3 Cocktails to Keep You Warm This January
In anticipation of the coming cold snap, we asked three of our favourite cocktail bars for their signature cold-weather drinks. After all, drinking may not be the answer, but it’s not a bad place to start.
Banana Whiskey from WA-SHU
First up is this drink from famed Japanese cocktail bar, WA-SHU. Tucked in a quiet alley in Da’an, WA-SHU is a tiny, dimly-lit space serving you up exclusively Japanese products in a classy but relaxed atmosphere. Though they boast an impressive array of Japanese spirits and beers, it is their cocktails that truly set them apart from the crowd: they all focus on a single flavour that is based on a spirit that they infuse in-house. For the ultimate experience, tell the bartenders what catches your fancy (check out their back wall of infused spirits for extra inspiration), relax, and see how rewarding it can be to experience one single flavour at its best . Our personal favourite is this Japanese whiskey infused with dried Taiwanese banana, which we were originally skeptical of, but fell in love with instantly. Due to its relatively small size and quality of the drinks,WA-SHU may not be the place to start a night of heavy partying, but it’s definitely one of our top picks for a date, or an intimate night out with friends.
WA-SHU
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8PM-2AM, Friday-Saturday 8PM-3AM
Chinese address: 大安區忠孝東路4段101巷39號A2
English address: A2, No. 39, Lane 101, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District
Drunken Beauty from Indulge Bistro
It should come as no surprise to see Indulge Bistro featured here, as it is currently number 28 on the World’s Best Bar 2017 list—the first of its kind in Taiwan. With three-time world champion mixologist Aki Wang at its helm, Indulge has the sort of innovative drinks menu that will immediately make you glad you came. Although they are on the pricey side, the cocktails are exquisitely presented and are well worth the visit. We recommend skipping dinner and going after 9PM, which is when the lights dim and it enters bar-mode. The Drunken Beauty, made with gin, Lady Grey tea, fresh lychee purée, lemon juice, elderflower nectar, and egg white may be a far cry from sitting next to a fireplace with a hot cup of tea, but it will serve as an excellent substitute.
Indulge Bistro
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 6PM-2AM, Friday-Saturday 6PM-3AM
Chinese address: 台北市復興南路一段219巷11號
English address: No. 11, Lane 219, Section 1, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Mulled Wine from R&D Cocktail Lab
It wouldn’t be winter without mulled wine, and R&D Cocktail Lab may just be our new favourite spot to indulge in this quintessential winter drink. Hidden away behind an unassuming grey door, this elegant speakeasy garners rave reviews from its many customers. R&D doesn’t have a drinks menu–simply tell the bartenders what you like, and they will use their impressive knowledge and array of both local and international ingredients to craft something perfectly suited to your taste. R&D gets bonus points from us for their strong drinks and sweet, attentive staff. We didn’t try their food menu, but have heard great things. Try to come early, as it can get crowded later on!
R&D Cocktail Lab
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 7PM-2AM, Friday-Saturday 7PM-3AM, Sunday 6:30PM-12:30AM
Chinese address: 台北市大安區嘉興街號
English address: No. 36, Jiaxing Street, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
