location – Maya’s take on this classic involves Grand Marnier, Rives Spanish Triple Sec, Olmeca Gold tequila and their signature secret sour blend. While I personally like to stick to the classics, order the strawberry or mango varieties for a generous addition of fruit puree to the already tasty mix.

Add: 2/F, Grand Plaza Club House, 568 Nong Julu Lu, near Shanxi Nan Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
地址:上海市静安区巨鹿路568弄 四方新城俱乐部2楼, 近陕西南路
Tel: 021 6289 6889
Opening times: Mon-Fri 17:00-22.30; Sat-Sun, 11:00-21:30

6) Sake CocktailView In Map
Haiku by Hatsune specializes in a variety of Sake Cocktails, all of which use that key ingredient as a building block towards subtle and unique flavoured drinks. My favourite involves sake and plum wine – an initial burst of sweet plum flavour instantly dissolves into the creamy, almost musty aftertaste of sake. This creates a delicate balance that is wonderfully apropos of the flowery spring and summer seasons. 

Add: 28B Taojiang Lu, near Hengshan Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
地址:上海市徐汇区桃江路28号-乙, 近衡山路
Tel: 021 6445 0021
Opening times: 11:30-23:00

7) SangriaView In Map
Now that the debacle of Azul’s announced closing (Will they? Won’t they?) seems to have come to a close we can stop worrying about losing Shanghai’s best place for that perfect summer cocktail – Sangria! Red and white wine-based varieties are both available, with red being the classic – and oft preferred – choice. Expect a pleasantly rich punch chock full of freshly chopped fruit that’s the next best thing to strolling through an orchard clutching a hand-blender.

Add: 18 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
地址:上海市徐汇区东平路18号, 近衡山路
Tel: 021 6433 1172
Opening times: 11:00-01:00

8) In the CloudsView In Map
I’ll be honest – I have no idea what is in this drink. As far as I can tell, it’s a frozen blended drink involving freshly sliced mangoes, blue curacao, and many other kinds of alcohol. What I do know is it’s icy (drink it too fast and you’ll get brain freeze!), delicious, and huge. For some reason, In the Clouds isn’t listed on all the drink menus, but ask any bartender at People 7 for the “drink for two” and they’ll know what you mean. The bonus? You get to keep the 2 1/2 foot tall martini glass when you’re finished!

Add: 805 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu, Shanghai
地址:上海市静安区巨鹿路805号, 近富民路
Tel: 021 5404 0707
Opening times: 11:30-14:00; 18:00-00:00

9) Bloody MaryView In Map
Everyone’s favorite Taikang Lu cafe is a favourite for a reason – and I’m betting it’s largely because of their mean Bloody Mary. It’s admittedly difficult to find a decent one in Shanghai, which is why Kommune’s version is such a welcome respite. Thick with rich tomato juice, tabasco, horseradish, and garnished with copious amounts of cracked black pepper, it is definitely hot, hot, hot! Consider yourself warned.

Add: Tianzifang, Taikang Lu 210 Nong, near Sinan Lu, French Concession, Shanghai
地址:上海市田子坊泰康路210弄, 近思南路
Tel: 021 6466 2416
Opening times: Sun-Thurs, 20:00-22:00am; Fri-Sat 20:00-01:00

10) Rock & Rye View In Map
Apothecary’s Rock & Rye creation is a welcome addition for all those who love a citrus cocktail with a kick. A combination of rye whiskey, cane sugar, aromatic bitters, lime juice, and topped with a twist of lemon, this has all the tartness of a “girly” drink combined with the richness of rye. In other words, it’s the perfect summer drink for just about everyone.

Add: Sinan Mansions, Block 2, 4/F, 507 Nong Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Chongqing Lu, French Concession, Shanghai
地址:上海市复兴中路507弄2号楼4楼, 近重庆路
Tel: 021 3368 9419
Opening times: Wed-Sun, 18:00-late

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