The weather in Beijing is frightful. And since we’ve no place to go, let’s make some hot winterly drinks that the whole family will love.

Let’s start with something for the parents – mulled wine!

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of dry red wine (substitute grape juice for a child-friendly version or mommy mocktail)
• 2-3 sticks of cinnamon
• 10-15 whole cloves
• 3-4 whole star anise
• 1 orange
• Spiced rum or brandy (optional)

To Make:

1. Pour the red wine into a saucepan or small soup pot
2. Add the cinnamon sticks
3. Push the cloves into the orange and cut the orange into rounds, approximately ½ an inch thick. Add to the wine
4. Add the star anise
5. Let it simmer on low for 15 minutes (add rum/brandy if desired for the last 5 minutes)
6. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes, or as many as several hours (the longer it sits the more the cinnamon and cloves will infuse the wine)
7. Pour into your favorite mug and sip with people who make you happy!

For everybody – hot chocolate!

Ingredients:

• milk (you can either use whole milk, skimmed milk, or even almond milk)
• cocoa powder
• chocolate chips
• vanilla extract

To make:

• Place the milk of your choice in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar, and heat until warm.
• Once the milk is warm, add chocolate chips, whisking until they melt into the milk.
• Add a splash of vanilla extract.
• Serve immediately, topped with your favorite garnishes.

Images: Pexels

Happy Father’s Day! In celebration of today, we’d like to share a cocktail recipe with you – The Vasectomy.

This cocktail is brought to you by Ryan Reynolds, the Hollywood celebrity who does dry humor better than anyone.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 shots (50ml) x Gin
• 1 shot (25ml) x Cranberry Juice
• 3 shots (75ml) x Tonic
• 1/2 shot (10ml) x Lemon Juice

Recipe:

1. To make The Vasectomy get a tall and start by filling it with ice.
2. Measure and pour in to the glass the cranberry juice, tonic, and squeeze in some lemon juice.
3. Measure and add in the gin and then give the glass a good stir.
4. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Want a laugh or two? Check out Reynolds’s original video on YouTube. A few days after the video was posted, his pal Nick Cannon (dad of eight) made his own rendition of The Vasectomy.

But this yummy cocktail isn’t just for Hollywood celebrities. To help us celebrate this Father’s Day, Stevie Mac (from Beijing’s beloved MacDaddies) and his dog JonJon celebrate this special day with a parody of The Vasectomy.

And there you have it – The Vasectomy. Happy Father’s Day!

Images: Stevie Mac

I love having people over for food and drinks. There’s something extra special about welcoming friends into your home, as opposed to meeting them at a restaurant. It’s as if you’ve taken your friendship to a new level.

But of course, if you’re going to play host, you’ll also need to play chef and bartender. Don’t get me wrong, I love a great bottle of wine and cold beer, but if you really want to take your party planning to the next level, knowing how to make some killer cocktails will doubtlessly come in handy.

We’ve asked the mixologists over at Superfly for some cocktail recipes that’ll impress guests and strike up interesting conversations.

Superfly is known for their modern take on traditional Sichuan cuisine, as well as their over the top innovative cocktails that require some pretty sophisticated bar equipment. But fret not! They’ve simplified these for Jingkids readers, and everything can be made with a basic mixology set that any cocktail lover should have at home.

Yuzu Hi 柚子嗨

•  40ml Yuzu Shochu
•  20ml Taro Shochu
•  Top with Soda Water
•  Garnish with Grapefruit Peel

Use a highball glass to build this cocktail: Add yuzu shochu and taro shochu over ice, give the liquid a good stir, then top with soda water and garnish with a grapefruit peel.

S.L.S G&T 咸柠七汤力饮

•  45ml Gin
•  1 piece Chinese salty lime
•  5ml Lemon juice
•  5ml Simple syrup
•  90ml tonic water

Use a highball glass to build this cocktail: Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup over ice, give the liquid a good stir, then top with tonic water and garnish with a Chinese salty lime.

