Shanghai's best winter drinks(2)
3. Hot whiskey
Where: KABB
Price: RMB 50
What you’re drinking: Whiskey, hot water and lemon
KABB appeals to the homesick Westerner by providing the straightforward food and drink which reminds him of home.
Like their burgers and wraps, KABB’s Hot Whiskey couldn’t be any simpler, but that’s no criticism.
Enjoying a hot glass of booze while surrounded by kindred spirits is all that’s required to hold off the winter doldrums. Why complicate things?
Kabb, Unit 1, Building 5, Xintiandi North Block, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu 太仓路181弄5号楼1室, 近黄陂北路, +86 21 3307 0798, Sunday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-2 a.m.; Friday-Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 a.m.
4. German glühwein
Where: Cotton’s
Price: RMB 58
What you're drinking: Red wine, cloves, cinnamon and a “mystery shot”
Perhaps the best venue to enjoy a warm beverage, Cotton’s fireplace gives the place a ski lodge vibe.
The secret “mystery shot” provides much needed heat to this Teutonic winter evergreen.
The bar has a large selection of board games -- this mulled wine is the perfect complement to those long games of "Risk".
Cotton's (Anting Lu branch), 132 Anting Lu, near Jiangguo Xi Lu 安亭路132号, 近建国西路 +86 21 6433 7995, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
5. Irish coffee
Where: The Chalet
Price: RMB 40
What you're drinking: Hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and cream
Given the establishment’s name, it’s only fitting that Shanghai-native Denis Ni’s bar serves an entire menu of cold weather relief.
This straightforward Irish Coffee provides a nice jolt for those not willing to hibernate through the upcoming months. But there’s no rush once comfortably settled in this low-key lounge.
Dip into The Chalet's fabulously gooey cheese fondue (RMB 120 serves two; RMB 200 serves four) while taking in a flick during the Sunday afternoon movie sessions starting at 3:30 p.m.
The Chalet, 385 Yongjia Lu, near Taiyuan Lu 永嘉路385号, 近太原路, +86 21 3401 0958, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
6. Hot rum
Where: Constellation 2
Price: RMB 60
What you're drinking: Myers's dark rum, lemon juice, honey, clove and cinnamon stick
No surprise that Shanghai’s top bar served the best warmer of the bunch.
Bartender Andy Liu says that “in winter, so many people come in here wanting warm drinks” and he's happy to deliver his prescription to cure the winter cold.
Perfectly balanced, the lemon juice cuts through the honey to counter the sweetness that befouls so many seasonally festive cocktails.
Sidle up to the bar, take two and call us in the morning.
Constellation 2, 33 Yongjia Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu 永嘉路33号, 近茂名南路, +86 21 5465 5993, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. (or later)
John Coughlan is a California native, Irish national, and longtime resident of Shanghai’s former French Concession.
