Raising the Bar: Ashen Mixes Up Cocktails in Shuangjing

I normally wouldn’t have a nice thing to say about a place where I have to stand at the bar for five minutes on a slow night waiting for my drink. However, Ashen’s meticulous attention to detail in the craft of cocktail preparation was a joy to behold.

I never begrudge a bartender taking his time to prepare me a drink when the construction phase is so action-packed. The glass was prepared and mounted atop an underlit bar panel; then the ice ball was shaved to fit; the cocktail-mixing itself was charged with masterful zesting and slicing, and the shoulder-dislocating cocktail dance that ensures the mix is fused to perfection.

Tight and tasty, my Old Fashioned was worth the wait, while my companion’s mojito hit just the right balance between mintily refreshing and zesty. And at a very reasonable RMB 45, I didn’t even dislike the worst part of a bar room transaction.

Also try: George’s, Mai

Ashen Daily 3pm-late. Unit 2-11, Bldg 2, Tianzhi Jiaozi, 31 Guangqu Lu (northeast corner of Shuangjing Qiao), Chaoyang District 朝阳区双井桥东北角广渠路31号院天之骄子2号楼底商2-11

By subway: 400m northeast of Shuangjing station (Line 10)

Click here to see the Beijinger August issue in full.

Photo: Mitchell Pe Masilun