Arctic Ricky 北洋锐气

This one is slightly more complicated – we need to prepare a gin infused with herbs and spices. Here’s how to make that: We recommend using Peddler’s Gin, which can really compliment the flavors in the drink. Use a sous-vide machine if you have, but you can also simply let the ingredients infuse over time.

•  350ml Peddlers Gin
•  15g Lemongrass (diced)
•  20g Mandarin Peel
•  15g Tender Ginger (diced)
•  3g Dried Eucalyptus Leaf

Now, it’s time to actually make the Arctic Rickey:

•  45ml Herbs & spices infused Gin
•  100ml Arctic Ocean Soda

Banana Land 花果山

•  40ml Gin
•  10ml disaronno
•  20ml banana syrup
•  20ml lime juice
•  15g egg white

Using a shaker, mix all ingredients with ice, and then double strain the liquid into a rock glass with ice.

Find it at:
Superfly
1/F, The Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Road
三里屯路11号三里屯太古里北区瑜舍酒店一层
Tel: 6410 5220

Images: Uni You

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 November-December issue

As a self-professed bubble tea addict, it’s something of a routine to stop by a shop for a quick fix whenever I go out. And if you can relate, then you likely already know that there are always at least one, if not multiple bubble tea shops on every street in Beijing, each with their own unique flavors. But when it comes to picking the best one, well that’s a whole other story. So, in the name of journalism, I tried some of the most popular drinks from commonly seen bubble tea stores, and specifically, those in Wangjing. Below are my findings!

都可 Coco

Price: RMB 9-RMB 22
Accessibility: Ten locations in Wangjing

The bold, orange type of Coco can be spotted in almost every corner of a mall. The secret behind Coco’s popularity is its convenient locations and affordability. A cup of bubble tea costs as little as RMB 10. However, the most popular drink is undoubtedly the passion fruit tea (百香果双响炮 bǎi xiāng guǒ shuāng xiǎng pào), with sweet tapioca pearls and coconut jelly. The refreshing drink is priced at RMB 16 during the warmer seasons but raised to RMB 17 in the winter. This go-to drink for many is a must-try if you haven’t already!

一点点 Yi Dian Dian

Price: RMB 9-RMB 24
Accessibility: Five in Wangjing

Yi Dian Dian is known for using fresh milk in their milk teas. What sets them apart from other bubble tea shops on the cheaper side is that they sell a large variety of tea types including oolong, green tea, four seasons, caramel, and black tea, all at a low price. I enjoy going to Yi Dian Dian because they are generous with toppings, and most beverages come with free toppings to boot, which include different-sized pearls, coconut jelly, coffee jelly, tea jelly, pudding, beans, and more.

喜茶 Hey Tea

Price: RMB 19-RMB 33
Accessibility: Two in Wangjing

Generally speaking, I avoid Hey Tea and their ridiculously long lines. Even when I’ve tried to order online, the wait can be more than an hour. What’s more, the prices are outrageous. Nevertheless, given the brand’s enormous popularity I knew I had to try it, if for no other reason than to make sense of the hype. Hey Tea went viral after they started the cheese cap trend, so I decided to try the mango cheese cap drink. And as much as I hate to admit, it was amazing! It’s a little heavy, but the mango fruit chunks were fresh and sweet. So yeah, I get it. It’s well worth the wait and the money.

凑凑 Cou Cou

Price: RMB 20-RMB 26
Accessibility: Two in Wangjing

Cou Cou is actually a hot pot restaurant, similar to Xiabu Xiabu. However, in front of most of their locations is a drink stand selling all types of tea. Although their beverages usually run in excess of RMB 20, the tea quality is definitely worth it. They offer various tea types such as Da Hong Pao and Tie Guan Ying, and customizable add ons. If the classic bubble tea flavor is your thing, Cou Cou is the place for you!

Keep Reading! Bite-Size Beijing: Eating Your Way Through the City’s Street Foods

Images: Meredith Tung, Helen Chung, pexels

This year, the biggest change for milk tea lovers is that they can no longer drink from ordinary plastic straws.

