Our 10 Favorite Drinks of 2017
For better or worse, we had A LOT of drinks this past year (ya know, part of the job). And while there are plenty of goofy cocktails that cost too much and taste like shit, there are some real stunners. Here are 10 drinks we tried in 2017 that are worth reminiscing about as the year comes to a close.
Under Trump’s Wall Mule @ Dry Goods
Price: RMB 78
Address: 160 Taiyuan Lu, Marshall Mansions, Basement, near Yongjia Lu
Hours: Tues-Sat, 8pm-2am
Tel: 021 6433 9359
We could say we loved this drink for the name alone, but it was actually good enough to be a favorite regardless. Under Trump’s Wall Mule is Dulce Vida Blanco, Ginger Concentrate, Lime Juice, Ginger beer, and of course some Jalapenos. RMB 78.
Superspritz @ Funkadeli
Price: RMB 60
Address: A Mansion, 291 Fumin Lu
Hours: Daily, 11am-1am
Tel: 021 6170 1318
Spritz’ came out of nowhere this past year to dominate a bizarre number of bars and house parties, and seemingly became the preferred drink option of every single female in Shanghai. Perhaps you have Funkadeli to thank for that, with the enormous fishbowl they call a 'Superspritz.' Aperol or Campari, prosecco DOC, soda, orange and olives make up this big beauty that we couldn’t help but love as well.
The Bechroni @ Tailor Bar
Price: RMB 90
Address: 1F, Lane 6, 1220 Huashan lu
Hours: 5pm-2am
Tel: 021 5256 9977
Much to our delight, Tailor Bar recently reopened in the Le Sun Chine, a boutique hotel on Huashan lu that was built it 1932. Along with oodles of style and cocktail expertise, they also offer the ‘Bechroni,’ a refreshing spin on the negroni that contains Bechrovka, tequila blanca and cocchi Americana.
Gin Fizz @ Candor
Price: RMB 158
Address: 57 Maoming lu
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 7pm-2am
Tel: 021 5425 3696
A Gin Fizz at Candor is no joke. Sure, the price tag might give you pause, but consider A) it’s as good of a cocktail as you’ll ever taste, and B) it takes about 15 minutes of shaking for the drink to be done correctly. You’ll probably notice there are 6 giant light bulbs behind the bar at Candor, these are in place to signal to customers if they are too busy to make them.
All the Tiger Shots @ Tiger Bites/Flask
Price: RMB 35-58
Address: 108 North Xiangyang Lu
Hours: Daily, 8am-2am
Tel: 021 3669 6833
The new Flask has a million cocktails we love, but perhaps our favorite part of the whole experience is theTiger Bite Shots at the front of house. These beautiful little mini cocktail/shots are as deadly as they are visually stunning.
Anything @ Beer Lady
Address: No. 1010 Kaixuan Lu
Hours: 24hr
Tel: 021 6218 6891
Yea, it's not technically a drink, we know. But we just can't help highlight this wonderful woman doing the lord's work in Shanghai this year. Beer Lady opened not one, but two MASSIVE beer... stores? Supermarkets? Malls? Whatever you want to call them, these 24hr beer utopias made us weep with joy in 2017.
Bloody Mary @ Diner
Price: RMB 68
Address: 145 Wuyuan Lu
Hours: Wed-Mon, 10am-10pm, closed Tuesdays
Tel: 021 6416 1678
Pretty much anything at diner is worth highlighting, and the Bloody Mary is no exception. It’s made using most of the ingredients you’d expect in a perfect Mary, along with a garnish of olives, banana peppers, celery, and the real gem that makes it stand tall above the rest: homemade spam.
Japanese Salad @ The Bunker by Flask
Price: RMB 95
Address: No 22, 181 Taicang Lu
Hours: Daily, 11am-2am
Tel: 021 5382 1915
We recently wrote an article about some of Shanghai’s cocktails containing weird ingredients. And while we were expecting most of them to taste gross, The Japanese Salad caught us completely off guard. Dried fish and prune infused apple vodka, rice wine, carrot juice, porcini syrup, lemon juice and tofu foam might not sound like a mix that would work, but oh boy does it ever.
A Mojito @ KFC
Price: RMB 13
Maybe not the BEST drink we had this past year, but certainly the weirdest and most daring. KFC launched some sort of Mojito campaign, covering the entirety of one of several locations with Mojito posters and cut outs. We went to try it but discovered it contained no alcohol, so, of course, we went to a nearby 7-11 and bought some rum to jazz it up.
Gambling Grasshopper @ The Magnolia Room
The Magnolia Room was one of the cooler venues we came across this year. As the little ‘bar within a bar’ at Tour, it offered guests an sophisticated, yet quirky drink menu and jazzy vibes to match. Sadly, Tour, along with Magnolia Room, closed towards the end of this year. Gone but not forgotten! Especially this 'Gambling Grasshopper,' which featured vodka, crème de cacao, crème de menthe, milk, and came served with a white chocolate mahjong tile for RMB 95.
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