10 of the best spots for mulled wine in Beijing
Beijing's winter may well and truly be in full swing, but that doesn't mean your drinking days are over. Spicy and warming, mulled wine is the perfect tonic for winter blues – and tastes like Christmas in a glass. The best part? Every recipe's slightly different – pay a visit to these spots to find your favourite. It’s for science, really.
Arrow Factory x Vineyard Café
Arrow Factory, reliable Liangmaqiao brewpub and soon-to-be server of British roast dinners, adds a whole bevy of TCM-approved spices to the winter classic, including orange, lemon, ginger, cloves, star anise, cinnamon, apple juice, orange juice and brandy. A heady mix perhaps, but the ginger makes for a not-unwelcome addition, particularly for those feeling slightly under the weather. 40RMB
Black Moth
Definitely not one for the purists, the cocktail connoisseurs at Black Moth have given mulled wine a Southeast Asian twist, resulting in a cocktail that's both full-bodied and playful. Made with pandan, wine, vermouth and glutinous rice, who says you can't carb-load while drinking? 90RMB
Boxing Cat Brewery
Another one for the adventurous, Boxing Cat Brewery's mulled wine lists vodka, passion fruit purée, orange curaçao, cloves and yoghurt as ingredients in its (very) unconventional recipe. Part of the brewery's new Christmas menu, diners can also load up on roast turkey plus sides (158RMB), chestnut and apple soup (48RMB) or a spiced pumpkin, chocolate and gingerbread trifle (48RMB, also pictured above). 65RMB
Café Zarah
Gulou mainstay Café Zarah has just launched an entire seasonal menu dedicated to hot cocktails, with hot toddies (40RMB), hot chocolates (45RMB) and even hot Old Fashioneds (50RMB) getting a look in. Its mulled wine offering is in the vein of a traditional glühwein – perfectly spiced without any fancy flourishes. Head down every night from 6 to 9pm to enjoy happy hour on all cocktails, house wines and prosecco. 40RMB
Gung Ho! Pizza
Arguably better known for its tasty pizzas and excellent vegan options than naughty tipples, Gung Ho! gets in on the festive action with a new menu of cheeky hot drinks to try alongside its carby creations. Served only at its Sanlitun branch, Gung Ho!'s mulled wine features cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and star anise, among other secret spices. 50RMB
Jing A
Go for the beer and barbecue, stay for the no-frills mulled wine served in a glass at the Xingfucun hotspot. Want more? Try the aromatic and comforting spiced apple cider. 50RMB
Little Creatures
In a shrewdly clever showcase of brewing expertise, Australian hopheads Little Creatures are serving up mulled beer instead of wine this winter. Made with orange, lemon, apple, cinnamon, star anise and cider, this winter warmer also features Randall beer as its base, a festive brew that's made by infusing Little Creatures' own White Rabbit Dark Ale with hawthorn, star anise and cinnamon for 12 hours. The result? A delightfully drinkable option for the wine averse – and one of the city's best-priced options. 20RMB
Mesh
Not all mulled wines are created equal, and with the additions of crème de cassis and port, plus the requisite flavourings of lemon peel, cloves, cinnamon and star anise, Mesh's up-market take on mulled wine is intoxicatingly complex. 68RMB
Q Mex
Made with characteristic Mexican flair, Q Mex's mulled wine features agave nectar, brandy, oranges and a mixture of spices. Prefer a chilled cocktail? Try their apple pie margarita (65RMB), sprinkled with an actual pie crust crumble topping. Served at all three Q Mex locations. 45RMB
Slow Boat
Served in generously large portions with a simple sprig of rosemary, Slow Boat's mugs of mulled wine are perfect for wrapping frostbitten fingers around. For the ultimate pre-bedtime treat, try the Trans-Siberian Tea (50RMB) made with black tea and served alongside homemade jam and a shot of vodka. Head down to Slow Boat from 4 to 8pm on Monday to Friday to enjoy both drinks at the happy hour price of 40RMB. 50RMB
Thirsty for more? Chaos, super sly grog shop and quite possibly Beijing's smallest bar, is doing its part to thoroughly sozzle Liangmaqiao residents with its laidback range of bevs (all served in plastic cups, of course) including mulled wine (40RMB), hot toddies (40RMB) and Irish coffee (40RMB). Meanwhile, cool new kid on the Xingfucun block 50/50 is offering its own low-key version (80RMB) with syrah, spices, orange and apple slices, plus spiced rum. Alternatively, head to Gulou institution Modernista to sip on mulled wine (45RMB) while catching plenty of live music, or make your way to Sanlitun café Tienstiens to enjoy, in this case, vin chaud (59RMB) while snuggled under a starry dome.
Want more booze news? Hit 'Read more' at the bottom of the page.
You might have missed
China's official 2019 holiday dates announced, officially
What kind of guy swims a freezing lake? Meet a Houhai swimmer
More from Time Out Beijing
The wiener takes it all: 3 to try at new hot dog joint Super Dog
Check out our latest issue
November-December: Bag the lot at Beijing's best shops