It has been more than three months since the stringent plastic ban was officially implemented. At present, most tea shops in Beijing have replaced plastic straws with paper straws, which, while better for the environment, is disliked by their loyal consumers everywhere. On social media, the complaints about paper straws have gradually even overshadowed the discussion for environmental protection. Some people said, “The straw just rots in the cup.” “Drinking with a paper straw is like eating a toilet paper roll.” “The new straws have successfully made me quit drinking milk tea.”

• Difficult to Poke into the Cup with Paper Straws?

The paper straw is made by rolling paper into a tube. Although it feels hard, it’s still softer than plastic, making it difficult to poke through the plastic cover on top of the cup.

• Weird Taste with Paper Straws?
  

Some have even ended up drinking milk tea from a bowl

Some people may find paper straws to have a weird taste. Fun fact: that taste is caused by pulp. No wonder someone feels like chewing textbooks!

• Paper Straws Get Limp While Drinking?
  

When enjoying drinks, especially hot drinks, the paper straws will soften and even disintegrate in the cup. “The pleasure of a cup of milk tea used to last for two hours, but now I have to finish drinking it within half an hour, otherwise the straw will rot in my mouth.” said a milk tea lover.

But wait…Is paper straw really friendly to the environment?

The degradation cycle of plastic can be as long as hundreds of years, and it only takes 3 to 4 months for paper to be decomposed in the natural environment. This is why stores use paper straws instead of plastic ones. Paper straws are also made by felling trees and processing, and after use, they do not have the value of secondary use and cannot be recycled, which means they also need to be disposed of by landfill or incineration. Environmentally friendly paper straws are still not 100% environmentally friendly.

So, what about other materials? There are also many merchants who choose PLA straws. They can complete the degradation in as little as 90 days, and the experience of use is not much different from that of plastic straws. However, the cost of PLA straws is about twice that of paper straws, and the supply of raw materials is limited, making it difficult to promote on a large scale.

There are also some stores that take a different approach. For example, McDonald’s and Starbucks choose to use direct drinking cup lids. This perfect design directly eliminates the need for straws.

Moreover, some consumers choose to buy stainless steel straws, which can be reused. After all, the core of the use of plastic products is “disposable”, and the “plastic ban” aims to reduce the use of disposable products.

KEEP READING: Single-Use Plastic Bags Are Now Banned, Here Are 5 Reusable Alternatives

Photo: Pexels, Baidu Image，NetEase News，China Youth Daily

Congratulations! You’ve nearly gotten through another year!

And while Christmas may be over, that certainly doesn’t mean the holiday cheer has to be. After all, we’re not even in the thick of winter yet, what with January being the coldest month to sweep through Beijing. So for those of you who were gifted some wine, or have leftover bottles from the various holiday parties you hosted and attended, we can’t think of a better use than delicious, aromatic mulled wine. Simmer a pot of this stuff in your home and the whole place is guaranteed to smell of cinnamon and spice, a festive treat that’ll keep the spirit of the season lingering around well into the new year.

So put the kids to bed, pour yourself a mug, curl up on the sofa, and let another holiday season melt away like snow on the first day of a much anticipated Spring.

Mulled Wine

Ingredients

• 1 bottle red wine (a full-bodied wine like a Syrah or Malbec works best)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• half an orange studded with 3 cloves
• 1 vanilla pod halved lengthways
• 50ml Port
• 100ml fresh orange juice (no bits)
• 100g dark brown muscovado sugar

Method

1. Put the orange juice and sugar into a pan and stir.  Warm until they are fully blended.
2. Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, half orange studded with cloves, vanilla pod and leave to infuse for a minute.
3. Add the bottle of red wine and port and warm gently for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the orange and spices and serve warm.

Warming White

Ingredients

• 1 bottle fruity white wine (try a cheaper sauvignon blanc)
• 1 thick slice of fresh pineapple
• 1 lemon wedge
• 100g white sugar
• 1 tbsp runny honey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 100ml fresh pineapple juice

Method

1. Put the pineapple juice and sugar into a pan and stir.  Warm until they are fully blended.
2. Add the cinnamon stick, lemon wedge, runny honey, and half slice pineapple and leave to infuse for a minute.
3. Add the bottle of white wine and warm gently for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the orange and spices and serve warm.

