Smashed No More: Our Favorite Mocktails in Beijing

Ana Padilla Fornieles | Jan 2, 2026 11:30 am | Add a comment | 98 reads

Dear reader, it is what it is—the holidays aren't generally a golden time for balance. If you live with family here, well, you're a lucky duck, and need I say more? But, even if you don't, it's hard to skip the excess. There's that office lunch, and then it's hard to merge separate groups of friends, so of course, you end up celebrating Christmas in waves, and then there is the booziness of New Year's Eve. For some, the frenzy actually started on Thanksgiving!

We've all had a full plate or two, and let's be real, our cups overfloweth, too. And you know what, a little indulgence here and there is good for the soul. With that being said, the body does crave a reset. You know the drill: eat your five-a-day, hit your protein and fiber goals, keep carbs moderate and your fats healthy…and lay off the booze for a bit. Some of you may be going big with Dry January, the month-long challenge to abstain from alcohol. Personally, I am content with being a bit more mindful about my choices.

Do I really want to drink alcohol right now? Or do I just want to hold a cold, fun drink while I socialize? If it's the latter, I may opt for a mocktail. I try to avoid conventional soft drinks, and kombucha isn't a given at bars just yet. Happily, good mocktails aren't that difficult to find nowadays in Beijing. They're yum, they're often cheaper than the alcoholic version, and if you go to the right place, they don't have to be laden with sugar and gross stuff.

To illustrate my point, I have been chatting to the lovely folks at some of my top venues in town. They gave me the 101 on their mocktails—some of which I order on a regular basis—as well as their personal favorites. Take notes and go sample one, or two, or all of them. You won't be getting buzzed! And do tell us about any other places you love in the comments! Virgin Bloody Mary? Some fantasy concoction that deserves more attention? Don't gatekeep and let us know!

Side Street

Raise your hand if you think Side Street has been absolutely killing it with their seasonal menus! Unbeatable price and quality ratio, but then again, you can't ever go wrong with them. Burgers, side dishes…and mocktails too! It's been a while since I dropped by for their amazing weekend brunch, and when I do, I know I'll be ordering a drink to chase down those Benny eggs. They've got five mocktails on their menu, priced RMB 56-60: Passionate Fruit, Passionate Mojito, Berry Mojito, Strawberry Love and Virgin Mojito. And what would be General Manager Daulèt's own choice?

Passionate Fruit is my signature favorite—vibrant, tropical, and effortlessly refreshing. It captures everything I love about passion fruit: that bright, tangy edge and aromatic fruitiness, without tipping into cloying sweetness. Every sip feels perfectly composed, striking a clean, crisp balance that's both lively and refined.

There you have it! For the time being, Side Street has two locations in Beijing: their Jianguomen branch, right next to the Friendship Store Complex and the one in Jiaodaokou (perfect for your hutong shenanigans!). But that's about to change with a third restaurant at Polpas Shopping Mall near the Olympic Park. They're aiming to open in January next year, so be sure to follow their official WeChat (ID: Side Street 街旁) for all the latest news!

Side Street Jianguomen branch
Bldg N28 2/101-102 17 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (behind Nola)
朝阳区建国门外大街17号楼2/101-102（Nola后面）
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 135 2195 8643

Side Street Jiaodaokou
113-02 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区交道口东大街113-02
Hours: 10am-midnight
Phone: 176 0088 1832

Golden Weasel

Tiny but mighty, Golden Weasel attracts a rather cosmopolitan crowd where the artsy, sophisticated types abound. But don't fret; they aren't stiff in the slightest, love themselves their fun and, if you're not in the mood for their impressive wine menu, which gets renovated on a regular enough basis…yup, that's right, they've got mocktails too. Two, to be more precise. My favorite? It has to be the Pomegranate Sizzle (石榴嘶嘶声 shíliú sī sī shēng), a uniquely satisfying elixir featuring pomegranate juice, lemon, homemade spicy honey syrup, and club soda, garnished with grapefruit.

As for the weasels running the show (ha!), they're partial to their Ginger Blast (姜风 jiāng fēng), a whirlwind of fresh homemade ginger juice ("for extra bite"), lemon, simple syrup, and club soda, garnished with a block of chewy ginger candy. I asked what makes or breaks a mocktail, and here's the answer I got…

Mocktails don't necessarily have to be "similar" to this or that cocktail or alcohol. I like mocktails that have a distinctive note, enhanced by complexity and balance. I go for the ones that stand out and make an indelible impression.

I agree wholeheartedly. And if you find yourself nodding in agreement and on your way to the Weasel anytime soon on a weekday, know that they have a fantastic deal with beloved Mexican restaurant Pebbles: ten tacos for RMB 108 plus delivery fee, which you can order to the bar. Why, don't you look at me like that. Yes, this post is vouching for healthier life choices in January, but I wasn't suggesting you gobble up all ten tacos yourself, you turkey.

Golden Weasel
125 Dongsi Bei Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街125号
Hours: Tue-Sun, 7pm-late (closed Mon)

Modernista

Long live to one of my absolute favorite digs in Beijing, an OG one too, one of the very few left from the golden days that many of us remember and raise our glasses to. Our teetotaler glasses, I mean. Because Modernista truly has it all: an agenda packed with wonderful events and parties, delicious food, impeccable retro vibes and a drink menu sure to satisfy everyone.

How many mocktails, you ask? Four, all fairly priced at only RMB 68, all excellent and, per manager and co-owner Nuria Cimini's own guarantee, made exclusively from natural, in-house ingredients. Let's see, there's a Pistachio Colada (菠萝狂想曲 bōluó kuángxiǎngqǔ), with oat milk, pineapple and homemade pistachio orgeat, though maybe you'll want to sample a Virgin Amaretto Sour (初夜 chūyè), with apple, lemon and almond orgeat. A third option would be their Orchard Slush (夏之雪 xià zhī xuě), a great combo of apple, banana, honey and celery, but if you need my absolute favorite, that would be their Orchid Cosmo (兰都会 lán dūhuì):

Orchid Cosmo is our own non-alcoholic take on a Cosmo, made simply but deliciously with three ingredients: fresh orange juice, litchis and butterfly pea flowers. The flowers react to the acidity of the orange and give the drink its distinctive, natural soft violet color.

Ah…dreamy. What's that I hear? Oh, you're asking me what comes after Dry January? Well, some people find it works well for them and stay in the no-booze club. But if you want a smooth transition into your regular habits, I will just say that Modernista has some low ABV options, all priced at RMB 78. Check your options below; I am eyeing that Tamarind Tea Cooler (加勒比汽茶冰 jālèbǐ qì chá bīng) something fierce. It makes me think of the summer…the summer of 2026. I can't believe we're already in 2026. Time sure does fly. So, on that note…Happy New Year, from us at the Beijinger to you! Cheers!