10 Shanghai Bartenders Share Their Favorite Drinks

There are approximately a million bars in Shanghai, all offering something different, but actually mostly the same. So we thought what better way to find out what’s hot and what’s not in the bars in Shanghai by asking the many bartenders out there.

We spoke to ten bartenders from some of the most well known bars in Shanghai to get the lowdown on what drinks they love to make and what they themselves love to drink.

Johan Holmberg

Johan has been creating cocktails for 23 years! He is the man behind the very fun Wonderland, a bar themed around Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Favorite drink to make?

“I love to make a drink called Wonderland Rule, which is served in a tea cup.”

Favorite drink?

“I have a lot of favorite drinks, but right now I love to drink a Chivas Sour.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“They make a great Chivas Sour at Logan’s Punch.”

Wonderland address: 1311 Xinzha Road

Eddy Yang

Eddy is the man behind The Tailor Bar and Above the Globe. He has been a mixologist for the past 16 years, having previously lived and worked in London.

Favorite drink to make?

“Old Fashioned.”

Favorite drink?

“Whiskey on the rocks and Gin & Tonic.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“Most good cocktail bars in Shanghai or everywhere, I guess it's simply a tasty drink.”

Above the Globe address:  1013 West Beijing Road

Logan R. Brouse

Logan is the owner of Logan’s Punch bar and has been a mixologist for 15 years. For a good time get over to Logan’s bar and have a drink with the man himself.

Favorite drink to make?

“The Old Fashioned because with its classic recipe it lends itself to lots of interpretations of its five key elements - liquor, citrus, water, spice and sugar.”

Favorite drink?

“Either a shot of Fernet Branca or Jameson on the rocks.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“Logan's Punch of course!”

Logan’s Punch address:  99 Taixin Road

Michael Cichon

Michael has been involved in the F&B industry for 15 years. You can find him at Hop Project brewing up some special beers.

Favorite drink to make?

“My favorite drink to make at the moment is really the Michelada. It just is great in the summer heat, incorporates beer and it's something other than a glass full of sugar.”

Favorite drink?

“I like to keep it simple, cold, and well executed. I’m a sucker for a pre dinner Vesper martini.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“I have been really happy with the drinks served at Shake and at Hey Day. I would like to mention when I have a hankering for bourbon or scotch I have really enjoyed drinking at The Cannery, though I tend to do one of their whiskey based cocktails and end up drinking Four Roses on the rocks.”

Hop Project address: 372 Dagu Road

Mack Ross

Mack is the head barman at Tour bar, which offers drinks that come with a snack themed with the drink. He’s been working in bars for over 10 years.

Favorite drink to make?

“A Martini.”

Favorite drink?

“Maybe a realllllllly really good Daiquiri.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“Well, Tour of course haha!”

Tour address: 462 Changle Road

TK

Japanese barman Kaoru Takii, known as TK, has been a mixologist for eight years. He is the head barman at El Ocho.

Favorite drink to make?

“Sidecar.”

Favorite drink?

“Gimlet.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“I like this drink from Sober Company.”

El Ocho address:  99 Taixin Road

Jay T

Jay has been a mixologist for eight years. For those into the Latin vibes, you can find him at Revolucion Cocktail working hard and having fun.

Favorite drink to make?

“Havana 7 Old Fashioned.”

Favorite drink?

“Negroni.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“Revolucion Cocktail bar of course!”

Revolucion Cocktail address: 98 Yanpin Road

Ryohei ‘Roger’ Yamagishi

Roger is barman/barista at Sober Café. He’s been a mixologist for about five years. He is from Japan and has also worked in Taiwan.

Favorite drink to make?

“Gimlet (Classic version) and Coffee Cocktail (Original version).”

Favorite drink?

“Manhattan.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“Sober Company! I have no time to go for a drink in another place haha…”

Sober Company address: 99 Yadang Road

Geo Valdivieso

Geo is a partner at The Captain bar on the Bund and previously worked at UNICO as head barman. He has been a mixologist for the past five years.

Favorite drink to make?

“Anything not classic.”

Favorite drink?

“Rum on the rocks.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“The Captains haha! Speak Low are very neat in cocktails, this is a great place to have this drink.”

The Captain address: 37 Fuzhou Road

Chris Foste a.k.a The Bearded Bear

Foste has been a barman in Shanghai for three years. Previously he worked on Yongkang Lu and at the Rooster in Jingan. Now he is a bar consultant.

Favorite drink to make?

“I love making an Old Fashioned with brown sugar cubes.  I enjoy making egg white Whiskey Sours, getting that egg foam just right is a beautiful thing.”

Favorite drink?

“Old fashioned's are my favorite drink. Whiskey, sugar, bitters: So simple and gets the job done.”

Best place to buy this drink?

“El Ocho makes a great Old Fashioned and Logan's Punch does a fantastic Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour. For a fruity tweak on the Whiskey Sour, check out Wonderland for a Strawberry Whiskey Sour.”

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