Mulled Cider

Ingredients

• 500ml cider
• 200ml fresh apple juice
• 1 lemon and ginger herbal tea bag
• 50ml Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 heaped tbsp muscovado dark brown sugar
• half an orange studded with 3-4 cloves

Method

1. Put the apple juice and sugar into a pan and stir.  Warm together until they are fully blended.
2. Add the cinnamon stick and the half orange studded with cloves.
3. Then add the cider and Cointreau and warm gently.
4. Put in the lemon and ginger teabag and leave to infuse for 2 minutes and then remove.
5. Warm, do not boil, for 10 min so that all flavors infuse.
6. Serve warm.

Note: Never boil your wine as it will make the spices bitter and you’ll lose the booze! If pre-preparing, remove the spices and fruit and keep warm.

For a few non-alcoholic holiday drink recipes, check out our article from earlier this year.

Photos: Pixabay

Whether you are on your first or third trimester, there are a few things that you have come to expect while expecting. Some you might have been told by your OB-GYN, others passed down to you through folk wisdom by women who have come before you, and many more from your own rooting around on the internet. One thing though might be harder for most to contend with – the long list of ‘Don’ts’ you constantly have to keep in mind. For one, you are no longer allowed that lovely glass of wine at dinner or just after a long day of work. Sushi dates are now a big no-no. If you only had a passing acquaintance with fruits and veg, then your relationship is about to improve a whole lot, whether you want it to or not. And if you have a penchant for smoking, then put those Slim Jims down for the foreseeable future.

One chemical that we might have come to rely on more than others, however, is caffeine. We take it where we can get it, especially if you are now on the wrong side of 25. Whereas before, in the morning both your mind and body would jump out of bed ready for the day ahead, now your mind lags miles behind your body and you struggle to fully wake up long after you have left the comfort of our bed. That all important morning cup of joe might be hard to part with, but there are sound reasons as to why it might serve you well in the long run to find alternatives. For one, caffeine consumption has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriages as it reduces blood flow to the uterus. And even though there are those who insist that a cup or two a day won’t hurt you, you must also keep in mind that it doesn’t just affect you. Caffeine will travel through your bloodstream to the placenta and ultimately to the baby, whose liver isn’t developed enough yet to detoxify it out of their system. The same can be said of expectant mothers  whose livers are working overtime during pregnancy. Caffeine in the system works to overload an already overworked liver. This means it might linger longer in your system and subsequently disturb your sleep patterns at night. Caffeine is also known to work as a diuretic which might increase an already high frequency of having to use the bathroom in your present condition.

But seeing as your life and productivity need not be adversely affected by your pregnancy or the lack of that shot of caffeine in your day, here are a few alternatives that are good not only for expectant moms, but for those who are trying to break their dependency on caffeine.

Green tea 

The science behind what makes tea as a whole now considered a “superfood” is expansive. Your regular cup of tea has about half the amount of caffeine found in a regular cup of coffee. The short and sweet of it is tea in general is rich in polyphenols which are responsible for tea’s exceptional antioxidant properties. It also works to keep the gut and the heart healthy. Green tea is particularly known for its antioxidant properties. A polyphenol specially found in tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been found to lower anxiety and is therefore therapeutic. This, unlike the heart-racing effects of a caffeine-laced drink, is a welcome relief. Have in mind that it has lower and not zero caffeine so don’t go overboard.

Hot Water

If you have been in China long enough then you understand this as a running gag. This simple drink is prescribed for everything from fatigue to serious illness. But for expectant moms it might actually be a magic drink. Some of the charming side effects of pregnancy are nausea, hypersalivation, and mucus membranes swelling, drying out and even bleeding. These are incredibly uncomfortable effects which can be relieved or even managed by having a cup of water with lemon. You can also choose to add other fruit essences, or go a step further and make a broth of your choosing.

Sparkling Water

One of the biggest culprits for most of the caffeine intake all over the world in the young and old is soda consumption. Many of our favorite fizzy drinks are loaded with caffeine and during pregnancy, thanks to cravings, it is very easy to overdo it. Usually the draw to fizzy drinks is the fizz itself and its scouring effect on the throat rather than the sugar hit. If that is all you might be looking for, then you can have a refreshing bottle on hand. A half juice, half sparkling water combination is surprisingly refreshing and could simulate that soda kick, without its dehydrating and over-caffeinated properties.

