18 Ways to Get Drunk This Autumn

Autumn is entirely too short in Shanghai. We suggest you lament the passing of fresh, crisp days into the cold, dark days of winter with the fall flavors of these cocktails. From the new hotness, Beach House, to established favorite UTC and everything in between, Shanghai’s bartenders have made sure you have something special to tipple this season. 

The Antique by Taste Buds

A Chinese take on the classic sherry cocktail incorporating osmanthus (RMB88) 

Address: 44 Sinan Lu (near Gaolan Lu)

Hours: Daily, 7pm to 2am

Tel: [phone]

As Antique proprietor Daniel An will tell you, osmanthus is the first sign of autumn in Shanghai and the Euphemia has just the right amount of the floral flavor to jazz up the typical sherry, vermouth, bitters iteration. 

Jasmine Huangjiu (RMB 85) served in a small teacup yet big on flavor

This beverage utilizes the warming properties of huangjiu in a cocktail with jasmine scented tea, a bit of vermouth and the sharp medicinal tang of ginseng. 

The Beach House

Golden October (RMB 70) is a gin-based, vermouth flavored cocktail

Address: 758 Julu Lu (near Fumin Lu)

Hours: Daily, 3pm-midnight during soft opening 

Tel: [phone]

The Beach house gives us a gin cocktail with a seasonal spin due to the addition of osmanthus. The addition of cherry bitters and martin bianco balances things out. 

The Beach House’s mulled wine (RMB 80) smells like Christmas memories

Nothing warms up cold hands and hearts like fragrant mulled wine and The Beach House does a version with the unusual, yet inspired, addition of rosemary. On happy hour, from 4pm-8pm, expect a 50% markdown.

The Captain

An Afternoon in Paris (RMB80) and a nice view are the perfect autumn indulgence.

Address: 37 Fuzhou Lu, Captain Hostel, 6/F (near Sichuan Zhong Lu)

Hours: Daily, 5pm – 1am 

Tel: [phone]

This Camus VSOP cognac based autumn warmer is rich with citrus from an orange skin pierced with cloves, lemon juice and lemon oil. Additional flavor and sweetness come from star anise and honey reduction respectively. 

Smoky Story (RMB 80) is a grown up take on your inner child’s favorite hot cocoa. 

We like hot chocolate, but we love ours spiked with a liberal dose of Wild Turkey bourbon and Talisker 10 years and a dash of 1883 vanilla syrup and angostura bitters. Make sure to eat your bourbon soaked marshmallows. 

Colca

Altos Macho (RMB 88) is a strong and fragrant cocktail has undertones of clove and licorice and overtones of booze.

Address: 199 Hengshan Lu, Yongping Lane, Unit 2201, 2/F (near Yongjia Lu)

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:30pm to 1am; Weekend Brunch, 11am-3pm

Tel: [phone]

We are told that this is a gentleman’s cocktail, but ladies who appreciate big flavors (like us) will like this just fine. It’s a bold mix of Tequila Altos Olmeca, Cocchi Apertivo, Benedictine DOM and Pernod. 

The Lady in Red (RMB 68) takes advantage of Shanghai’s berry season

It took us awhile to get used to strawberry season in Winter, but we are on board with this vodka with fruit flavors. Strawberry, pineapple and lime are just what you need for those unseasonably warm days we are having. 

Flask

Tiger Drinks Vanilla (RMB 58) is a rich brandy based drink

Address: 108 Xiangyang Lu (near Huaihai Lu)

Hours: Daily, 8pm to 2am (4am on weekends)

Tel: [phone]

Tiger Drinks Vanilla reminds us of holiday eggnog done with much more style and sophistication. It’s a relatively small beverage but full of flavor, and brandy. 

Tiger Drinks Milk (RMB 48) is has a classic combination of whiskey and Bailey’s. 

Who doesn’t love a bit of whiskey and Bailey’s on a chilly day? Or any day, really. The addition of black raspberry liqueur is a little something extra that really makes the drink memorable.  

Funkadeli

Mulled wine (RMB 50) is the quintessential winter warmer

Address: 291 Fumin Lu (near Changle Lu)

Hours: Daily, 7pm to 2am

Tel: [phone]

Funkadeli does a classic version of mulled wine that is perfect for drinking on their fabulous outdoor terrace. Never mind the cold, you won’t notice it after a few sips, or glasses. 

Ginger orange whiskey sour (RMB 60) is a zippy a combination of fresh ginger and whiskey. 

Everything we love about autumn is in this drink: the sharp bite of ginger, sweet tangy orange and most importantly, whiskey. It’s mixed with an egg white for that pretty, pretty foam and topped with bitters.

Logan’s Punch

Rakia hot spiked cider (RMB75) has a crisp apple favor with a boozy backbone. 

Address: 99 Taixing Lu, Zhong Yuan, Bldg A, 2/F, Room 202 (near Wujiang Lu)

Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 6pm to 1am; Friday 6pm to 2:30am; Saturday, 7pm to 2:30am

Tel: [phone]

Logan Brouse has taken Rakia, a Serbian, cinnamon flavored plum liquor, and concocted a lovely hot spiked cider with it. It has all the flavors of apple pie thanks to Zeffer apple cider.

Mom’s mulled wine (RMB 75)

The Mom's mulled wine also benefits from a liberal spike of Rakia for a mulled, California cabernet that’s different enough to stand apart, yet familiar enough to remind you of mom. 

Lychee

Hot Lychee Chocolate (68RM) is a sweet night cap

Address: 49 FuxingLu, No. 2 (near Wulumuqi Zhong Lu)

Hours: Daily, 6pm to 2am

Tel: [phone]

This is one of Cotton Ding’s favorite autumn cocktails and after trying this gentle mix of hot cocoa with dark rum and cognac we understand exactly why.

Cinnamon and apple sour (RMB 78) is autumn in a coupe glass

This is a refreshing blend of cinnamon (smoked cinnamon syrup, cinnamon powder) and apple (apple eau du vie) flavors spiked with whiskey and tamed by a shake with egg white. 

UTC

The Baby Boss (RMB 90) is flavored with thyme and kumquat

Address: 64 Fengyang Lu, No. 2 (entrance on Fuxing Zhong Lu)

Hours: Daily, 6pm to 2am

Tel: [phone]

While you may be used to thyme flavoring your dinner and not your cocktails, we say this thyme tincture and kumquat marmalade with a dash of fresh lemon makes a wonderful rye whiskey tipple. 

The Thirstiest (RMB 85) aims to satisfy

This cocktail in a unique blend of earthy celery infused gin with house made green tea syrup and lime juice topped with Kentucky IPA for a nuanced splash of banana essence. 

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