Snip the Sips: Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Beijing

Hair’s not the only thing that does well with being cut periodically – the same can be said for drinking as well. That’s no easy task, though, considering how many Beijing expat events revolve around alcohol. So, rather than have to drastically chop off all the fun and nights out, we just wanted a slight trim on our drinks order. We set out to find non-alcoholic options that give their liquored counterparts a run for their money.

In the bar

Is there a more daunting locale to turn down a drink? You’re surrounded by friends chatting over pints or watching trained bar staff meticulously add a bit of rum here and some whiskey there. At times like these, abstaining from alcohol can seem downright dull. Luckily, some bars offer options for the sober set that are just as well-crafted, and often even tastier.

At Twilight, flip past the tipples to the mocktails and try the Basil Apple Soda (RMB 50). A precise blend of homemade basil syrup, apple juice, lemon, and soda results in a drink that I found preferable to my drinking partner’s rum daiquiri. The light, crisp flavors allow the basil to stand out with its herbal licorice-like tang. Paper-thin apple slices top the drink, but if you want to nibble, grab them before they’re on the bottom with the leftover ice.

One of our favorite newcomers on the craft cocktail scene, Mai Bar, also offers delicious alcohol-free options. Go for their Ginger Highball (RMB 30), a blend of their in-house ginger beer (the adult equivalent of root beer that replaces sweet with spicy) mixed with elderflower syrup and lemon juice. On its own, ginger beer can make you feel like an amateur boxer getting in the ring with a heavyweight, but with a touch of fragrant sweetness and some acidity to add balance, the drink doesn’t pack as hard a punch.

In the restaurant

News of Q Mex’s authentic tostadas and taquitos has spread like wildfire, but what about the liquid side of the menu? Don’t miss their horchata (RMB 45), a traditional Mexican drink we haven’t found elsewhere in Beijing. The Sanlitun South eatery makes their version with a base of ground rice and almond, giving the drink a milky appearance but without the heavy creaminess of dairy. Vanilla and cinnamon spice up this ice-cold beverage that’ll help you cool off from the heat.

At Home Plate Bar-B-Que, the fresh-squeezed lemonade and Southern-style sweet tea are each commendable options, but why choose when you can get both in the same glass? The Arnold Palmer (RMB 20), made up of equal parts lemonade and iced tea, balances sweet and tart. Some may protest the very idea of barbecue without beer, but we think the golfer-inspired potable will leave you more room for the pulled pork and ribs.

Meanwhile, Central Park’s Obentos is winning us over with the fresh fruit in their drinks. The bento-box purveyor is known for its healthy lunch options, so it’s no surprise that their drinks follow suit. Fresh grapefruit soda (RMB 28) is a glass of pale pink carbonation with grapefruit pulp floating amid the ice. If you like tart over sweet, sip away. If, like me, you go for the 100 percent sugar option at iced tea stalls, pour in the side vessel of simple syrup or adjust to fit your own preference. As it should, the syrup balances out the grapefruit flavor instead of just adding sugariness. This concoction is one of the most refreshing drinks in the city – it’ll give you a boost before you head back out into the sweltering heat.

On the street

Nothing is as quaint and lowbrow as drinking on the street (particularly if there’s a brown bag involved). Trade in the Tsingtao and go for a local brand, Beijing’s own Beibingyang, aka Arctic Ocean Soda (RMB 3.5). Relaunched in 2011 after a 15-year hiatus, the brand’s David and Goliath story involves a Pepsi takeover, being phased out and eventually being bought back by the original owners.

The fizzy pop, which comes in orange and tangerine, is mainly found at local shops and restaurants. Expect more carbonation than the mainstream brands and a finish that’s more refreshing than the sickly-sweet syrupy taste of Sprite or Coke. Some vendors may allow you to take your drink away with a one kuai deposit, while others prefer you to finish the drink on the premises and hand over the bottle before leaving. In that case, just pull up a rickety stool or pick a spot on the curb and sip away.

Click here to see the Beijinger August issue in full.

Photos: Judy Zhou and Mitchell Pe Masilun