Coconut water 

With its mildly sweet flavor, this hydrating and nutritious beverage comes highly recommended by gynecologists the world over for its pH balancing properties. It also promotes good digestion while fighting heartburn and constipation, which are yet more side effects to being pregnant. And while it is refreshing going in, it might do your body a world of good while going out as it promotes kidney health while fighting common urinary problems.

Snacks 

Going without caffeine means you might not get that instant kick of energy which comes with a good espresso. But snacking is a good way around this. A  handful of nuts is able to give you the energy boost that you might have been looking for through that arduous afternoon slump. Dried fruit such as raisins are a ready source of energy. And for convenience purposes, you might grab a cereal bar or two and stash them for later.

When all is said, despite its limitations, pregnancy is a magical experience for those who choose it, and this is just one way to ensure that your pregnancy is not only a happy one but a healthy and safe one too.

Photos: weightlosswowfactor.com , CDC , lovingfruits.com,  Medical News Today,   Firstcry , naija.ng

One beloved past time that I truly miss from my home city of London has to be a visit to the pub (a bar, traditionally known as a Public House in the UK and other parts of the globe with a culturally specific aesthetic), to enjoy hop-fueled midweek “pub grub” and after-work drinks on a Friday night. Our friends across the pond, as well as our good friends to the east in Australia, share our love of pub culture although it may come in different variations.

Although the bars in Beijing far from resemble either the traditional pub or what has now become known as “gastropubs” in London and other cities (serving ale with revamped traditional English or fusion cuisine), a wave of trendy bars offering craft beers brewed on site, and burgers that incite prolonged “best burger in Beijing” debate, have arguably taken first position above the humble branded-beer-only watering-hole.

Queue: the new Great Leap Brewing (GL) in all its finery, nestled beneath the Nuo Center in Lido. GL #12 closed its doors back in May last year to the despair of many and has now become their corporate headquarters. News soon followed regarding their brand spanking new branch, and I for one was happy to know that an indulgent cheeseburger was only a few blocks away from home.

A slightly nautical looking bar adorns the middle of a quaintly intimate space, with wooden booths to the sides and some of the more familiar low sitting wooden benches and tables that encourage (and sometimes require) communal dining in the other two locations. Exposed brick and metal characterize the walls, and I especially love the Concrete Island that is the bar and their use of raw and natural materials to create a refined but rustic look.

The new GL Lido branch has had a few teething problems (no heat during their soft opening), is maybe a little on the difficult side to find when first setting out (there is no visible signage to or outside the property), but delivers yet again on a range of fragrant, crisp, malty, and peppery beers available on tap, including rotating Guest Beers and specialty menu items, such as The Reuben (RMB 95, see below). Like GL #45 in Liangmaqiao, the menu includes both a selection of burgers and New York style pizzas.

My go-to meal to partner the well-balanced Honey Ma Gold (RMB 35) has always been the coma-inducing cheeseburger (RMB 65), but with the introduction of their new weekday deal and a few recommendations, I now have an extended list of favorites.

From Monday to Friday you can choose any burger, salad or two slices of pizza and enjoy a free soft drink, Pale Ale #6 or craft ginger beer. Your meal should always commence with the Spinach and Cheese dip (RMB 40), a creamy delight, well-seasoned and laden with perfectly wilted buttery spinach. The first scoop, with what I have always described as the best in-house tortilla chips, will quickly lead to the last, but slow your roll and don’t give in to the temptation to order another, or you may regret it later when trying to tuck into your main.

Spinach and Cheese Dip

The beer battered fried chicken, albeit a little on the greasy side (RMB 40) – though I would argue that grease should always accompany a beer – are tuck-in-alicious and served with Spicy Mayo and Green Goddess Dressing. Another new try for me, were the crispy oyster mushrooms (RMB 45) that make a great addition to shared starters and a good option for vegetarians needing a fried-fix. Lightly peppered and earthy, there really is no need to reason why this should be added to your order.

Beer Battered Fried Chicken

The Reuben really was worth the cheeseburger trade-in. Melt in the mouth corn beef with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and toasted rye bread was indulgent and felt more like a filling continental brunch option. If burgers are not the order of the day on your visit, then this should be. If you go for any of the pizzas, you’d better like your cheese with a side of garlic. The Little Nunzio (RMB 130) is perfectly crisp and thin (like any good pizza should be), with hearty flavors such as the featured house-made sausage. However, make sure you’re happy to have your pizza laden with garlic, and of course omit this option on date nights!

The Reuben

The new Wabi-Sabi Japan Pale Ale (RMB 35), made with wasabi, was a lot subtler than I expected. I waited for a taste that packed a punch on the palate, but was left without the robust finish I was hoping for. Nonetheless, this craft creation that combines the styles of Pale Ale and IPA is pleasant enough. What I will order more of is the Mikkelle, Berliner Weisse Mango (RMB 40); fruity and tangy, and more reminiscent of a medium-dry cider. This one would be best enjoyed during Beijing’s long summer months, or you could just stay wrapped up and pretend you’re sipping this beverage while sitting under the sun. Finish off your meal with the Hand Crafted Apple Tart with vanilla ice-cream (RMB 40), which reminds me of a right-way-up tarte tatin and is YUM!

Hand Crafted Apple Tart with Vanilla Ice-Cream

A plus is the customer service, which has one-upped the other locations. Friendly, smiley staff in cool GL-branded tracksuit get-ups are always ready to assist you with a good command of the menu in English. The only thing you need to watch out for is enjoying this new haunt more than one ought to during the working week. Check out www.greatleapbrewing.com for more information on the different locations and menus.

Great Leap Brewing, Lido, Rm103, Nuo Center, A2 Jiangtai Road, Chaoyang District (010 64347221) 将台路甲2号诺金中心一层103室

Photos: Nicole Bonnah

The grand opening of the new Blow+Bar in Shunyi Pinnacle Plaza has to be postponed due to roof issues. The opening date is moved to the 5th of November and the grand opening party will held the 11th of November.

I am always ready to defend Shunyi. Shunyi has a great international community, I count many of the Shunyi mothers as my friends, and even though I sometimes dread the taxi ride there, I am always surprised by all of the fun things to do and family-friendly vibes. One common complaint I hear from the ladies in Shunyi is that a good haircut or some highlights is hard to come by and usually they have to travel to the city to get their luscious locks taken care of.

I come as the bearer of great news; my favorite city hair salon is opening a second location in Shunyi at Pinnacle Plaza. Blow+Bar is an award-winning salon from Singapore and has very skilled stylists. I always walk away happy and pampered with my hair. Multitasking is something we mothers have gotten very clever at, so while you get your hair done here, you can also have a nice glass of wine. We deserve it! The salon has a bar and provides wine or bubbles to get you into the party mood. It is the perfect unwinding experience to get your hair done while completely letting your hair down.

The first Beijing branch opened last year in Sanlitun and Ashely Soh the founder of Blow+Bar gave us some amazing numbers we could not have worded any better: “We have since done 1,250 blowouts, 912 colors, and perms, and served over 1800 glasses of wine and bubbly to happy people. Now ready for our second store. A nice cozy space of 93 square meters with nine seats, plenty of daylight, dark wood fittings and green, comfortable chairs. The opening of this new store marks our 5th store across three cities, (Singapore, Jakarta, and Beijing) while celebrating our 5th anniversary.”

The owner and founder of Blow+Bar told is in an earlier interview “We are very consumer oriented, so our styles and looks are created with the consumer in mind. Whereas most other hair salons create their styles with the hairdressers in mind; what the hairdressers are good at, and what they think is nice.” Soh is a mother of two boys, and she is always ready to pamper both men and women. Blow+Bar has some great deals in store for new clients of the salon. And will have a grand opening party on Saturday, the 4th of November. Check out the flyer below for details and get ready for a great hair day!

Pictures: Blow+Bar